The Turntable Bridge

The working part of a turntable is the bridge, which is exactly what it is -- a bridge connecting the rails on two sides of the pit.  In the case of the East Broad Top turntable in Rockhill, Pennsylvania, the bridge is composed of two steel girders held together by steel cross struts.  A few years ago, the EBT tore up the bridge tracks and ties and rebuilt the turntable.  Along the way, they also serviced the bearing on which the table turns.  Here is a photo of  the bridge partially disassembled:

The bridge turns on a central bearing that is so well balanced that two men can turn the turntable by hand.

Like its twin, the 65 foot Durango turntable in Colorado, the EBT turntable came equipped with a compressed air motor that could be operated by connecting a hose to the locomotive brake line.   However, there is no evidence that the motor was ever used.  During the restoration of the turntable, it was possible to see the compressed air motor.

From above, here is a view of the turntable bearing.

The rails sit on sleepers supported on the two main girders of the turntable.

Planks are laid over the sleepers on either side of the track and between the rails.   The handrails are made from iron pipe. Unlike the Durango turntable, the railings are not inclined away from the track, but are vertical.  In the following photograph, you can see one of the stout timbers used by the engine crew to push the turntable by hand. A similar lever is located on the opposite side.  Note also the stains on the sides of the pit made by rusty runoff from the tracks.  The circular rail that supports the ends of the bridge is ballasted with stone, while the interior of the pit floor is covered with gravel and weeds.

The turntable kit made by Kitwood Hill Models resembles both the Durango and Rockhill turntables.   The girders are made by laminating several layers of laser ply, and are joined by wooden spacers.   Rather than laying individual sleepers, the top of the turntable is a single unit which fits snugly over the girders.  Flex track fits into slots on the top, which is then covered by laser cut planking.  In the next installment I will detail the construction of the bridge and show its installation in the pit.