Turntable

Turntable

The Atlas HO Turntable is a compact and highly practical solution for realistic steam and diesel-era engine servicing on HO scale layouts. Designed as a fully assembled 9-inch diameter turntable, it allows locomotives to be rotated and aligned precisely with multiple stall tracks or a roundhouse, making it an essential feature for any serious model railway yard or engine depot scene.

This turntable uses an indexed system that stops at 21 fixed positions in 15-degree increments, ensuring accurate and repeatable alignment with approach and storage tracks. Its molded deck features a realistic wood-grain finish, while the surrounding pit ring is styled in concrete grey for a convincing depot appearance straight out of the box.

A key strength of this system is its flexibility. It can be operated manually using the included crank, or upgraded with a motor drive unit for remote-controlled operation. This makes it suitable for both beginner layouts and advanced DCC-equipped model railways.

In HO layouts where space is limited, a turntable can replace complex track geometry while still delivering realistic operational movement. It also helps recreate the atmosphere of classic locomotive servicing yards, where engines were routinely rotated, inspected, and prepared for their next duty.

Features:

• Fully assembled 9-inch HO scale turntable deck
• 21 indexed track positions at 15-degree intervals
• Manual crank operation with optional motorisation upgrade
• Realistic wood-style bridge and concrete pit detailing
• Compatible with Atlas HO roundhouse systems and staging tracks

Why Turntables Are Useful on a Model Railway?

Turntables are a classic feature of steam-era railway infrastructure and remain highly useful on model layouts today. Their main purpose is to allow locomotives to be turned around or directed into different service bays without needing large track loops.

In real railway operations, turntables were essential at engine sheds where steam locomotives, which often had a preferred direction of travel, needed to be rotated for return journeys. They also allowed railways to efficiently organise multiple storage and maintenance tracks in a compact space.

On a model railway, a turntable adds both operational value and visual interest. It allows you to:

• Turn locomotives realistically, especially steam engines
• Feed multiple engine shed roads from a single entry track
• Save space compared to large reversing loops
• Create a focal point for an engine depot scene