Roundhouse Alco arrives at Dunn's River.

[railwayman198]

My first new steam loco for some years was delivered yesterday. I wanted to try one of the new generation Roundhouse locos and chose the Alco because it is small enough to look ok with 1:22.5 and even some 1:29 stock. it looks in keeping with my Jamaican theme too. I also have the similar looking Accucraft Baldwin 4-6-0 on order from Track Shack. It will be interesting to compare when that one arrives.

The other reason I bought a new loco was to kick start me to resurrect the line from the damaged caused by the rabbits and chickens. It had not been used since last autumn and you will notice in the pictures that the buildings are still looking battered. I have managed to get the main circuit back up and running though other repairs will take a bit longer.



I ran some battery locos first to make sure all was well with the track before risking the new loco.



Note the new addition to the rastavans - a repaint of a USA trains `Western Maryland` outside framed boxcar that I bought from Mike (Beavercreek) some time ago.



Here is the shiny new addition to the fleet posing fresh out of the box last night.



rear view



Back on the track this morning for the first steaming. This shows how much lower she is than Katie.



First run. No problems at all.



Looks ok with 1:29 sock, I think.







A few more pics in next post

 

[railwayman198]

Lined up with pride of the line Gunga Din `Eleanor`. Both are of similar height and width.

Well pleased with the new loco so far. I`m not too sure about how effective the couplings fitted to it are. generally ok pulling using a chain - not so good reversing. I`m thinking that if I fix them upside down they may work with LGB loops. Something to experiment with another day. Accessing the water top up involves sliding back the cab roof, which is quite stiff and can get pretty hot when the loco is in steam, so asbestos fingers are an asset. I do like that the cab roof fits so snugly though, better than the old style hinge arrangement.

All in all well pleased.

 

[garrymartin]

It's always a pleasure to catch up with happenings on the Dunn's River. The Alco is a beauty

 

[JRinTawa]

Ineed, nice to catch up on happenings. The Alco looks a beauty alright

 

[railwayman198]

A quick update. I have now tried the fixing the couplings upside down and they do couple very well with LGB loops, for both forward running and reverse. Result!

 

[stevedenver]

Philip
the new roundhouse is gorgeous

and

I really love your railroad
its so easy to suspend disbelief and go into the world you've created

your liveries are especially plausible and tasteful


how many feet of track do you have?
would you happen to have a track diagram, or overhead shot of the entire layout?

thanks for the pics

 

[3Valve]

That's nice. Want one

 

[railwayman198]

Philip



how many feet of track do you have?
would you happen to have a track diagram, or overhead shot of the entire layout?

Thanks for your comments. If you click on the link to my website you can find a track diagram there - and much more.

 

[owlpool]

very nice Loco Philip

 

[Mr dc rail]

Like the loco just got the WD version l have the same issue with the couplings but I have accucraft wagons.