A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Have any questions or tips and advice on how to build those bits that don't come ready made.
Post Reply
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

I needed a 51ft turntable for Hawick so purchased the Midland Railway Centre (http://midrailcentre.com/4mm-scale-00-em-p4#anchor) 50ft turntable kit (which is supplied with sufficient rail length to cater for 51ft).

I also purchased the Motorising kit and the Installation kit. The latter comes standard as 300mm square but, as I had given up hope of the kit ever materializing, I had already built the baseboard and could only accommodate 260mm square, and this was supplied (at extra cost).
The 3 kits came in separate packages
The 3 kits came in separate packages
P1040808.JPG (136.73 KiB) Viewed 5215 times
The Installation kit comprised MDF boards (which were 300mm square, but machined for easy cut down to 260mm square) pre-drilled for ready assembly together with the driving disc.
The Installation kit comprised MDF boards (which were 300mm square, but machined for easy cut down to 260mm square) pre-drilled for ready assembly together with the driving disc.
P1040809.JPG (181.86 KiB) Viewed 5215 times
Plywood strips were supplied for the well wall, together with various labelled packs showing their respective contents.
Plywood strips were supplied for the well wall, together with various labelled packs showing their respective contents.
P1040810.JPG (166.74 KiB) Viewed 5215 times
The race rails were wrapped round the rim of the driving disc.
The race rails were wrapped round the rim of the driving disc.
P1040812.JPG (132.84 KiB) Viewed 5215 times
The Turntable kit itself was similarly packaged and labelled.
The Turntable kit itself was similarly packaged and labelled.
P1040813.JPG (169.83 KiB) Viewed 5215 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

Instructions were included with each of the kits – there were however some changes in materials specifications from those shown in the instructions.
The first thing to do was to cut out the 260mm boards from the 300mm boards resulting as shown (cutting mat not supplied!). The 3 boards are separated by appropriate spacers.
The first thing to do was to cut out the 260mm boards from the 300mm boards resulting as shown (cutting mat not supplied!). The 3 boards are separated by appropriate spacers.
P1040815.JPG (174.7 KiB) Viewed 5214 times
Because of my special size order I had to firstly attach the spacer pillars to the bottom board – which is shown upside-down.
Because of my special size order I had to firstly attach the spacer pillars to the bottom board – which is shown upside-down.
P1040817.JPG (170.43 KiB) Viewed 5214 times
Screws were then inserted to go through the spacers into the bottom of the middle board.
Screws were then inserted to go through the spacers into the bottom of the middle board.
P1040818.JPG (166.18 KiB) Viewed 5214 times
The middle and bottom boards are now attached to each other.
The middle and bottom boards are now attached to each other.
P1040819.JPG (129.23 KiB) Viewed 5214 times
The 8 pieces forming the well floor were trial-fitted (despite the image suggesting unevenness they were perfectly level as the dark colours are just colouration on the edge of the wood).
The 8 pieces forming the well floor were trial-fitted (despite the image suggesting unevenness they were perfectly level as the dark colours are just colouration on the edge of the wood).
P1040820.JPG (160.51 KiB) Viewed 5214 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

PVA was used to glue in the well floor.
PVA was used to glue in the well floor.
P1040821.JPG (167.32 KiB) Viewed 5214 times
The finished floor looked like this.
The finished floor looked like this.
P1040822.JPG (145.97 KiB) Viewed 5214 times
A gauge is supplied to aid the drilling of holes for the pins that will support the race rails. I decided to use it together with a propelling pencil to draw a full circle indicating the track of the race rails.
A gauge is supplied to aid the drilling of holes for the pins that will support the race rails. I decided to use it together with a propelling pencil to draw a full circle indicating the track of the race rails.
P1040824.JPG (163.72 KiB) Viewed 5214 times
Holes were drilled to accommodate the pins for the race rails.
Holes were drilled to accommodate the pins for the race rails.
P1040825.JPG (123.63 KiB) Viewed 5214 times
Chairs had to be threaded on to the race rails – a fiddly job as some went on easily and others were really reluctant to go on. Many a search of the floor was undertaken looking for those that had just “pinged” away.
Chairs had to be threaded on to the race rails – a fiddly job as some went on easily and others were really reluctant to go on. Many a search of the floor was undertaken looking for those that had just “pinged” away.
P1040827.JPG (174.03 KiB) Viewed 5214 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

The gauge has a slot in it to hold the rails in place as they are soldered to the pins.
The gauge has a slot in it to hold the rails in place as they are soldered to the pins.
P1040828.JPG (113.55 KiB) Viewed 5211 times
The chairs have to be spaced out between the pins prior to soldering.
The chairs have to be spaced out between the pins prior to soldering.
P1040829.JPG (169.41 KiB) Viewed 5211 times
I used heat-sinks to avoid melting the chairs.
I used heat-sinks to avoid melting the chairs.
P1040830.JPG (152.76 KiB) Viewed 5211 times
The race rails are in the final stages of completion , just some of the chairs needing spacing out before super-glueing.
The race rails are in the final stages of completion , just some of the chairs needing spacing out before super-glueing.
P1040831.JPG (177.52 KiB) Viewed 5211 times
With the race rails complete the top board was attached by screwing through the white nylon spacers into the middle board.
With the race rails complete the top board was attached by screwing through the white nylon spacers into the middle board.
P1040832.JPG (152.7 KiB) Viewed 5211 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

All 3 boards are now attached to each other.
All 3 boards are now attached to each other.
P1040833.JPG (130.11 KiB) Viewed 5210 times
and PVA is applied to the inner rim
and PVA is applied to the inner rim
P1040834.JPG (162.69 KiB) Viewed 5210 times
to secure the well wall.
to secure the well wall.
P1040835.JPG (159.34 KiB) Viewed 5210 times
On completion attention turned to the turntable itself
On completion attention turned to the turntable itself
P1040836.JPG (153.65 KiB) Viewed 5210 times
and cutting out the etched parts.
and cutting out the etched parts.
P1040838.JPG (218.24 KiB) Viewed 5210 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

The centre stretcher was attached first using the 12BA nuts & screws supplied – very fiddly, and I found the best technique was to position the screw pointing upwards and then balance the nut on top using tweezers. I very gently “teased” the nut round with a jeweller’s screwdriver until it sank on the thread and could then be fully screwed.
The centre stretcher was attached first using the 12BA nuts & screws supplied – very fiddly, and I found the best technique was to position the screw pointing upwards and then balance the nut on top using tweezers. I very gently “teased” the nut round with a jeweller’s screwdriver until it sank on the thread and could then be fully screwed.
P1040842.JPG (183.4 KiB) Viewed 5208 times
The centre stretcher was followed by the 2 inner stretchers
The centre stretcher was followed by the 2 inner stretchers
P1040844.JPG (160.39 KiB) Viewed 5208 times
and the long plywood strips were cut to the width of the deck<br />The first strip was glued starting in the middle
and the long plywood strips were cut to the width of the deck
The first strip was glued starting in the middle
P1040845.JPG (146.05 KiB) Viewed 5208 times
As I went along I realized that the thickness of the plywood strips was not uniform but this wouldn’t really matter at the end of the day. Spaces have to be left in four places so that the deck can eventually be attached to the main frame assembly.
As I went along I realized that the thickness of the plywood strips was not uniform but this wouldn’t really matter at the end of the day. Spaces have to be left in four places so that the deck can eventually be attached to the main frame assembly.
P1040846.JPG (176.97 KiB) Viewed 5208 times
The strips at each end overlapped the curved deck ends and had to be trimmed off.
The strips at each end overlapped the curved deck ends and had to be trimmed off.
P1040848.JPG (167.39 KiB) Viewed 5208 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

The centre locating bush was soldered on
The centre locating bush was soldered on
P1040852.JPG (135.9 KiB) Viewed 5196 times
and attention turned to the wheel-frames - my soldering isn’t the prettiest at times but they cleaned up reasonably well,
and attention turned to the wheel-frames - my soldering isn’t the prettiest at times but they cleaned up reasonably well,
P1040853.JPG (186.52 KiB) Viewed 5196 times
and were partially bent up before
and were partially bent up before
P1040854.JPG (166.84 KiB) Viewed 5196 times
fully bending and attaching (more fiddly 12BA work) to the outer stretcher and mainframes
fully bending and attaching (more fiddly 12BA work) to the outer stretcher and mainframes
P1040855.JPG (110.9 KiB) Viewed 5196 times
2 sets of wheel-frames are included in the etchings – one for the 60ft model and one for the 42/50ft models. You can see “42/50” etched into the wheel-frame so you can’t go wrong (more of this later!).
2 sets of wheel-frames are included in the etchings – one for the 60ft model and one for the 42/50ft models. You can see “42/50” etched into the wheel-frame so you can’t go wrong (more of this later!).
P1040857.JPG (109.63 KiB) Viewed 5196 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

Now starting to look more the part.
Now starting to look more the part.
P1040858.JPG (147.26 KiB) Viewed 5197 times
I cut the rails to around 210mm (which allows for final trimming to 204mm) and started attaching the chairs to the deck rails – the same story of “pinging” away – although I was quite pleased to have only had to give up on trying to find one of them!
I cut the rails to around 210mm (which allows for final trimming to 204mm) and started attaching the chairs to the deck rails – the same story of “pinging” away – although I was quite pleased to have only had to give up on trying to find one of them!
P1040859.JPG (185.07 KiB) Viewed 5197 times
The deck come pre-drilled for the pins to which the deck rails are attached and also to accept the 3 gauges that ensure correct width between the rails.
The deck come pre-drilled for the pins to which the deck rails are attached and also to accept the 3 gauges that ensure correct width between the rails.
P1040860.JPG (177.37 KiB) Viewed 5197 times
The first pin is about to be soldered to the deck rail.
The first pin is about to be soldered to the deck rail.
P1040864.JPG (185.39 KiB) Viewed 5197 times
The deck rails are now complete with the chairs having been spaced out and glued firm. (Spaces have to be left in the deck ties to enable ultimate attachment of the deck to the turntable body.)
The deck rails are now complete with the chairs having been spaced out and glued firm. (Spaces have to be left in the deck ties to enable ultimate attachment of the deck to the turntable body.)
P1040865.JPG (196.08 KiB) Viewed 5197 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

The fitting of the bracing angles to the side frames was next to be tackled – these had to be cut to length and soldered in place – I didn’t find it easy to do a good job of holding the bits together whilst soldering and keeping things neat!
The fitting of the bracing angles to the side frames was next to be tackled – these had to be cut to length and soldered in place – I didn’t find it easy to do a good job of holding the bits together whilst soldering and keeping things neat!
P1040866.JPG (125.22 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
Almost finished one length.
Almost finished one length.
P1040867.JPG (171.14 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
Scrubbed up not too badly.
Scrubbed up not too badly.
P1040868.JPG (138.71 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
The top angle has been attached and now it’s the turn of the vertical “T” sections. For some reason I found these most difficult to solder and can’t help thinking it would have been much easier to super-glue them instead.
The top angle has been attached and now it’s the turn of the vertical “T” sections. For some reason I found these most difficult to solder and can’t help thinking it would have been much easier to super-glue them instead.
P1040870.JPG (192.13 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
Finished thank goodness!
Finished thank goodness!
P1040872.JPG (187.58 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

Time for the handrails to be fitted – posts soldered to the underside of the deck and wire super-glued in place.
Time for the handrails to be fitted – posts soldered to the underside of the deck and wire super-glued in place.
P1040874.JPG (153.47 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
It was only later that I looked at my solitary photo of Hawick turntable and realised that it only has 1 handrail, so some surgery may well be performed in due course!
It was only later that I looked at my solitary photo of Hawick turntable and realised that it only has 1 handrail, so some surgery may well be performed in due course!
P1040875.JPG (183.91 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
The wheels – without doubt the most difficult operation of the lot!!! (Not helped by the instructions incorrectly stating that the axle bush flanges should be outwards, whereas they should be inwards.) Try as I could, there was no way that I could get the wheels to fit properly as they would only run at an obscene angle to the race rail.
The wheels – without doubt the most difficult operation of the lot!!! (Not helped by the instructions incorrectly stating that the axle bush flanges should be outwards, whereas they should be inwards.) Try as I could, there was no way that I could get the wheels to fit properly as they would only run at an obscene angle to the race rail.
P1040879.JPG (157.24 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
I therefore decided to try the 60ft wheel-frames supplied with the kit and my gut instinct proved to be correct - the wheel on the left is using the 60ft wheel-frame and that on the right is using the 42/50ft version. So it was a case of changing the other 3 to the 60ft version, and they all ran at an acceptable angle on the race rail.
I therefore decided to try the 60ft wheel-frames supplied with the kit and my gut instinct proved to be correct - the wheel on the left is using the 60ft wheel-frame and that on the right is using the 42/50ft version. So it was a case of changing the other 3 to the 60ft version, and they all ran at an acceptable angle on the race rail.
P1040889.JPG (201.01 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
What I did find however was that one wheel was around 1mm above the race rail – it was necessary to do something about this as the deck rails derive their current from the 2 isolated race rails. (I think I might have induced some stress to the main framework when too vigorously cleaning up the soldering on the side frames, and that accounted for the imbalance.)<br />My remedy was to elongate the holes in the wheel-frame so that it dropped lower, and the wheel made contact with the race rail.
What I did find however was that one wheel was around 1mm above the race rail – it was necessary to do something about this as the deck rails derive their current from the 2 isolated race rails. (I think I might have induced some stress to the main framework when too vigorously cleaning up the soldering on the side frames, and that accounted for the imbalance.)
My remedy was to elongate the holes in the wheel-frame so that it dropped lower, and the wheel made contact with the race rail.
P1040895.JPG (135.22 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

I attached the builder’s plates with super-glue – just didn’t fancy the hassle of cleaning up soldering!
I attached the builder’s plates with super-glue – just didn’t fancy the hassle of cleaning up soldering!
P1040899.JPG (199.35 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
The centre third of the underside of the deck was covered with Sellotape to prevent shorting before attaching it to the side frames assembly. A short wire was soldered to the 2 opposite end and side protruding deck rail pins and the stretchers to permit conductivity between the wheels and the deck rails.
The centre third of the underside of the deck was covered with Sellotape to prevent shorting before attaching it to the side frames assembly. A short wire was soldered to the 2 opposite end and side protruding deck rail pins and the stretchers to permit conductivity between the wheels and the deck rails.
P1040900.JPG (150.99 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
Holes for each of wires leading to the race rails were drilled and wires soldered in place.
Holes for each of wires leading to the race rails were drilled and wires soldered in place.
P1040906.JPG (161.49 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
The deck starts to take on more character as the locking lever plates are glued in place and the first chequerplate panels are glued on top of the plastic strip insert between the rails.
The deck starts to take on more character as the locking lever plates are glued in place and the first chequerplate panels are glued on top of the plastic strip insert between the rails.
P1040910.JPG (164.34 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
Chequerplating complete and definitely looking more the part now.
Chequerplating complete and definitely looking more the part now.
P1040912.JPG (173.92 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

Another fiddly job was building up the locking lever bracket
Another fiddly job was building up the locking lever bracket
P1040914.JPG (126.62 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
and fitting it – I was quite pleased that I managed to do it so that the locking lever can be moved from one extremity to the other.
and fitting it – I was quite pleased that I managed to do it so that the locking lever can be moved from one extremity to the other.
P1040915.JPG (191.05 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
The push bars were soldered to their pivot plates which in turn were glued to the deck – all resulting in the completed deck.
The push bars were soldered to their pivot plates which in turn were glued to the deck – all resulting in the completed deck.
P1040917.JPG (215.17 KiB) Viewed 5195 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

On to the motorizing kit –
The motor has been attached to its mounting box and the motor pulley has been pushed on to the gearbox shaft.
The motor has been attached to its mounting box and the motor pulley has been pushed on to the gearbox shaft.
P1040927.JPG (133.1 KiB) Viewed 5194 times
The 2 tensioner pulleys are now fitted.
The 2 tensioner pulleys are now fitted.
P1040928.JPG (187.81 KiB) Viewed 5194 times
The hub has been attached to the driving disc
The hub has been attached to the driving disc
P1040929.JPG (148.45 KiB) Viewed 5194 times
by means of 4 screws on its reverse.
by means of 4 screws on its reverse.
P1040930.JPG (179.34 KiB) Viewed 5194 times
The driving belt was a most enjoyable challenge and experience – it came in the form of a length of thermo-plastic “wire” which had to be cut to length and then fused together. The instructions suggested a jig be prepared, consisting of a groove in which to insert the 2 ends of the belt and with a wide saw cross-cut.
The driving belt was a most enjoyable challenge and experience – it came in the form of a length of thermo-plastic “wire” which had to be cut to length and then fused together. The instructions suggested a jig be prepared, consisting of a groove in which to insert the 2 ends of the belt and with a wide saw cross-cut.
P1040932.JPG (189.1 KiB) Viewed 5194 times
Top
Ex-Pat
Posts: 2201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:51 pm
Location: Newry Northern Ireland

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by Ex-Pat »

A piece of nickel-silver (salvaged from the etchings) is wrapped round the bit of a soldering iron to form a blade and well heated. It is then placed in the cross-cut and the 2 ends of the belt are pressed against it until they start to melt. At this point the blade is removed and the 2 ends quickly pressed together and held together for about a minute until the weld cools.
A piece of nickel-silver (salvaged from the etchings) is wrapped round the bit of a soldering iron to form a blade and well heated. It is then placed in the cross-cut and the 2 ends of the belt are pressed against it until they start to melt. At this point the blade is removed and the 2 ends quickly pressed together and held together for about a minute until the weld cools.
P1040934.JPG (135.51 KiB) Viewed 5193 times
The resultant weld has to be trimmed to form a smooth uniform belt
The resultant weld has to be trimmed to form a smooth uniform belt
P1040933.JPG (221.2 KiB) Viewed 5193 times
Certainly getting there now.
Certainly getting there now.
P1040935.JPG (157.63 KiB) Viewed 5193 times
The transverse beam through which the motor goes has now been fitted, (I found the motor was too tight a fit to go through one way so had to do it the other way but can’t remember now which way round it was!) this is looking down on the underside of course and you can see the 2 current feeds to/from the race rails
The transverse beam through which the motor goes has now been fitted, (I found the motor was too tight a fit to go through one way so had to do it the other way but can’t remember now which way round it was!) this is looking down on the underside of course and you can see the 2 current feeds to/from the race rails
P1040936.JPG (197.54 KiB) Viewed 5193 times
Here we see the driving belt coming out of the driving disc and round the tensioner pulley and drive shaft pulley.
Here we see the driving belt coming out of the driving disc and round the tensioner pulley and drive shaft pulley.
P1040937.JPG (147.8 KiB) Viewed 5193 times
So, that’s the actual kit construction finished – just got to actually install it into the layout (and that is covered in my layout thread).

There are still a few tweaks needed to get it working perfectly and of course it needs painting, but I am pleased with the outcome – wouldn’t particularly wish to do it again mind!

I do think however that the instructions could do with a few more illustrations
Top
User avatar
carnehan
Posts: 1319
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:44 pm

Re: A Midland Railway Centre Turntable for Hawick

Post by carnehan »

That is incredible Ex-Pat. I had difficulty building the Peco turntable and it wasn't motorised either. This is a step above - the etched turntable version of a locomotive I should guess.

Can't wait to see it on the layout thread and painted up too. :D

Paul
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Scratch and Kit building”