What exactly is a roundhouse for?
I thought it was for storage and maintenence.
But is it also used for locomotive overhauls?
or just for storage?
There were no ashpits in roundhouses. were there?
…phew. Thanks for any help
Roundhouses were generally NOT used for steam engine storage, at least at busy terminals. A steamer would be cut off a train, run to the ash pit to have it’s fire box cleaned, coaled up (and watered if needed), and then run into a roundhouse stall to be serviced. Once an engine was inspected and lubricated, it would be sent out to a ready track to wait for it’s next assignment.
Roundhouses mostly had inspection pits so a maintenance guy could check the underside of an engine. Repairs were done in roundhouses, so long as they didn’t require lifting the engine for any reason. Smaller class repairs were usually done at division point yard roundhouses, which is why they were so big. Some stalls were for repairs, some stalls were for general servicing. Outside tracks were either storage for engines to be repaired, or were ready tracks.
Of course, there were major exceptions to what I’ve just typed. Less busy roundhouses did store engines in roundhouses, as did smaller roads. For model railroad purposes, it all depends on the “feel” of your layout. Do you have a busy terminal, with engine constantly being assigned and serviced, or do you have a shortline?
Thanks. My layout will not be a busy terminal (e: No passenger service)
Just hauling freight for the shortlines customers.
You can classify roundhouses as three distinct types:
Regional: Very large roundhouse (full circle, 16+ stalls) with at least 2-3 stalls dedicated to overhauling.
Divisonal: Moderatly sized (6-15 stalls), handles minor to moderate repairs, used for quick turn arounds.
Branchline: small size (less than 6 stalls), quick turn arounds with emphysis on minor repairs and lubercating.
Note that these are general definitions, you’re particular railroad may use other definitons or may be haphazard about it.
Jay
Talk about confusion----when I was a young electrical apprentice I was sent to a round house to work on updating the lighting–it was a brick bldg. & a steam loco , in for service , had built up pressure over night & punched a hole in the wall. Now this isn’ t
normal practice but it may give you an idea for an unusual addition to your bldg.
Toronto Ont.
Re; Todays 21:23;00 posting;;
The location is Toronto Ont. Canada
Easrtwest - was that one of the “downtown” roundhouses near Toronto Union Station? DO you have any more details, or even (hopefully…!) pictures?
Andrew