HOn3 65ft Durango Turntable

HOn3 65ft Durango turntable. 

Next batch for shipping in November has started manufacture.

At the moment, if you want one (or 2), then please use the contact page so I can reserve one (or 2) for you.

When they are all made it will be a free-for-all and you might miss out. 

I can fit 2 in a single shipment, so max per order is 2. shipping for 1 is £17.20, shipping for 2 is £20

KIT price is £75. That's about $97 US dollars today.

THIS KIT IS REDESIGNED FOR "DIRECT DRIVE" FROM A GW370 STYLE 0.6RPM GEARED MOTOR.

THE KIT HAS NO MOTOR!!! 

MOTOR READILY AVAILABLE ON EBAY FOR AROUND £10 to £15, usually with free shipping. (Also sometimes Amazon)

KIT INCLUDES A SHAFT COUPLER, and MOTOR SCREWS,  BUT NOT THE MOTOR. You will have to buy that yourself.

Model dimensional features:

The kit is in the style of the Durango turntable. I have spent a lot of time searching for drawings, studying pictures and tried to get the kit as close as I can as the real thing for 3.5mm/ft within functional and cost limitations. The intention for the kit is that it is a reliable, affordable, functional turntable that is easy for an average modeller to assemble and looks "right" with a Durango flavour.   The wheels I have to confess are "made up". I have found no drawings of that detail, and all the pictures I have found are fuzzy under the deck. I have made them as I have seen them in pictures: small and discrete. 

Lets have a look at the detail.....

* Bridge is as per the Durango drawings I have for length and profile. I have had to compromise on the separation of the frames - they are 6mm wider than they should be due to the PCB rings used for the contacts. (the anticipated kit volume does not justify an expensive respin of the PCB).

* Bridge side panel overlays that simulate the iron girders of the original have scale plate sizes and number of the original. Ideally this would be a resin cast overlay but I do not have that manufacturing capability. If someone wants to make a overlay casting complete with rivot detail then please get in touch!

* Deck width is correct at 50mm. deck planking is correct for HOn3. The deck follows pictures from the prototype around 1965 where the stanchions come out from cuts in the deck, rather than modern pictures where the stanchions are on the outside. (have a "google" and you'll see what I mean)  HOn30 and 009 decking will look appropriate for the 9mm gauge.

* Deck cross ties are the correct number (32) according to drawings and pictures that are dated 1965, and as close to 8"x8" timbers as I can get them. (actually come out to a scale 9"x9"). It seems the deck and bridge timbers have been replaced since the sixties as modern pictures have more ties, closer together.  I have cut them from a single piece for 3 reasons: 1) you can only see the ends when the deck planking is in place. 2) the single piece adds to torsional rigidity of the bridge frame 3) I want to offer an easy-to-assemble kit, not a bag full of sticks!

* Durango style angled deck stanchions , as well as "vertical" stanchions. handrail wire included.

* I've added the air motor and operating deck that drives the bridge wheels. (Air is taken from the loco being turned in the real thing). The "motor" is made up from laser cut parts and is a fair representation of the shape of the unit. It does the job from reasonable viewing angles. This can be omitted entirely. (like more expensive kits have done)

* Pit depth is as per Durango drawings at the bridge support rail and at the centre. The Durango turntable pit wall is a rather cracked concrete wall. As I am cutting from wood, the edge panels are easily bent strips of ply that glue in place around the wall under the edge rim, and then the surface can be treated to taste. Its an opportunity to make your own "cracked concrete". We are modellers after all!

Turntable operational features:-

* designed for 0.6RPM GW370 style motor gearbox . Search EBAY for "0.6RPM motor geabox" usually £10-£12 with free shipping. also found sometimes on Amazon.  I cannot provide this for you.

Motor is NOT in the kit.  The shaft coupler to connect it is included , and so are the 4 M3 screws needed to hold it in place.

* Pre-assembled turning plate with contacts that transfers rotation and power to the bridge as per the On30 kit. with a milled brass insert that holds the 4mm primary shaft which is both pinned and glued. It works without slipping!

* Bridge rails....rail assembly is a strip of track H0n3 or HOn30/009 track, the "ties" sit in the holes of the deck tie frame. The track is no longer included. The base of the rails sit directly on the tie frame. it is easy to centres the track and glue into place. You can't see any of this when the planking is in place!

* Pit is made up from, laser ply plates with a bracing panel and an additional ring carrying the support rail at the right height. All self-aligning with holes and 2mm axles (supplied).

* Bridge support rail in the pit uses a jig to obtain a good circular rail correctly centred in the pit. Circular perfection is not really needed because the bridge wheel design can accommodate a lot of "assembly tolerance" without fouling.

* pit inside diameter = 231mm.

* pit support ring (outside diameter around the top) = 254mm

* pit hole required = 245-247mm (use the pit base as a template to cut the required circular hole)

below is a cross section of the pit and bridge showing the depth with new steel gearing and more powerful low rpm motor.

Instructions are many photos with explanations, taking you through the build step by step. its not a difficult kit to assemble - just go slow and steady and you'll have a great outcome. Instructions are now pdf only and will be emailed to you when you place your order. Electrons are free!!