Vilas County Lumber Company turntable plan set

Turntable plan set in 1:24 scale
Vilas County Lumber Company
12306 Lakeview Trail
Homer Glen IL 60491
Prices: $18; plans only, $13;
free shipping
Website: www.VCLCo.com

Photos of eight different turntables; full-size plans for 1:24-scale 60′ Lassig turntable; eight 9 1/2″ x 13″ pages and three 13″ x 19″ pages; spiral bound; printed in color; computer-generated drawings; fraction/decimal/millimeter chart included; company catalog included

Pros: Interesting prototype photos of eight different turntables; all parts numbered and cross referenced; relatively easy-to-understand drawings; dimensions are in actual inches for 1:24 scale
Cons: Some photos very light and not very clear; part’s materials not always clear; if you want to lay the sheets side by side, you’ll have to remove them from the spiral binding

This latest document from Vilas County Lumber Company, entitled Building a Model of a 60′ Turntable: Pictures and Drawings of Eight (8) Turntables, is a spiral-bound booklet containing two sizes of page— eight 91/2″ x 13″ pages and three 13″ x 19″ pages. As the title suggests, the booklet begins with seven pages of drawings and (mostly) photos of several different turntables, from an 80′ unit built for the Union Pacific by the American Bridge Company in 1911 to a tiny, rudimentary turntable used manually to turn narrow-gauge logging trams. This is followed by drawings and full-size templates for a 60′-long Lassig Bridge Company (Chicago) turntable in 1:24 scale.

There are painting suggestions and a page that gives suggestions for wiring the turntable for two-rail operation. A parts list for building the turntable primarily out of styrene follows. This includes suggested manufacturers, part numbers (listed under “Materials”), and dimensions and other notes. Full-size templates for the side plates and all internal bracing are also provided.

The drawings are not organized in any obvious way. With careful perusal and study, I believe enough information is provided for a modeler to be able to construct a fine and accurate model of a large steel turntable. I would like to have seen more explanitory text concerning some of the assemblies, especially concerning the foundation below the pit rail and the pit walls. Suggestions and drawings are offered for the central pivot (use a bicycle hub).

The color drawings are all computer generated and are clear and easy to read. Some perspective drawings clearly show the workings of some of the parts of the turntable. Dimensions are in actual decimal inches for 1:24 scale. All in all, there is a great deal of information contained in this document, and it would be of considerable value to someone with advanced modeling skills who is interested in building a working scale model of a turntable.