Ballast in the tunnels...

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m getting ready the put the top on my eastern tunnel, and am wondering…
How far does everyone go with ballast in their tunnels?
Do you use the same colour ballast as on the “regular” exposed sections?

In the plan I have it shows using a dark gray on the main line, and cinders in the tunnel. I guess there’s a gradual mixing as you proceed into the tunnel.

Let me know what you guys do.

Thanks,
Trevor
“I swear some day I’ll get a really cool tag line”[:p]

2

The prototype uses the same ballast in the tunnel as in the open, so you probably should to. Weathering is the key as the ballast in the tunnel would be washed by rain much less than that outside. How far in to lay ballast? That depends…do you ballast your staging yards or other hidden track?

Happy ballasting,

Bill

3

The rule I usually go by is, if you can’t see it, why do it. If you have long tunnels with areas that can’t be seen, why bother?

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4

I dont ballast where the track can’t be seen during normal operations, in fact in tunnels and hidden areas I use rerailer track segments

5

Great idea using rerailer in hidden track area’s. Think of the potential cleared derailments avoided by this. In my situation however, this is not feasible as all of my tunnels are curved.

I would lean toward the if you can’t see it, don’t do it philosophy. It reduces real world costs and resource allocation.

Thanks guys.
Trevor

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6

In HO scale, I ballast about three inches into the tunnel, but that’s as far as I go. Most of my tunnels are on curves, so the natural contour of the curve disguises the fact that the ballast suddenly ends. I use the same color ballast (light and dark gray with smattering of cinders) that I use on the mainline. I also line the first three inches of the tunnel either with wood lining or crumpled aluminum foil spray-painted grimy black to simulate a rock bore. I am planning on ballasting my projected staging yard, since it will also include engine facilities and a turntable/roundhouse.
Tom

7

I didn’t ballast in my tunnels…guess where the expansion kinks were, two years later. At least make sure it is well spiked. Some folks use Code 100 in tunnels to cut down on derailments. The re-railers are a great idea.

8

I have a curved rerailer. It is a power connection as well and is made by Atlas. It might be old and it is brass, but they did make it.

Jon - Las Vegas

9

My tunnels are pretty dark inside (track is covered with crumpled aluminum foil & painted flat black rustoleum) so ballast will only be about a foot; rails are painted up to that point for headlights.

dark tunnels

No other photo yet (no ballast!)

10

Miniature TV cameras for Engine Cams are getting better, and coming down in price. At some point, I plan to have one, so I will be making sure the insides of my tunnels can stand up to inspection.