[Rudy Allarde]

Hi all:  I started to build my roundhouse. It will be patterned after the Como Roundhouse in Como,Colorado.

All I know about this roundhouse is what I gathered from the internet, where there are some photos and information about this historical site.Here are some photos from the net.

I understand that somebody bought the property and started restoration work on it. However, the last information I can get from the net dates back to 1993.  Does anybody know about the progress of this restoration? 

Anyway,the Como Roundhouse looks very impressive to me and I just hope that I can build something very similar ot it.

Rudy Allarde

 

[dawgnabbit]

Rudy...

I'll be watching with interest! I've marked this thread.

Dawg

 

[Jerry Barnes]

Did you see the roundhouse kit that Colorado Structures offers? http://www.coloradomodel.com/babmain1.htm Pretty neat, or you can just buy doors/etc. Jerry

 

[Rudy Allarde]

Here is what I have done so far.

This shows the curved front face using plywood and pieces of 2x4s (as seen from behind).

This shows the front face. It is cut from 3/4" blue styrofoam. A layer of vinyl concrete patcher will then be laid on the styrofoam (w/ glue), and then imprinted with stonework design to replicate the stone structure of the Como Roundhouse.

Close up. I made the arches 8" wide because they will be used mainly with diesels. This might create a difference in perspective in relation to the prototype.  The doors will be made of wood; but that will be later.

The front face is 63" wide and 14" tall. Each door is 10 1/4" at the highest arch. What I am doing here is to build as many parts of the roundhouse as I can this winter and then assemble them outside when it warms up this spring.

Rudy Allarde

 

[rpc7271]

There was a guy who built a large roundhouse very much like the one you are building out of Jigstones about a year ago. You will need to search thru the building forum acchives if you want to read about it. I tried to find it for you but didn't have the time.

 

[Greg Stevens]

Good Luck with your project Rudy. Roundhouses are a bugger to get right, but it looks like you are off to a good start. I will be interested to see your progress with this one.

 

[blackburn49]

Posted By Rudy Allarde on 01/27/2008 6:01 PM

I understand that somebody bought the property and started restoration work on it. However, the last information I can get from the net dates back to 1993.  Does anybody know about the progress of this restoration? 

Anyway,the Como Roundhouse looks very impressive to me and I just hope that I can build something very similar ot it.

Rudy Allarde




That would be quite the project. I sure like this one!  Looks like you have a good start on your own version.

My regards,
--Ron in Alaska

 

[flatracker]

Having seen the rest of your projects, and the results, I know this will really be neat. I see what you mean about the building being less than scale, as the doors in that last picture really let you know how tall the originals were. It is also interesting to see what appears to be a loco lantern, attached to the right side of the outside wall.

You will have a pretty hefty project when you are through, so will probably need help when you place it on your RR. Good luck with it, and I'll be tuned in to watch your project!

 

[dawinter]

Did you notice that over 120 years later it's actually CLEAN?  Funny how our image of the past can be coloured by our view from today.  Must have been a real mess working there.  No fun at all.

I'm waiting to see how you do those stones.  I need ideas.  /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/plain.gif

Dave

 

[chuckger]

Hi Rudy,
  
  I will follow your build with interest as I plan to build a model of the Alpine engin house. Here is another photo of the Como round house showing the turntable deck, and check the plow on the engine to the left. 
   chuckger

 

 

[Richard Smith]

Rudy,

A great prototype to model! The original of course was for early narrow gauge engines and quite small, I had an HOn3 version from a kit many years ago. Your "standard gauge" incarnation should be a lot more impressive looking than the original but still typical.

What Bob M. says about this being a "hefty project" is true. My roundhouse with smaller openings and stalls and only 5 stalls took two of us to position it outside. One fellow I knew was going to build a 10 stall roundhouse but after seeing that my rather smallish 5 stall and turntable was taking more room than he'd planned for his 10 stall gave up on the idea. hehe!

 

[Jerry Barnes]

That will be NICE! Jerry

 

[joe rusz]

Can't wait to see how your stonework turns out. What a neat idea!

 

[Richard Weatherby]

My Porterhouse Stake was cast in concrete from latex molds.  It is only 4 feet across.  It weighed almost 500 pounds and required 4 people to move it.  The molds were made by carving Styrofaom first and then making the latex molds.  A lot of work for a one time structure.

 

[flatracker]

WOW Richard, thats really beautiful! And Well worth the trouble you went to. A one-of-a-kind I'm sure, and anyone would be proud to have that on their layout!

You don't happen to have any Porters on your R/R do you??/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/hehe.gif

 

[rgolding]

Dave McCurdy in Canada has built one out of Jigstones. I don't know if that is the one you are thinking of?

http://www.rgs.almontecentral.ca/

 

[John J]

WOW  Richard    500 LBS?   That surpases my  480 LB Tunnel

 

[blackburn49]

Posted By Richard Weatherby on 01/29/2008 12:24 AM
My Porterhouse Stake was cast in concrete from latex molds.  It is only 4 feet across.  It weighed almost 500 pounds and required 4 people to move it.  The molds were made by carving Styrofaom first and then making the latex molds.  A lot of work for a one time structure.

Porterhouse Stake ?  Love that pun.  That's one heck of a roundhouse you have there. I've acquired five Porters for one of my upcoming projects. I can see where one could get attached to those engines, too.  Anyway, once again, one of our members has raised the bar on a structure project. 

My regards,
--Ron in CC

 

[Paul Norton]

Here are a couple of shots of Dave McCurdy’s roundhouse at Ridgway that Ric mentioned.
 

 

 
Those two foot patio stones underneath will give you an idea as to how large this seven stall roundhouse is. It was made of lumber and JigStones. I bet that backhoe came in handy moving it from the garage.
 
Another local RGS fan, Bill On3, had Fred Mills talked into building one on the eastern end of the IPP&W. After seeing the area Dave’s roundhouse and turntable took up, Fred has finally listened to reason and will have Lawrence build a three stall, double depth engine house for the Craig Leigh engine service facility peninsula.
 

 
Work has already started on the engine house, and the roadbed and track will be changed in the spring. No need for a turntable as there is a very good wye at the top of the peninsula.

 

[aceinspp]

Very impressive project.  Can't wait to see the finished project.  Later RJD