Heritage of Precision and Reliability.
Proudly made in England.
Our Story, Mission, and Values
Founded in 1982 and with a passion for model engineering, Roundhouse Engineering has committed decades to producing dependable live steam locomotives. Our mission is to provide accurate, well-crafted models that celebrate the tradition of steam railways while delivering modern reliability and ease of use. We value precision, innovation, and an uncompromising commitment to our customers.
Showroom
Our showroom is the perfect place to experience the Roundhouse range in person. Here, we display our full line up of live steam and battery-powered diesel locomotives, alongside a wide selection of lineside accessories. To help you find the perfect fit for your railway, we feature a large showroom track where customers can test drive our locomotives and see them in action. Whether you are looking for your first engine or adding to a collection, our team is here to help.
Want a closer look? Click any of the pictures below to visit our video gallery for a behind-the-scenes tour of our factory.
Design/R&D office
Every locomotive starts its journey on Rob’s desk. Using a combination of archival line drawings and photographs, Rob carefully builds a 3D CAD model to capture every scale detail. From there, he translates the design into 2D artwork for the etched bodywork. Rob’s hands-on approach means he builds the first prototype himself, refining the design until it’s perfect for production. From the first line drawing to the custom-made tooling, Rob oversees every stage of the creation process.
Machine shop
In our machine shop, precision is paramount. This is where every component for the Roundhouse range is brought to life—from brass locomotive domes down to the smallest crank pins, each machined on our precision CNC equipment. Every part is meticulously checked and test fitted to ensure exact tolerances are met. Our highly skilled engineers also process our laser-cut components, from machining mainframe sides to the intricate drilling and tapping of lost-wax castings. It is this dedication to in-house machining that ensures the legendary reliability of a Roundhouse locomotive.
Body shop
The journey of every bodywork component begins with a flat brass fret. Our builders carefully remove each part, hand-pressing every individual rivet for authentic detail before the assembly begins. Using a handheld blowtorch and soft solder, the pieces are expertly joined to form the locomotive's structure. It takes immense skill to fold and manipulate the brass into its final form; boiler wrappers and roofs are precision-rolled, while side tanks are shaped using bench folders and specialist tooling to achieve the perfect radii.
Paint shop
A Roundhouse locomotive is defined by its flawless finish. Our paint shop team combines years of expertise with a meticulous multi-stage process to ensure every model looks stunning and stands the test of time. It begins in our blasting cabinets, where bodywork is keyed for maximum adhesion. After a thorough cleaning, the parts are primed and treated to their final coats of specialist paint. Finally, each piece is oven-baked to create a hard-wearing, professional-grade finish that is built to last..
Main workshop
In the heart of our workshop, precision assembly takes centre stage. We start by building the chassis, putting it through a eight-hour air test before it earns its place in the build. From there, we fit the boiler and the detailed bodywork. But a locomotive isn't finished until it proves itself on the rails; we test every engine on our test track, both light engine and with a weighted load, to ensure it meets our exacting standards. After a thorough cleaning and a final sign-off from Quality Control, the locomotive is ready for the journey to its new owner.
Diesel department
Our battery-powered diesels are built with the same heavy-duty philosophy as our steam locomotives. Constructed with steel frames and brass bodywork, these engines utilize high-torque DC motors and robust whitemetal castings for components like axle boxes. We don’t compromise on performance; every diesel is engineered to meet the same rigorous standards as our steam fleet. Under the hood, we use custom electronics—including advanced speed controllers and in-house designed PCBs—to manage directional lighting and authentic sound systems.
Boiler shop
One of the most important areas at Roundhouse Engineering is our boiler shop, where every boiler is expertly crafted and thoroughly tested. Each unit is silver-soldered and pressure-tested to ensure reliable, perfect performance for many years to come. Alongside our boilers, gas tanks are also assembled in this dedicated workshop.
Roundhouse Video 1989
Released on VHS in 1989, this production offered a fascinating glimpse into the world of garden railways and a behind-the-scenes look at the Roundhouse factory. Many of the core principles expressed here—a passion for steam, meticulous engineering and first-rate customer service—remain at the heart of Roundhouse today.