TURNTABLE
KITS - general information
All prices quoted include VAT but please
refer to note on HOW
TO ORDER page.
We
are manufacturers of the Midland
Railway Centre
range of turntable
kits, now in their 25th year of production. The kits
are available in O gauge (7mm/ft.&
1/48 scale), and in 00
/ EM / P4, 4mm scale.
At present, the gauge 1 (10mm./ft. & 1/32 scale)
version is only available in Ready to Run form, but
a kit is in course of preparation.
In
addition, we produce two multi-scale kits - one suitable
for scales from N to 0 (narrow-gauge), and one for G-scale/LGB.
The
kits are produced to a high degree of precision, using
both etched and machined parts, as well as white metal
and lost-wax brass castings. Nut and bolt assembly of
the main structural components ensures speed and accuracy
of assembly, and jigs and gauges are provided to facilitate
positional accuracy of those components on which satisfactory
operation depends. Motorising kits are available for
each model in the range.
All
kits are compatible with DCC control systems. A comprehensive
set of illustrated assembly instructions is provided
with each kit. A good soldering iron (or miniature gas
soldering torch), plus the usual selection of kit-builders
hand-tools are all that is required for assembly, and
the kits should be well within the capability of the
average modeller.
Each
kit is complemented by an Installation Module, to enable
the turntable to be installed easily into the layout.
These modules consist of a series of boards of MDF (Medium
Density Fibreboard) and incorporate the pit or "well"
, together with the circular rail on which the turntable
rotates, the central pivot, and location for the motor
drive, if required.
PLEASE
ENQUIRE REGARDING DELIVERY TIMES ON READY-TO RUN (RTR)
MODELS.
TURNTABLE
KITS IN 4mm scale (00, EM, P4)
| COWANS
& SHELDON PRE-GROUPING STYLE |
 |
| Models
and photo by Andy Oldfield
The
kit is based on the style of turntable built by
Cowans & Sheldon, Carlisle. Although introduced
in Pre-Grouping days (pre. 1922), many survived
well into BR days (post 1948).
The
turntables were of the balanced type - the entire
weight of the locomotive being taken by the massive
centre bearing. Positioning the loco was critical
to achieve balance, as the table was pushed round
by hand. The model faithfully represents the characteristic
cross-timbered deck, the outboard wheel bearings,
and other fine detail such as handrails and locking
levers.
The
turntable is available for 00 (16,5mm), EM (18,2mm)
and P4 (18,83mm), and provision is made within
the kit to set the rails at the appropriate gauge.
Installation
is by means of the Turntable Installation Module
type TIM5, and motorisation is available using
Turntable Motorising Unit MU6B or Turntable Positioning
Unit TPU.
more |
TURNTABLE
KITS in Gauge 0 (7mm. scale) VIEW
GALLERY
| MODERN SHALLOW WELL TYPE |
The kit depicts the style of
turntable built by the Carlisle firm of Cowans
& Sheldon, and which were to be found at many
of the loco depots in the UK, including Kings
Cross, Camden, Crewe, Carnforth and Haymarket
(Edinburgh). The actual prototype for this model
was orignally installed at Fort William, but now
resides at Kidderminster on the Severn Valley
Railway.
They
were powered by vacuum motors, the vacuum being
derived from the steam locomotive's ejector. Some
were fitted with huge tanks, as shown in the photograph,
to enable "dead" locos to be turned,
or those not equipped with vacuum braking system.
They were technically known as articulated tables,
being hinged across the centre so as to distribute
the weight of the loco between the two sets of
carrying wheels and the centre bearing.
The
kit is constructed of copperclad laminate, etched
nickel-silver and brass, and is available with
or without vacuum tanks.
more |
| STANDARD
WELL TYPE |
 This
kit is based on the standard design of well turntable
supplied to railway companies world-wide by the
Ipswich based company Ransomes & Rapier from
the 1930s. The model depicts the hand-propelled
version, and is available in two sizes, 60 foot
(18,3metre) and 70 foot (21,3metre) diameter.
Construction
is of brass, nickel-silver, copperclad laminate
board and steel. Timber is supplied for the walkway
planking. The stiffening angles, which are used
to brace the main side frames, walkway supports,
frame stretchers and deck chequerplating are supplied
as nickel-silver etchings. Makers plates and load
restriction plates are also included.
Setting
bars are provided to ensure that the deck rails
are positioned centrally, and the laying of the
circular race rail on which the turntable rotates
is simplified by the provision of a machined radius
setting bar. The race rail is included in the
Installation Kit (see TIM3 kits).
more |
|
GWR OVER-GIRDER TYPE |
 This
kit represents the GWR style of hand-operated
over-girder turntable, 65ft. (19,8m.) in diameter.
Its features include full rivet detail, inner
and outer bracing struts with stiffening angles,
timber walkways along the tops of the side girders,
access ladders, locking levers, chequerplate decking
etc.
Construction
is of brass, (etched and machined), nickel-silver,
steel and copperclad laminate board.
Setting
bars are provided to ensure that the deck rails
are positioned centrally, and the laying of the
circular race rail on which the turntable rotates
is simplified by the provision of a machined radius
setting bar. The race rail is included in the
Installation Kit (see TIM3 kits).
Photo
- Loco: Dr. Mike Britton, Turntable: Mick
Payne
|
| PRE-GROUPING
STYLE WELL TYPE |
|  These
kits are based on the hand-pushed "balanced table"
design of well turntable, built by Cowans &
Sheldon of Carlisle, and used by all of the British
railway companies from pre-grouping days until
well into the 1930's when they were largely replaced
by the powered versions. However, many examples
of this type of turntable survived into BR days
at the smaller depots.
Photo
of 50' turntable on RAMSGATE HARBOUR layout by
Pete Smith
|
| WAGON
TURNTABLE |
| 
The model represents
the steel-plate type wagon turntable, 15ft. (4,6m.)
diameter. These were found in goods yards and
industrial sites where space restrictions were
such that conventional pointwork could not be
accommodated. Their lightweight construction meant
that locomotives were prohibited from traversing
them. Consequently, they were often used in locations
where shunting was performed by tractors, horses
or where capstan haulage of wagons was employed.
The table was turned by one of two methods: a
bar inserted into a socket provided a means whereby
the turntable could be rotated manually, or a
powered capstan was employed to turn the wagon
by means of a rope attached to one of a series
of bollards around the rim of the turntable plate.
The latter method is employed in the model. The
capstan would have been powered by its own electric
motor, or by underground shafting driven from
machinery in a nearby building.
|
| TURNTABLE
MOTORISING UNIT |
|
 This
unit provides a compact arrangement for powering
all turntables in the Midland
Railway Centre
range. In all cases, the motor is located beneath
the turntable base, and utilises a polyurethane
belt, driving a large diameter disk attached to
the turntable centre shaft. The slow output speed
of the motor, combined with the high ratio of
pulley diameters ensures a realistic turning speed,
even with the heaviest loco. Power for the motor
is usually derived from the loco controller. It
is recommended that a two-pole two-way switch
is used to feed current to the turntable rails
or turntable motor. This avoids the possibility
of the loco being moved whilst the turntable is
rotating (and vice versa)
|
| TURNTABLE
INSTALLATION KIT |
 |
To
facilitate location into the layout, a modular
Installation Kit is available for each of
the turntables in the range. These kits enable
the well and base to be constructed, and consist
of square MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard)
boards, 6,0mm thick, nickel silver rails,
slide-on chairs and pins, spacers and screws.
Plywood sheet is also supplied to form the
sidewalls and concave floor of the well. |
|
TURNTABLE
KITS (multi-scale / narrow gauge)
| MULTI-SCALE
TURNTABLE KIT |
|  This
versatile kit forms the basis of a range of turntables,
in scales N to O, whose diameter can be accommodated
within a 300mm x 300mm (12in. x 12in. approx.)
module. The turntable is of the type where the
well is covered by an overall circular deck.
The
turntable can be motorised by means of a slow-running
motor/gearbox mounted beneath the deck.
Two
standard deck diameters are available - 120mm
and 210mm, although, upon request, any diameter
can be supplied between these limits.
|
TURNTABLES
in Gauge 1 (10mm/1:32 scale)
| WELL
TYPE TURNTABLE (1930s style) |
| 
The model is based on the style of turntable introduced
by Ransomes & Rapier of Ipswich in the 1930s,
and installed all over the British railway system.
Propulsion was by hand windlass, electric or vacuum.
Two sizes are available - 60 foot and 70 foot
diameter * , and the model is suitable for use
with steam or electric (2-rail or stud contact)
locomotives
*
Illustrations show Aster A4 locomotive on 70ft.
version.
|
SIGNAL
KITS in gauge 0
| LMS
/ LNER / BR Tubular post, upper quadrant signals |
| SR Rail-built
post, upper quadrant signals |
| These
kits, originally introduced in 1984, but suspended
about ten years ago, are now becoming available
once again. The range will consist of the following:
LMS/LNER/BR
This style of signal, originally introduced by
the LMS in the 1930s, was also used by the LNER
and latterly by BR. Many examples are still in
use today. Post heights vary from 17ft. (5,2m)
to 36ft. (11m). Arm configurations - single arm,
double arm, single/double plus repeater, shunt
arm, home and distant. Post configurations
- single post, 2-doll branch left or right, 2-doll
equal cantilever, 3-doll junction.
SR
This style represents the type of signal
post built from bull-head rail, indigenous to
the Southern Railway. Single post only, single
or double arm, home distant or shunt (or combinations
of each). Post heights vary, but seldom in excess
of 33ft. (10m).
Kit
construction is of nickel silver and brass, with
white metal fittings (lamps, post caps). An actuator
kit will be available to enable signals to be
operated electrically. The actuator incorporates
a relay whose contacts may be wired to provide
interlocking and isolation of track sections in
accordance with the signal status.
LMS
/ LNER / BR |
| OSK1AB |
17ft.
post height, single arm. KIT
BUILDS 2 SIGNALS
Arm configuration is 2 x Home, or 2 x Distant,
or Home + Distant, or Home + Shunt, or Distant
+ Shunt
Available now. |
£24.00 |
| OSK1C |
Medium height post. Single or double arm. |
TBA |
| OSK1D |
Tall post. Single or double arm. Could be
built with low-level repeater. |
TBA |
| OSK2 |
2-doll bracket signal. Dolls positioned
either side of main post. |
TBA |
| OSK3 |
2-doll bracket signal. Branch doll off-set
to right or left of main post. |
TBA |
| OSK5 |
3-doll bracket signal. Dolls can be positioned
in any branch / main combination. 2 kits
would form ideal basis of a gantry. |
TBA |
SR |
| OSK8 |
Single post, rail-built. Single or double
arm |
£17.00 |
|
OTHER
ITEMS
| AXLE
ALIGNMENT TOOL (Gauge 0 / Scale 7 & Gauge
1) |
|  .
|
Used
to set the spacing and alignment of loco axles,
prior to fixing the bearings or axle-boxes into
position. The tapered ends accept coupling rod
crankpin holes of any diameter.
|
| |
| LOCOMOTIVE HANDRAIL
KNOBS |
| HK7
|
Gauge 0. Drilled 0,7mm dia. Shank
threaded M1. Brass. (pack of 20) |
£5.00 |
HK10 |
Gauge 1. Drilled 1.0mm. dia. Shank threaded M1,4.
Brass (pack of 20) |
£5.00 |
HANDRAIL
STANCHIONS As used
in our turntable kits. Use also for bridge parapets,
signal galleries, walkways etc. Drilled
for two handrails at scale heights of 0,5m &
1,0m. Lost-wax
brass
castings, with plain spigot for inserting into
a suitably sized hole. |
| HS7 |
Gauge 0. (pack of 10) |
£3.60 |
HS10 |
Gauge 1. (pack of 10) |
£3.60 |
| |
| WHEEL QUARTERING
JIG (32 - 45mm gauge) |
|  For
setting driving wheel crankpins exactly at 90
degrees. Suitable for use on wheels up to 80mm
diameter.
Note:
Axles must have centred ends.
|
| MODULAR
ROLLING ROAD |
| 
The
Rolling Road provides a convenient means of running-in,
fault-finding or dynamic testing of locomotives.
Available for gauge 0, 1, 3, 3.5in. & 5in.
The
unit consists of a number of modular components,
which are placed on a length of straight track
and positioned beneath the locomotive axles. In
the case of the smaller gauges, the modules are
split centrally, each half being isolated from
the other to enable electric locomotives to be
powered from the track. The unit is suitable for
locomotives of steam, diesel or electric outline.
The
5in. gauge version can also be used with 3.5in.
gauge.
The
gauge 1 version is now available with adjustable
braking on the rollers. This will enable the performance
of steam locos to be monitored under load.
|
| A-FRAME |
|  This
product has been developed to fulfil the need
for a quick, safe and convenient means of holding
gauge 1 locomotives - steam or electric - for
the purpose of servicing and adjustment.
|
| WORKING WATER
COLUMN (Gauge 1) |
 |
A water
column which actually works!
Water
is supplied from a low pressure container situated
below baseboard level, or by gravity from a high-level
tank.
The
flow is turned on and off by means of the control
valve, which is of scale appearance. Water-tight
rotation of the arm is achieved by means of a
swivelling joint below baseboard level.
The
model is based on the N.E.R. style of water column,
and is supplied as a kit of parts in brass, copper
and plastic, or as a fully built and painted model.
more |
| CORRUGATED STEEL SHEET -
various scales |
Enhance model buildings by the use of corrugated
sheet of scale thickness. Made from real steel
shim, it will rust just like the real thing unless
it is painted!
more |
| GAUGE
0 KITS & RTR MODELS
LOCOMOTIVE AND CARRIAGE & WAGON DRAWINGS
In addition
to our own range of products, we have a number
of items of gauge 0 rolling stock to offer. These
consist of new kits, pre-owned RTR items (some
professionally built and painted), and some locos
in need of completion or restoration.
More details
here |
|
