i would like to know the best way of doing it and i have backdrop that divide my layout
This question can be answered in many ways. You can get ten different methods by ten different people. You could start by posting a photo of your layout and where you want the tunnel/mountain to go. This will make it easier to suggest something. Also try googling " Building HO mountains or tunnels" you will be surprised at what comes up. Also do a U-tube search. There are some how to videos on there. This is a good place to find answers but you need to give more info. Good luck.
Brent
I have a tunnel about 10" from the back of my layout, with a transitional track behind it. This track connects my lower level to the upper. I made the portal out of a piece of foam, which I then carved rocks into it, then covered with plaster. Look at the last picture. If your layout has more room behind this, add the backdrop behind the mountain to blend in this scene (which is what I will do), then you could paint the backside of the backdrop to match the scenery on the other side.
If you look at the third picture, you’ll see a thin strip of wood under the top layer of foam; this is because the top of the mountain lifts off for access to the tracks underneath. The last photo is missing some added scenery, this just happens to be the last picture that I’ve uploaded.
Medina1128,
Looking good! What did you use to carve the stone seams into the foam. I have seen several techiniques, but always interested in seeing the different methods that have worked for other folks.
Thank you,
Thanks! Actually, I cut ouf the shape of the portal, then covered THAT with a coat of plaster. Then, I just used the corner of a flat-tip screwdriver to carve out the stones.
Medina: That’s one good-looking tunnel portal! [bow]
As to tunnels in general–I would suggest to the OP that first of all, that since your railroad is divided by a scenic backdrop that perhaps a range of hills large enough to warrant a tunnel might be devised against your backdrop. Perhaps about 3" or so in front of the backdrop–enough to give it a three-dimensional aspect. I don’t know what area of the country you’re modeling, so it’s hard to give you specific advice. But remember, tunnels are generally only constructed through hills where a cut would prove prohibitively expensive, or going around the particular obstacle would add additional mileage to the route.
I model the Sierra Nevada of California, which means that my own Yuba River Sub has to tunnel frequently through steep mountain ridges. I’ve got 5 tunnels on my layout, and they all divide ‘scenes’ as the railroad climbs from foothills to high mountains. And they’re only there because going around the mountains would add too much mileage to the track. Therefore: You drill a tunnel.
Out here in the West, it’s about the only way you can run a railroad from one place to another, what with the Rockies, Cascades and Sierra Nevada, LOL! They’re pretty much a necessity to keep both grades and mileage at least within reason over our steep mountain passes.
Here’s some of mine:
Lined stone-faced tunnel cut through Sierra clay under a ridge in the South Yuba Canyon:
Concrete lined through San Juan Ridge:
[IMG]http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub/DSC03767.jp
I’ve done this similar technique and it really comes out nice. I first did mine with a foam base with Sculptamold on it, and it came out good. My next try is going to be with a foam base and modelers clay as a face and see how that works.
Tunnels are mainstays on so many layouts, and they are fun to make. I haven’t seen one I didn’t like!
You must place the tunnel where it fits into your overall vision of the terrain on your layout. You can’t just plunk it here…no, two inches to the right…and expect it to work and look like it belongs as opposed to something stuck where there was nothing else going on. It should be part of a hill or an elevation of some kind. So, you can glue or caulk the portals where you want them, make sure they are well fastened and vertical, and that you have clearances for the trains, and then build a mountain between them. It is rare to have tunnels much less than about 100’, so if you want it all to look realistic, keep tha in mind when you form the hill that is atop those portals.
Therefore, track plan first, then lay out the tracks according to the track plan, prove it with trains in each direction, then cover the tracks with wide masking tape. When your tracks are protected from dust and plaster, and sprays, fix your portals where you need them to be, and then form the mountain over them. Quite straightforward, really.
-Crandell
Hi from Belgium,
There is no good rules to make a tunnel, but they are effective and fun to do; just try to justify as far as possible the geologic strata of the terrain to make them, they will be more convincing.
There is a lot of portal aviable on the market, may be to much[dinner]
Try to make a full modeled entry tunnel, by modeling a few inches inside the tunnel.
Paint these few inches a more darker color than outside to improve the “black hole” looking.
Avoid to put the entry a way that yours visitor can see inside so they can see the foam or the wood bracing inside.
If you made long run tunnel (like me, 7 feet in Nscale) put track detector, may be a rerailer and acces if a derailment occurs.[B)]
Marc