The Summerlands Chuffer was launched back in 2009 with just three designs, but requests from fellow enthusiasts over the years have led to well over seventy designs for over 180 types of garden railway locomotive. Each type is designed to give the best sound while ensuring that the burner can breathe. Below you can search or filter by manufacturer to find the right one for your loco. If your loco is not listed then it may still be possible to fit one. We have a free design service, but will need some information, photos and measurements from your loco – there is a design chart at the bottom of this page, or get in touch with me on summerlandschuffer@gmail.com.
For many loco types, fitting is pretty simple using the detailed instructions supplied. For some locos we also have Fitting Notes, many of which were supplied by customers. If, however, you don’t fancy fitting the Chuffer yourself, you can scroll down for a list of Chuffer Fitters who will do it for you. Some Chuffer types, which use the 1/4" and 7/32" Chuffer resonator, can be fitted with our FX Control which allows you to control the chuff volume and steam plume.
Summerlands Chuffers · Reference
Find Your Chuffer
Search or filter by manufacturer to find the right Summerlands Chuffer part number for your loco, whether an FX Control can be fitted, and whether step-by-step fitting notes exist.
| Manufacturer | Loco | Chuffer | Notes | FX Control | Fitting notes | Buy |
|---|
Roundhouse FX Control guidance
For Roundhouse locos, the FX Control column uses A / B rather than a plain yes/no, since most models have a choice:
What do A and B mean?
Option A is a simple fitting of the FX Control — this may need a simple air control ring for the burner.
Option B exchanges your Chuffer for a smaller one, to keep the original diameter.
If in doubt, place a short length of 9/32″ OD K&S tube over the Chuffer in your loco and check the lighting and burner stability — this is slightly larger than the FX Control and gives a good indication of how it will affect breathing.
Single or twin exhaust locos
Around 2012, Roundhouse began fitting a single exhaust in place of twin exhausts on many models — these need the SCGP1 (the “-25” suffix just means 25mm of tube to push onto the 1/8″ exhaust). On early twin-exhaust locos with short exhaust stubs, measure from the top of the chimney to the top of the exhausts in mm and order the SCRH1 with that suffix, e.g. SCRH1-xx.
What’s an air control ring?
A simple strip of metal (like a tiny boiler band) that wraps round the rear burner tube and is held with a screw and bolt. It can be slid forward to reduce air flow. Adjustment is by trial and error — too little air will result in incomplete combustion, which you’ll be able to smell.
Chuffer fitters
If you do not feel confident to fit your own Chuffer, then there are highly skilled engineers who will do the job for you. Here is the list of approved Chuffer Fitters. There are currently fitters in the UK, USA and Australia.
Tony Willmore
Tony is based in North Wales and runs the Rhos Helyg Loco Works which specialises in rebuilding, repairing, painting and lining 16mm and G–Scale locos. He has vast experience with Roundhouse locos and knows many of them inside–out.
Contact Tony at locoworks@rhoshelyg.me.uk and see his website at www.rhoshelyg.me.uk
Dave Mees
Dave was one of the first Chuffer–fitters, providing notes for the website on the Roundhouse Darjeeling B and the Roundhouse Atlantic. As Abbeybach Engineering Services Ltd, he is now able to offer a fitting service for those in the North Wales area and further afield too. Other services include loco repairs, civil engineering in 12" to the ft as well as 16mm to the ft, and radio repairs too. You can see Dave’s fine railway in Garden Rail magazine 193.
Contact Dave on mees.david@yahoo.com
Simon Whenmouth
Simon Whenmouth of Anything Narrow Gauge is well known in garden railway circles for repairing ailing 16mm steam locos and now offers new Roundhouse, Accucraft locos and stock plus second hand locos and stock too. Based in the South East, he will be in easy reach for many who might prefer the fitting to be carried out in his workshop, with the added advantage of possibly testing out your Chuffer on the Hedgehog Valley Railway 32mm or 45mm lines.
Contact 01622 710901 or 07711 387621
anythingnarrowgauge@googlemail.com
www.anythingnarrowgauge.co.uk
David Hippey
David Hippey’s loco repair and maintenance business “Houstoun Gate Locomotive Works” is based north of the border in the central belt of Scotland. He has been modelling in 16mm to the foot for around 12 years, but has a wide ranging engineering background spread over more than 30 years. In addition to fitting Summerlands Chuffers, he offers radio control installation and upgrades to both steam and diesel outline locos as well as fitting sound systems.
Contact David at hglw@eagleassist.com
EagleAssist, 66 Buchanan Crescent, Houstoun Gate, Livingston, EH54 7EE
Tel. 07801 917468
www.hglw.co.uk
Paul Fletcher
Paul Fletcher of Dream Steam is an expert on Mamod and Mamod type engines as well as offering a service for fitting to Roundhouse, Accucraft etc. Dream Steam, who are the leading UK Chuffer retailer, are at:
Dream Steam Limited, Ground Floor Suite, Vanguard House, Mills Road, Aylesford, ME20 7NA
Tel. 08450 773007
Email: sales@dream-steam.com
www.dream-steam.com
Best to phone or email to make an appointment before visiting.
Matt Towell
Matt has set up the Barley Pit Works, based just north of Coventry in the Midlands, offering a range of services for garden railway locos and stock. Matt has grown up with garden railways “in his blood” and is doing some superb work for his customers.
Contact barleypitworks@gmail.com
www.barleypitworks.com
Jason Kovac (USA)
Jason Kovac’s business “The Train Department”, based in New Jersey, supplies many locos and accessories, but Jason is also highly experienced in repair and in the design of garden railway locos. Jason can offer a Chuffer fitting service for all makes.
The Train Department
www.thetraindepartment.com
732-770-9625
Summerlands Chuffer design chart
Measure up your loco and send me the make, model and dimensions with photos of the smokebox and chimney to summerlandschuffer@gmail.com
