Armstron Turntable Handles

crij · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:15 am **Posts:** 585

Hello all,

As we approach the finishing of our table installation, a question has come up, and I was hoping those of you involved with Armstrong Turntables might be able to answer this.

What is the diameter of the handle in the grip area? Also please let us know if the handle is wood or metal. How high above the rail is the grip area.

Our plan is to recreate the bent metal one that the original table had (only have 1 photo showing the handle.

Thanks,

Rich Cizik
MoW Foreman
Blacksmith Shop Co-Head
Ct Eastern RR Museum
Willimantic, Ct 06226
www.cteastrrmuseum.org

Ted Miles · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:01 pm

Rich,

The Colorado Railroad Museum installed a duel gauge hand powered turntable a few years ago.

They might have some tips on what and where you should put your handles.

The only other hand powered ones that I know of are narrow gauge such as the Owens Valley replica turntables at the Nevada State Railroad Museum and the Orange Empire Railroad Museum.

Glad to hear that your project is moving forward.

Ted Miles

BML1149 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:38 pm

Rich, When I worked on the B&ML, we had 2 turntables, both armstrong. The Belfast table had steel handles about 2-1/2 inches in diameter and about 42 inches high. The table in Unity was an ex BAR table and had wooden handles. They were 6x6 and about 6 feet long. They were about the same height as Belfast. Congrats on your acheivement.
Leverett Fernald

Tom Richards · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:04 am **Posts:** 137

The ones at the East Broad Top are about 4" diameter, rise at about a 30 degree angle to the horizontal, and end about 48" above the ground. I'm not sure what difference narrow gauge vs broad gauge makes.

jasonsobczynski · **Posted:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:35 pm

The table used at "The Henry Ford" in their Greenfield Village is an armstrong and it is wonerfully ergonomic. Chris, what is the dia and height?

jbwest · **Posted:** Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:30 pm

Don't know that this will help, but it's at least a picture of an armstrong being turned. Doesn't look very ergonomic to me.

http://narrowgaugememories.com/v/aroundworld/latinamerica/FCI67onturntableMexcity900.jpg.html

John West

jasonsobczynski · **Posted:** Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:35 am

LOL! Indeed not, the bar is WAY low compared to the original(s) at the village. I am 6'3" and the bar was just a bit above my abdomen. Also, the table (with a 40tonish locomotive)could be turned by one adult and kept in motion literally with one finger when all was just so balance wise.

Chris Salmonson · **Posted:** Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:41 am

Sorry, I'm not there right now, and I can't guess the figures, but the handle is metal.
It does has a nifty new lock that resembles what was included in the drawings. Here's a picture from somebody's Flickr:

and here's video shot by a Cedar Point fellow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Px2G2hmWo