Yesterday saw a start on the bridge detailing. This is interesting as all the photos I have of turntables show subtle differences. On top of that, it is clear that, even in the these days of "preservation perfection" not very much attention is paid to keep turntables in the same condition as the locomotives that they turn. (One exception may the one at Minehead because that has become a prominent attraction because of its location).

Just like in the real, good old days, turntables are utilitarian. They serve a purpose and therefore tend to get worn, damaged even. As long as they work, that is all that is really required of them. My photos taken at Didcot certainly support this observation.

So I tackled the detailing as an exercise in customization. I am not, after all, building an exact replica of the turntable at, say, Bushbury or Monument Lane.

The locking lever and the winding mechanism on the winding platform were the main achievements of the day. Much of the work is not visible as it involved adding extra strengthening below the winding platform to support the various components. The winding control box was fabricated in a way that emulated the one at Didcot. The double winding handle, fabricated from wire and etches, is free to rotate but does not connect to anything below. Neither does the locking bar actually lock anything. However, this has prompted the thought that the holes for the locking bar should eventually be added to the well wall.