Inspection Pit

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m scratchbuilding a 4 stall roundhouse.

How deep should the inspection pit be?

Thanks ahead of time!

Jim in Costa Rica

2

The modern ones I am familiar with are about 5 feet deep,

BUT at Steamtown Nat’l Historic Park there is a section of the roundhouse exposed ,but covered in glass. It is an insepction pit from like 1800somehting-or other, lined with bricks it is only about a 1 1/2 -2 feet deep! IIRC, the plaque says they laid down in the pit to do the work necessary. I am claustrophobic, so NOT ME!

So it may depend on what era you are modeling and how accurate you want to be.

[8-|]

3

Jim,

I have one of the Walthers HO inspection pits and it’s 5/16" (0.313") to the top of the pit and another 1/16" (0.063") to the top of the rail. The pit would be equivalent to ~27.25" in 1:1 scale. Personally, I think you could probably argue for a 6’ tall inspection pit, which would be 0.827" (or ~25/32"). Depends what era you want to model.

Hope that helps…

Tom

4

Around 3 1/2 ft. or 4 ft. was a common depth for pits in the steam era. Some more recent pits tend to be deeper as that is better for working on diesels. Some of the newer pits have been about 6 ft. deep in the center with a 15 in. ledge about a foot wide along each side and that seems to be a very good arrangement.

For the 1930s 4 ft. or so ought to be good.

5

Thanks guys,

Since I’m modelling steam in the 30’s I think I will go with 4 foot.

I really appreciate everyones willingness to help on this post!

Regards, Jim in Costa Rica

6

If it could help You, PECO, maker of track and turnouts, offer also a kit of inspection pit in both HO and N.

They are in plastic and the two file of track are provided.

Good WE

Marc from Belgium.