This latest model from Roundhouse Engineering is a perfect mixture of old and new, combining one of their early designs with present day Roundhouse technology.
Back in the 1970s, and 80s, the name of the late Jack Wheldon and his Charles Pooter class locomotives, were synonymous with garden railways. His monthly articles in the model press bringing tales of his endless development of spirit fired locomotives, model test reports and general workshop chatter, inspired many a budding 16mm railroad tycoon. Roundhouse were fortunate to have the opportunity of taking over his well known design, and in 1984, Charles Pooter became their flagship model, only ending production in 1990 after a steady decline in the desirability of spirit firing in narrow gauge circles.
The rather unusual name of this class of locomotives was taken from a fictitious Victorian character who’s day to day exploits first appeared in ‘Punch’ in the late 1800’s and were later published in book form. Many of Jack’s models sported names of other members of Mr. Pooter’s family and acquaintances.
Following numerous requests over the intervening years to re-introduce Pooter, Roundhouse has finally succumbed and offer Carrie as his family successor. Though visually very similar to Charles Pooter, mechanically there are many changes to bring the design in line with current customer requirements. With this in mind, a name change was required to avoid confusion and, what better than Carrie, Charles Pooter's beloved wife.
Just as on the original, the model has Hackworth valve gear and the distinctive front sand boxes, but now incorporates new features such as internal gas firing and a boiler top up system with water gauge. We are sure that Carrie will prove equally as popular today as Pooter was twenty years ago.
