Roundhouse practices

[Red Oak & Western]

On my way to my girl friend's house (well, she's been my wife now for over 32 years), I used to stop and watch the Milwaukee Road turn F units on the turn table and back them into the roundhouse (originally 30 stalls) so they would be ready to drive out for the next run.

So my question to all you Protogeeks :rolleyes: is: What was the usual practice? Turn, back in, and drive out or drive in, back out, and turn?

See what can happen as your mind wanders while doing dishes?

Kevin

[CBCNSfan]

See what can happen as your mind wanders while doing dishes?
Pay attention to the dishes before you get into trouble :D
I really have no idea Kevin but all the photos I've seen seem to indicate Backing into the RH, but that could have a setup for the photo.
Cheers Willis

[mushroom2]

I don't know if there were any standards except maybe by railroad. For some reason, I have the impression that most were built as front in. This may have to do with wind entering the doors and swirling the smoke around more than if the engine was pulled in with the exhaust close to the rear. (I'm talking steam here.) So when diesels were put in, they may be backed in in order to get the exhaust closer to the smoke hoods that were in the back of the building. Sounds logical to me, but it's basically a WAG.

[jon bentz]

Hi all - most North American railroads headed their power into the roundhouse during the steam era. This placed the locomotive at the widest end of each stall for servicing and general access. Some roundhouses were constructed with ventilators at either end of each stall so engines could be serviced either way.There were exceptions, for example the D&RGW at Durango backed their locomotives into the roundhouse, the ventilators were only at the turntable end of each stall. This practice continued into the diesel era - and continues at the few remaining roundhouses in the US. Some roads did their own thing though - the Milwaukee being among those. :D

[Red Oak & Western]

Thanks Jon,

That makes sense. I've seen photos both ways and was curious what the "prevalent" rather than standard, practice was.

Kevin