Difference Roundhouse Argyll vs. Atlantic?

RuneK

RuneK

Registered
I am new to livesteam and has been offered a "NOS" Argyll for a good price. I do, however, wonder what the differences between RH's Argyll and the present Atlantic is.

What did Argyll cost when it was in production?
 
Are there any mecanical differences beteween these to models?

And due to the fact that Argyll is no longer in production, I am rather keen on knowing what the retail price was for it.
 
Welcome to the forum Rune. Some of the older locos are not as easy to handle as thier newer counterparts. I am sure someone with direct experience with the Atlantic will be along soon.
 
Got an older version. Smokebox is a standard lady Ann type not the correct one of the real thing, unlike the new version. Think there are some other cosmetic things. Also have a feeling the new version has a sprung chassis old one is fixed. The old one has all standard roundhouse cylinders, valve gear boiler etc.

On mine I mixed paint to paint brass boiler bands and other bits. I also added weight at the front as it jumped the track sometimes running forwad.
 
OK, -thank You for answering my questions so far!
Is the unused Argyll a safe buy in terms of technically reliability? Had it ever any issues of any sort?
 
None at all mine was second hand. Roundhouse are very very well built. They are a awesome bunch so if u did need any parts they will help. Just see it in steam if possible.

Only to happy to help, if you want to send me a pm only to happy to call you.

Simon
 
OK then! I shall meet the dealer next week, and we will have a chat. I think he has a very personal relationship with his locos, and wants to meet me in person before selling. ;)
As I live in Norway, I am very fortunate to live only 40 minutes by car from the dealer. He is, as far as I know, the only dealer of live steam here, and a very nice chap. So Simon, I am very thankfull for the opportunity to make you a call, but I think we will keep the phone bills down. :)

-Rune
 
Just be careful if this is your first live steamer - there is some rubbish out there.
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Of course. Always carefull, -the loco I have been offered has never been steamed, -just out of the box on fairs. So I think that bent footplates or other faults is not in question.

-Rune
 
There are a number of other less obvious differences between the two types. The smokebox and sprung chassis have already been mentioned.

Argyll had whitemetal buffer beams instead of the steel ones used on Atlantic. Even the lightest of collisions with an Argyll could bend or snap the buffer beams.

Argyll had spoked wheels, Atlantic has disc wheels.
 
Hi Rune
The Roundhouse Argyll was produced from 1993 until 2004 and was advertised by a dealer in 2004 at £1270 for a radio controlled version.
I have a late one and it is a superb loco - it is very controllable as I quickly substituted 2.4ghz radio control. This is just a matter of changing the transmitter and receiver - but you will need to budget for this unless it is manual.
It is very different from the Atlantic as has been said. The Atlantic has the correct, rivet free smokebox and is fully sprung. The Argyll has the great advantage (in my eyes) of the spoked wheels.
Simon Whenmouth of Anything Narrow Gauge has an Atlantic for sale at £1050 and a fully lined Argyll at £1150 (these are on his page on my website). His locos come fully checked and guaranteed though. You will see that the new price ten years ago has no relevance now - it depends on specification, colour and condition.
Ideally you should see it in steam as it may require a little fettling after ten years in a box. Some of my locos play up after aafter just a few months on the shelf, but the great thing is that Roudhouse locos are easily sorted.
If you can get at the screws under the smokebox, it is easy to fit a Chuffer to an Argyll. If not, it is a boiler off job, but not difficult.
Good luck!
Cheers
Chris
www.summerlands-chuffer.co.uk
 
Spoked wheels are a nice touch. Buffer beam is easily changed. I have also been offered a "Bertie", but fancy a rather more "grown up" engine. And so far I find the Argyll to my linking.

-Rune
 
I have seen the pictures of your Argyll Chris, and it is a lovely engine! The one I have been offered is for a lower price than when it was brand new. As I like to fettle with mechanics it could be right up my alley (I have rebuild a Land Rover once). Careful at running it in then. But I haven't written off the Bertie that I was offerd yet. The final decision will be made early next week.

-Rune
 
RuneK said:
I have seen the pictures of your Argyll Chris, and it is a lovely engine! The one I have been offered is for a lower price than when it was brand new. As I like to fettle with mechanics it could be right up my alley (I have rebuild a Land Rover once). Careful at running it in then. But I haven't written off the Bertie that I was offerd yet. The final decision will be made early next week.
Click to expand...

Hi Rune
I have just taken a few photos to show that Bertie can be quite "grown up" beside an Argyll :)
Many very serious locos are slip eccentric, but if you want R/C reversing then Argyll is the one for you. It is also a very heavy and powerful loco - but you can have a lot of fun with a Bertie at relatively low cost.......
Cheers
Chris
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Thank you very much for sharing the photos Chris! It certainly didn't make make the decision easier... :nail:
They are both very nice, each in its own way. For running at my own, yet to be railway, the Bertie is fine. If I want to bring a loco too a meeting, it would be better with a loco with RC and real reversing gear.
I have yet one more day to make my decision, and either way I can't really go wrong. But if I'm starting with a Bertie, the desire for a "real" engine with always be there. So in the far run, I think I will benefit from purchasing a Argyll right away. The snow is still deep here, and I can't start building tracks for a couple of months yet. So instead of getting all I need at once, I perhaps should get the Argyll only, and buy tracks later. I have much fun just watch those beutifull crafted gears move. So getting a pair of rolling road units could be the ting for me now.
 
Yes, - I have made up my mind, and the Argyll will be my first live steam buy I think. Later I could always get a basic modell, -they are charming little engines. :)

Thanks for all the answers to my questions, tips and photos helping me making my decision!

-Rune
 
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