I figured it was time for a happy picture -- parents and kids riding on the turntable at Spencer, NC the other day.



With a couple of grandsons I've ridden the turntable at Jackson Street Roundhouse (St. Paul). Where else can you get a spin?

Marty -

When the wife and I rode behind 2-6-0 #201 on the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas a number of years ago, they allowed riders on the turntable when the Panama Mogul was being turned once back in Eureka Springs. The ES&NA has not been running steam for a number of years now, so don't know if they turn the diesel when it returns from its run so don't know if turntable "rides" are still given.

Les

I remember a some disc jockey at a radio station years ago called a roundhouse operator with a prank call saying he had a 100 foot diameter record he wanted to play. He asked if their turntable could run 33 1/3rd rpm, the yardman said you'd be lucky if you got 1/2 rpm. It was a funny call.

The question reminds me of an odd site I saw on a travel program many years ago. There was a fairly small merry go round, with what looked like a locomotive and cars, instead of horses. Not a train on a circular track, much smaller. The "coaches" were quite short, and curved to create the circular radius of the merry-go-round.

It was obviously a merry ground that simulated a train ride. It was also apparent it was custom built as that, due to the short length and curved body of the coaches. I'm not sure but it's possible the engine was actual steam. They only showed a brief glimpse, and I have no technical details. It was pretty much a 5 second shot that left me going "What was THAT?"

Anyone ever seen or heard of anything like this?

I think the Danbury Railroad Museum gives turntable rides to visitors, although the lead track is in such poor condition they can't use the table to turn locomotives or cars

I've seen folks getting a ride on the turntable in Frostburg Maryland. Now that i think of it there was a complete orchestra that performed on a turntable in the midwest and was then turned during the finale!

Brian

Where are the turntables -- the ones people can see and maybe ride? I'm sure I missed some, but here's my list. The three *s are for the three tables I have not seen.

In my mind the best is in the B&O Museum, Baltimore.

At state museums in California (Sacramento and Jamestown*), Nevada (Carson City), and North Carolina (Spencer).

Jackson Street Roundhouse Museum in St. Paul.

Steamtown.

Colorado Railroad Museum.

Orange Empire has a 3 foot gauge strong arm table.

Age of Steam in Ohio (potentially accessible).*

The Roundhouse Railroad Museum in Savanah, GA.

East Broad Top.

There are streetcar/cable car turntables in San Francisco and Dallas*.

Is the ex-CB&Q turntable at Aurora, IL accessible?

My most memorable steam moment was about twenty years ago. I had taken my kids up to EBT. We got there late in the afternoon, when they were taking the loco to the roundhouse. My kids got to ride in the cab, while I got to work the Armstrong turntable to position the engine. Just wish I'd had an extra body along to take pictures!

Herb Sakalaucks
Colfax Railroad Museum

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