Roundhouse

One Word...........

Korber

I would recommend three roundhouses on the market. All are nice and are totally different in construction and appearance.

Rich's - Korber roundhouse

Dennis Brennan's roundhouse

Bob Spauldings - Altoona Model Works roundhouse

I would agree with Al.

Alan Graziano

I would also agree with Al.  

I personally have a Korber but after seeing Bob Spaulding's (Altoona ModelWorks) kits, I can't wait to get my hands on one.  First class stuff!

Dennis kit looks very nice too.

Dave

I like them all, but Korber's (And Ross Custom Switches) seems to be most representative of the East Coast Roads.

And what exactly is your point, Mike?

The architectural point to be noted is the brick and brick arched doors and windows which are part of the original Korber houses. IMO The further west and south you go, bricks and brick structures were more expensive, less were built IMO. There was a discussion once that the brick arches were not proto-typical but they did/and still do exist at Steamtown.  

 Brick arched structures would also appear to be older construction.  Late 19th, very early 20th, century, a lot less steel is being used in these structures.

Arches have more to do with the style of architecture prevalent up to the beginning of the 20th century. My roundhouse is inspired by the Norfolk and Western in Williamson WV. There are others that are similar, such as one in Canton OH. Roundhouse design has to do with the time period and its intended use. Roundhouses like mine housed an overhead crane for doing major engine repair.

The brick arches are still around. Some were done on the Age of Steam Roundhouse, Sugarcreek, Ohio.

From the Age of Steam website.

Of course arches are still around. What has that got to do with anything? The Age of Steam roundhouse is based upon an older architectural style.

Dennis,
I had no point, just that if you look at a lot of East Coast RH's they are of the type represented by the architecture in Rich, and Steve's models.

This is from the Reading Saucon Yard near Hellertown PA.  There are others, but this is classic.  I agree the arches are not prototypical, but I can live with them.  Your's (As gorgeous as it is!)  SEEMS (I am no expert) to be typical of a western US  Roundhouse.  So all I was commenting on is what "I" perceive to be typical.  I am not stating fact or opinion, as to good or bad. :-)  IN FACT.........   Your doors represent the roundhouse above to a T!

Your example above has no arches and is an eastern roundhouse. My roundhouse is inspired by one in Williamson WV.  Not very Western.. I never said arches weren't prototypical.

The Korber roundhouse kit can also be kitbashed.  The brick arches are not right for Pennsy, plus they take up space on the front.  I wanted the most stalls possible and a more typical PRR look.  Since I model warm weather, I can "remove" the doors and store them inside (and out of sight) like the railroad did.  The valence above the doors and the new clerestory windows are scratchbuilt (using Korber industrial windows).

Dennis,

I am not looking for an argument.  I said your doors looked just like the ones in the roundhouse I pictured.  It was meant as a compliment. 

Why do I even try?

Mike, I'm not looking for an argument, either. All I'm saying is that  both arched and rectangular windows are found in roundhouses in all areas of the country. There are  more examples of earlier architectural styles out east because that is the oldest part of our country. However, roundhouses were being build well after the beginning of the 20th century to house the increasingly larger locomotives that were continually being developed. And like I said, arches as a design element were not in vogue after 1900.

Brennan's is a beauty. You can also add to the list a roundhouse that is offered by Harry Heike.

Quite frankly guys,  it's your railroad and your money.  If you waste time worring about what is prototypical on not you'll never get it built.

CSX Al, great pics.  Thanks for the info.

Touche Mr. Devlin

Here is a Pennsylvania RR Roundhouse in Canton OH

This is similar to my design with a large center story.

Awesome Dennis!  Love the size and the windows.  Never did work to well in the dark.

Thanks for posting.  See you at York.

Great response.  Good to see all are well and thriving this cold  Monday morning. Interesting to note that the Age of Steam Roundhouse has a huge wood truss roof system also.  Probably could have been done cheaper with steel.
A few pictures of the modeled arch windows.
Layout house, Korber 304, one additional stall.

Modular house, Fort Pitt Hirailers.  One additional stall and Big Boy extender kit.


Rich has greatly improved these older thermo-formed windows.

Gutter and Downspout detail.

Here's an example of Dennis' kit. I haven't finished the back of the roof yet but you can get an idea of what it looks like. 

I feel the classic roundhouse is the very image of Steam Era railroading. I wish I had the proper amount of space to construct one. As it is now I use a 72 foot turntable I scratch built as an end of branch type turning facility so common in days gone by. The ones I see being offered by the several suppliers are all mouthwatering structures for sure.

Bob

Laidoffsick, great photos and great job on putting the kit together.

Wow that RH from Altoona is great!  I hadn't ever seen that before..it looks like a great kit.

Chris,

Altoona also makes a awesome car shop building too if anybody has plans to use a transfer table on their layout. I plan to have one at my York booth next month.

   Great job Bob, I like your rendition a lot!

Doug,

You did an excellent job on the roundhouse.

Alan Graziano

Doug,

What Alan said--a beautiful build!

Chris,

Bob's kits are some of the best out there.  Check them out if you get a chance.

Dave

I just went and took an extended look at his products and I must agree, they look amazing.  I will have to give them a call since I am in the market for a RH.

Al that is nice...so is your transfer table.

Gentlemen, adding to what CSX Al said, there are 3 very different types of roundhouses available. As I see it, we're really not in competition with one another. Each one fills a different niche in the market. The point is you now have a choice based upon your desires, skills, and pocketbook. That's good for everyone.

Altoonamodelworks  Round House, and Milhouse turntable

Roundhouse 12 stall under construction.

MDF CNC cut bases to fit profile and track height.

Precision cast urethane side walls.

Laser cut windows and many detail parts parts.

Over 6 stall built in sections then install on base.

Builds easy with many picture manual.