A lot of the members of this forum have layouts, whether large or small. And, chances are, there is a space that you just don’t know what to put in. Well, here is an idea. I just recently got back from taking a quick trip up to the original Washington Monument. The monument is all stone, and surrounded by a park. This would be perfect for a model in the distance, or even close to the foreground with a little modification to the surround park.
Enjoy these pictures.
~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~
Thats a solid looking structure, we have some similar structures on the hills in the UK, there are structures like it that are actually ventilation shafts on long tunnels, did they build vent shafts in the USA
WOW, I remember the hike there, It was all up a huge hill but well worth it. Ahhh the sites of the Appalachian trail.
It wasn’t that bad of a walk, at least, not from the parking lot. But still, it was all up hill, but fun. I love going hiking, now if only it was cooler, and less humid…
~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~
Yeah I remember after walking up a huge hill to the right if you are facing the entrance to the tower the trail to the parking lot. That was much better. It was the end of the trip and I think we hiked 25 miles From i forget where to the monument
Yes, tunnels here had/have ventilation shafts, too. Some were even dug before tunnel completion and were used during construction to dig the tunnel from the middle toward the faces being dug from either end. Isn’t that an engineering marvel ? (particularly to those of us who have trouble measuring a room accurately!)
I doubt that the tops of the shafts would look much like this in the US, though. Most of our tunnel ventilation shafts – being constructed many years after most of yours in the UK – would have concrete “chimney tops” instead of field stone. (And saying that will probably produce some pictures proving me wrong. [:)] )
Chuck
That’s pretty cool, digging a tunnel from three points. I didn’t know they did that.
~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~
Actually, four points. I can’t remember which tunnel(s) but I know I’ve read of at least one being dug in two directions from what would later be the ventilation shaft and, of course, from both ends. There may even have been examples of more “working faces”.
Early railroad engineering – without modern gadgets and heavy equipment – is simply awe inspiring. There were (mental) giants in the earth in those days.
Chuck
Tunnel Six, I think, of the Central Pacific line over the Sierra Nevada, was built in that fashion–all with manual labor (no power tools yet) and black powder over the course of two and a half years. Four working faces, typical progress a couple of inches a day.
Simply awesome !!
Chuck
Great Norther’s 7.79 mile long Cascade Tunnel in Washington State
was constructed using not only a central shaft (Mill Creek) but also
used a technique called a Pioneer Tunnel. This is a small bore
tunnel run parallel to the main tunnel. Being of smaller cross section,
crews could drive it well in advance of the main one. Then crosscut
tunnels were constructed to link the main to the Pioneer. This allowed
work on the main tunnel to proceed from many working faces at once.
Another advantage is the Pioneer tunnel could be used for transport of
tools, crew, supplies and for mucking operations. This permitted the
contractor-A. Guthrie & Sons.- to complete the Cascade Tunnel in less
than 3 years, and this was using late 1920s technology. The crews set
many records during construction. The Pioneer Tunnel is still in place
alongside the Cascade Tunnel-used for drainage.
Ancient Romans used that technique when digging long tunnels for their aqueducts. So its a technique that’s been around for over 2000 years. And back then, they didn’t have the same surveying technologies as we have today (or even back in the 1800’s).
Even today, some tunnels through the Alps in Europe are being dug this way. Mind you, they dig a shaft, drop down a couple of TBMs (tunnel boring machine) and let them work their ways toward the entrances (being dug by other TBMs). The shafts then serve not only for ventilation, but as emergency exit/access to the tunnel.
[#offtopic]
Boy, have we drifted off this topic … but it sure is fascinating !
[:D][:D]
Chuck