Roundhouse kits

[Gremlin]

Has anyone built one of the Roundhouse kits?
I like the look of Katie. It would appear a good second hand one is a similar price or more than a kit which has got me thinking. The time it takes doesn't worry me and I think there would be great satisfaction when finished and running. Just wondered how well they go together.

[taliesin]

I have not built a full Roundhouse kit but i have built the chassis and body kit of a Billy to use with a coal fired boiler.
The kits went together well and Roundhouse are most helpful, plus you can do any mods as you go along. A great many have been built over the years and although the Katie kit is relatively new i cannot see there being much different about it, cheers Rob

[WVLR]

I've built the Katie and Lady Ann kits, the Katie kit is a lot easier as most of the body work is pre-formed keeping the bending and soldering to a minimum.

Mike

[Keith S]

I built a "Billy" with a tender, and I started a thread on the subject last year. Here is the link if you like:
http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/about3711.html

I also made a quick youtube slide show of the building process:

One thing I would like to boast about, if I may, is that the bit at the end of it running on tracks is actually its first run besides an hour or so on blocks. That's how it ran BEFORE it was properly "run in"!



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Building the engine was a lot of fun, I learned something about how the valve gear works, and all the parts fit perfectly. The instructions were written in good english and were easy to follow. The service at Roundhouse was excellent too, I spoke on the phone with Mr. Harrison when I ordered the kit and he was friendly and willing to talk about various options. I sent them an Email with a picture of the finished engine and got a very nice reply, too. I enjoyed building the kit, and I will build another one some day when I have use for another engine.

[Steamcoaster]

Hi

I'm returning to the hobby after almost 25 years. I have an old Merlin Midas but it is very worn and in bits.

I am considering the following:

Roundhouse Lady Anne Chassis kit. To this I was going to add a coal fired boiler. If I am brave enough I might try and make the cab and tanks myself.

Although, what I really want to end up with is a WHR Russell. I read somewhere that someone had converted a Lady Anne into a Russell.

My original aim was internal method firing rather than coal combined with a hand pump and working water tanks. I am aware of the problem with obtaining meths. Not sure of the position on this here. I have experience of gas, but not really what I'd prefer.


That said the wallet might decide.

I haven't asked them but do you think Roubdhouse would sell a Russell chassis as a kit?

[taliesin]

Hi, just phone up and ask them, no harm in trying, cheers Rob

[Steamcoaster]

I sent them an email. I see the used to do Beck locos. It's a long shot but I thought they might have had some parts for my Midas which was mostly Beck components.