Return of the King

[Dave_Meashey (David Meashey)]

Today I mailed the down payment for a live steam Roundhouse Darjeeling Beyer-Garrett in maroon finish plus nameplates that read Aragorn. Since Aragorn was the character in The Return of the King who eventually became the king of Gondor, I think this is a fitting name for the Brandywine & Gondor Railroad’s largest and most powerful locomotive. I have been saving for years to buy this locomotive.

Has anyone on these forums had any experience with live steam Beyer-Garretts? I am hoping the valve gear will not be too fiddley. I would hate to have a locomotive try to pull itself apart or crush itself. I read once in Trains magazine that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rebuilt a Turkish Beyer-Garrett, but did not get the valve gear right, and it tried to pull itself apart!

Best, David Meashey

[Cliff_Jennings]

David, your LOTR work over the years has been fun and amazing to see. I’m so glad you’re acquiring the Aragorn, and am looking forward to seeing you put him through its paces.

Maybe you could show us all your LOTR lineup sometime? You’ve probably already done that, and if so, could you repost a link?

Cliff

[Tom_Bowdler]

Personally, my only Garratt is a group build with two Dora motor units and a custom frame and boiler but I have seen a good many of the Roundhouse versions run on video. They are magnificent locos and are sorted by Roundhouse before they leave the factory so I don’t think you will have any trouble. Which color did you order?
Tom

[Eric_Mueller]

@Cliff_Jennings

Maybe you could show us all your LOTR lineup sometime? You’ve probably already done that, and if so, could you repost a link?

I second that motion!

[Dave_Meashey (David Meashey)]

Sure folks;

Here it is again. With the Freight Sheds gone, I suppose the photos are gone too.

This is the train Protection Vehicle, otherwise known as the “Balrog Catcher”. It rotate 360 degrees on its chassis, useful at stub terminals.
This is the Samwise Gamgee, fired by “Smaugette,” a friendly dragon.

Here is a caboose with a dwarf conductor, fully armed.

Here is a private owner car for Prancing Pony Ale.

Another private owner car for Longbottom Leaf pipeweed.

Short train with a “Rides of Rohan” horse car.

The Dori locomotive (of Ori, Dori, & Nori) pulling the Homeless Nazgul car.

The Gandalf locomotive.

The hatchling dragon transport.

The Loughbrau Trollish Punch car.

The Thorin Oakenshield locomotive.

A primitive tank car.

Another primitive tank car staffed by a small ent. P.S. I couldn’t find an ent figure, so I substituted Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy.
That is all I could find for now.
Best, David Meashey

P.S. as of 5/16/22 found one more photo. I knew I had another sparky on the roster (NOT Rooster). This very small freight locomotive is named Peregrin Took. The caboose has the dwarf conductor.

[Cliff_Jennings]

Thanks David!

My favorite is the dragon-fired Gamgee, awesome!!

[Dan_Pantages]

Some people have way too much fun in this hobby, the problem with that is, it’s not me. I have fun but not like you David.

[Cliff_Jennings]

My sediments exactly!

[Eric_Mueller]

David,

Thanks for resharing the railroad and all your creativity!

Eric

[PeterT]

@Dave_Meashey

live steam Beyer-Garretts

Dave, I believe Roundhouse only sells this model with r/c, as working dual reversing gear from the cab is way complicated. There are 2 servos set up to do the job, one on each end unit, so you won’t have any problems.

Looking forward to seeing the pics. I’m in Africa and our cocktail trip onto Victoria Falls Bridge was behind a 14A 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garrett.

[Dave_Meashey (David Meashey)]

BUMP! Added one more locomotive to photos.
Cheers, David Meashey

[Dave_Meashey (David Meashey)]

The troll was supposed to be a locomotive fireman, but he was so big that I could not couple the tender to the locomotive with him on the deck plate.
Here is a dwarf signal showing a “clear” aspect to Trish, the work triceratops. Trish has nothing to do with Middle Earth. She is a tribute to John Allen’s (Gorre & Daphetid RR) work stegosaurus , Emma.

Have fun, David Meashey

[Cliff_Jennings]

I so remember your “dwarf signal” David, that’s a classic!!

[Dave_Meashey (David Meashey)]

Well Folks;

The locomotive has finally arrived. Took over a year to get “him.” Now I need to get nameplates that read Aragorn, and figure out how to mount Kadees. But I have all winter for that, however if anyone has mounted Kadees on this locomotive, I’d love to learn how you did it. Potos below.

Best, David Meashey

[rmccown-admin (Bob McCown (Admin))]

Beautiful locomotive.

[Rooster]

Dave,
Send it back …you’ll shoot your eye out !

Now we want video of it running !

[Dave_Meashey (David Meashey)]

David;

I’d be more likely to shoot out my eye with this! It’s my Uncle Bill Larish’s Daisy carbine from the same era as The Christmas Story movie. It’s not a Red Rider special, but it’s special to me.

Best, David Meashey

[smcgill (Sean McGillicuddy)]

were is the leg lamp … hard to see in that pic … Hmmm are you wearing earrings ?

[Dave_Meashey (David Meashey)]

Sean;

No, just got silly and put some tinsel under the cap. Don’t have the leg lamp. Have an antique lamp with a painted glass shade instead.

Regards, David Meashey