Roundhouse needed

[Anonymous]

I'm having a devil of a time finding a suitable roundhouse for my layout. I'd like 6-7 stalls for the late 30s era main yard. The Atlas is completely unsuitable and that really only leaves the new Walthers product, which I'm not thrilled with; even the description is 'modern' roundhouse.

I have seen roundhouses on layouts but haven't been able to determine if they were kit, kitbash or scratchbuilds. I am particularly fond of the craftsman (FSM) look, such as on George Selios' Franklin & South Manchester.

Any ideas?

[ndbprr]

Make your own. make your structural members as an assembly running the same direction as the locomotives. Use a jig to get everything straight and alligned. Then you can cut the connecting support members in a jig so you get the angles right and glue it all together. then it is just a case of covering it with whatever material you choose.

[Anonymous]

The Walther's "Modern" roundhouse is suitable for the 30's, they are defining "Modern" as in early 1900's to go with their larger turntable that the late steam (read large) and early deisels needed.

Watch out for the word "Modern" in this hobby, it's not always what you think it means.

Jay

[Anonymous]

Just curious - why is the Atlas roundhouse unsuitable?

Andrew

[jrbarney]

Reno3000,
Don't know where you're located and realize not every LHS carries them, but have you looked at the Korber Models kit ? The basic kit is only three stalls, but you can buy additional stalls. There's a small shot of it on page 541 of the 2004 Walthers catalogue. It's a bit basic and you'll probably want add some craftsman touches to it. If price is no object, you might want to see if you could locate a C.C. Crow RGS Ridgway roundhouse kit :
http://www.cccrow.com/pages/rrh-pg.html
on Ebay or at one of the "fallen flag" outlets such as Jay's Trains or Nixon Enterprises. It is more craftsman style.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Anonymous]

Roundhouses came in many styles, depending upon time era and area of the country. Many roundhouses still in use in the 30s were built in the 19th century. You should look at the Vollmer roundhouse, also the Kibri. I personally know that both of these have high quality plastic moldings that can look great with a bit of weathering.

[Anonymous]

"The Model Railroader's Guide to Locomotive Servicing Terminals"
By Marty McGuirk shows a scratch built wood roundhouse. Also Carstans published a book called Locomotive Terminals & Railroad Structures, Edited by Hal Carstens has information on roundhouses too.

Here is a list of other kits Walthers sells

I built an Alpine Division Scale Models (formally California Models) 6 stall ROUNDHOUSE which is a all metal craftsman kit. If you are interested in seeing it, e-mail me and I'll take some photos of it and send them to you.

HELJAN ROUNDHOUSE & TURNTABLE

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by masonjar

Just curious - why is the Atlas roundhouse unsuitable?

Andrew

It's not suitable for my application. I am in pursuit of a high level of detail that isn't apparent (to me) on the Atlas product...

No offense was meant...

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

Make your own. make your structural members as an assembly running the same direction as the locomotives. Use a jig to get everything straight and alligned. Then you can cut the connecting support members in a jig so you get the angles right and glue it all together. then it is just a case of covering it with whatever material you choose.

Light years ahead of me. I have no experience scratchbuilding and don't want to start on what will probably be the largest single structure on the layout. Thanks for the tip, though.

[jrbarney]

Reno3000,
Alpine Division Scale Models was already mentioned by Gsetter, who gave you a link to the Walthers catalogue. Alpine's own site is, you guessed it:
http:www.alpinemodels.com
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[randybc2003]

Just to throw my $0.25 in,
Grandt Line has roundhouse doors and windows in it's collection. They would go well with any roundhouse or enginhouse.
Carsten's book is excellent, except for one thing. The Santa Fe Roundhouse didn't get alltogether into the publication. Contact Carstens Publishing and get a copy of the WHOLE article. I discovered this the hard way!
Even more than "level of detail" you need to realize the turntable and roundhouse GO TOGETHER. Make sure the radial tracks from the table align WITH the roundhouse doors. Several articles in MR (and I expect others) deal with this.
If you want "more detail", get a generic roundhouse that fits your turntable and "add junk" (detail) to the model, and give it a special paint job. I think this process is lots of fun!
Good Luck!
Randy

[Anonymous]

I've built the Alpine model with the 3 stall add on and it makes a nice 6 stall unit. I haven't tried it but, I think that some on the new glues will work on the metal if you don't like the idea of soldering. If you decide to solder just have plenty of the old spring clothespins to hold the parts together while soldering. TAKE YOUR TIME AND DO A GOOD JOB.

[Anonymous]

I am planning on building my roundhouse 28 stall
modeled after the one that was in green River Wyoming
I have started the design of the interior framework and I will just buy windows that match in size some sheets of brick little glue and voila one roundhouse.
I prefer scratch building because almost everything has a european look to it
With the fancy brick rowlock and the wood curved top doors plus the price is just insane when I will get more enjoyment out of making it myself