A National Roundhouse/turntable Inventory
(including some foreign countries)

(Maydelle Case Study)

Motor

Setting

Offset

Pit

Table

Here are some pictures I took last August of the Texas State Railroad in Maydelle, TX. I forgot I had these. Anyone can just drive right up to and walk all over this one. This was only installed here as an attraction of the TSRR excursion train. This turntable was originally located in Paris, Texas. This is still used from time to time to turn the steam engines during short school field trip rides during the spring and fall. Normally 2 trains leave at the same time. One from Rusk and the other from Palestine. In the middle of this 26 mile (per direction) trip they meet at a siding where they pass each other which makes for a great photo. At opposite ends of the line they stop for an hour where the engines are turned on wyes and then serviced for the return trip. For school excursions only 1 train leaves and from Rusk only. It travels 6 miles to the west to this spot in Maydelle where the steam engine is turned around in front of the students after which it takes them back to Rusk. As you can see, the tolerances aren't the best but it gets the job done. Not one of the most spectacular turntables by far but still one in which anyone can still see a steam engine being turned. The ride is definitely one worth seeing. Sadly it's in very serious danger of being shut down so the railroad needs public support to keep it alive. It's owned by the state of Texas and is Texas' most expensive park to operate. It is also Texas' largest money loser when it comes to State Parks. That's unacceptable! Just thought you'd like to add these pics to the site.
~Fred Swain