Garden railroading - Build a live steam loco

All current Roundhouse locomotives are fitted with a pair of 9/16" bore x 5/8" stroke double acting cylinders, which are operated by either slide valves or piston valves housed in a valve chest on top of the cylinder block.

The cylinder block is manufactured from brass, all glands and the piston ring are silicone '0' rings and gaskets or '0' ring seals are used for all covers and joints. They are designed for easy maintenance and will give a lifetime of excellent performance and service, requiring only the occasional replacement of seals.

During 1994/5, Roundhouse did spend a great deal of time and money on developing a new gas system that would do just what we wanted when we wanted. With the help of a number of specialist's in the gas field, including time in the Department of Fuel and Energy laboratory at Leeds University, the 'FG' gas burner was eventually developed which was easy to manufacture and is efficient, quiet and weather proof.

Gas is carried on the locomotive in a purpose built storage tank which is filled from a gas canisters - the 'FG' burner is designed to operate on Butane gas only and it's operation may be somewhat temperamental if mixed gasses are used due to their differing chemical make up and requirements.