In my most recent post, I wrote about the consequences of my decision to install a turntable as part of the Kingston Plains terminus. It focused on the access issues associated with that decision but this missive provides a bit more information on the actual turntable installation.
I mentioned that I had purchased an Anton's Trains 60ft Steller turntable. This type of turntable or the 50ft alternative were found at many branch line stations in NSW. The model is mounted on a 300mm square polyurethane base. It needed to be trimmed slightly to fit on my baseboard. Styrofoam was added to raise it up to the matching levels and then my usual landscaping techniques were used to match the extension to the main Kingston Plain module. The static grass was added across the whole area to ensure a consistent appearance although I am still not happy with my efforts to conceal the gap between the extension and the rest of the module.
Weathering of the actual turntable was a relatively simple matter particularly as I could remove it for easier access. It was sprayed with several coats of Humbrol rust wash. I added additional weathering on the walkways to reflect a well worn timber decking.
I was less certain about how to scenic the internal bowl. Initially, I anticipated a fairly barren space with a number of grimy patches as locomotives, dropping grease and oil, were rotated over the ground. However, after looking at several photos, it was clear that grass did grow in this type of turntable well. Consequently, I added a cover of static grass (predominately late summer and autumn colours) over the previously grimed surface.
The turntable is rotated using a simple manual geared mechanism operated via the knob shown on the photo below left. After a bit of basic research, I purchased a Tam Valley Dual Frog Juicer and Auto-Reverser. It was easy to install on the underside of the extension and, to date, it has performed well.
The installation of the turntable is the final major feature to be added to the station area of Kingston Plains and also denotes the end of any significant new construction on Philip's Creek as a whole in its present location. As discussed in the preceding post, the layout's current location has no further opportunity for expansion and so, short of moving house, that's it for any further extension to the layout. In some respects this represents a sad point but I do have contingency plans just in case circumstances change but it will be a miracle of loaves and fishes magnitude if extra space becomes available in the foreseeable future.
Rather, it's now time to focus on the multitude of unfinished jobs around the layout. As can be seen from the photo below, there is a lot more detail to be added to the Kingston Plains module. Then there are backdrops around most of the layout to be installed or painted as well as plenty more trees to be planted, plus a refresh on some of the original scenery that is now around 20 years old. And that doesn't even contemplate operational and running issues. So no rest for the wicked!!
