Very definitely

Almost all roundhouses had doors.  They were generally (but not always) barn style doors, split vertically with each half of the door opening into the space between the tracks and opening out toward the turntable.  Some newer roundhouses had roll up doors, but I don't think they were at all common.

A few roundhouses in warmer parts of the country were built without doors, and occasionally even without walls, but they were the exception rather than the rule.

Roll up doors

Here ya go Ken. Roll up doors on the East Broad Top in Pennsylvania. 

http://frontiernet.net/~thecat/ebt/ebt3.jpg

Bernd

Closed Doors

AC&Y RR in NE Ohio circa 60s' - roundhouse doors usually open but here is photo of doors closed. Wood doors on a brick structure.

Roundhouse Doors

You will also find that the era and the place you have your railroad located in will weigh into the answer, earlier time era such as prior to 1900 and the location, on the Colorado Midland the photos of the Colorado City (elevation 6000 ft) roundhouse show the doors open, while the Leadville (elevation 10,200 ft) roundhouse almost always has the door shut.

Roundhouse questions

Thanks to both Ken and Bernd,

I am using the Bachmann motorized turntable with the Thomas round house.  The round house comes with green doors split  in the center and opening between the tracks Like Ken had mentioned.  I'm going to weather them with a blackish grey paint.  Since the round house is white plastic I will paint and weather it in a reddish brick like color.  This should help to take it out of the "Toy" category and make it more realistic.  Any thoughts on types or brands of paint?  There are  a myriad of them at the hobby shop.  Lots of reds.  I'm leaning towards a maroon color.  That should like 'old brick'.

Bernd:  The picture of the roundhouse with the overhead doors is really interesting.  It looks well used.  I've ssen that type of door on some automotive repair shops.

Thanks to both of you,

Ken

Roundhouse Doors

Question and a comment please.

When did the roll up doors come into widespread use? Was it in the early 60's or late 50's? There are several buildings from the mid 60's where I work with roll up doors.

Also I came across a picture recently of a Boston And Maine Railroad roundhouse with no roof! Apparently it was a response to a new state tax on any structure with a roof so they removed it. I wish I remembered where I saw it.

MARK

Ken, save yourself some money.

Don't buy expensive model railroad paint for a structure unless it is a railroad structure painted in a specific color system wide.  Even then, if the color is different than the railroad would use on motive power or rolling stock, it probably won't be available from the Floquil and the like.  Get water based acrylic craft paints from a Craft store or Walmart.  You probably want an iron oxide color for your brick, gray for the doors and some flat black to simulate smoke above the doorway where the engines exhaust would hit and discolor the doorway.

Roundhouse doors

Barn style doors are preferred.  If an engine gets loose, and goes through a door, the barn doors open up, and less damage results.  Roll-up doors get damaged quite a bit when something goes through them.  They do seal the cold out better, though. 

Plenty of opportunities to detail the inside as well.  This is one of my favorites.

Jerry Joe Jacobson Trains

The Age of Steam Roundhouse

A modern in the making Roundhouse being built in Ohio. Hundreds of photos of rolling stock and a huge Roundhouse. 

Carter

http://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.com/Album_Aerials_11_07.html

Roundhouse

Carter,

Thanks for the web site.  The pictures contained within it are awesome.  They have answered all the questions I have had on modeling a roundhouse.  This is quite an undertaking.  Thank God for someone who is willing to take the time and resources to recreate some of the past that is being torn down in so many places.

Thanks again,

Ken