From: KEN MARTIN <kmartin@c...>
Reply-To: BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com
To: BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [BRHSlist] Re: Round Houses
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 18:22:11 -0800
Charlie Vlk wrote:
>
> MOST roundhouses have segmented back walls. Not to say there were not
> exceptions, but at least later (1880-????) examples with larger
industrial
> style back windows had segmented flat walls. Why? Lintels to span the
> window opening were standard steel structural shapes which are straight.
> Earlier houses could have curved masonry walls because a masonry arch
over a
> narrow window can be curved with the back radius of the house.
> Charlie Vlk
The back walls of roundhouses are built with flat walls usually with
windows between columns or posts. these walls are not integrated into
the column as a normal wall would be, so that if an engine gets away
while bringing it in it will knock the wall out and not bring the
roundhouse roof down. It has happened, I have seen a picture of an SP
engine sticking out the back of the San Jose,CA roundhouse.
Ken Martin