How would you remove it
Trouble is the tunnel is on a curve so you just can’t push some thing staight tru
A mystery, wrapped in a enigma. You have lost a track cleaning roll.
The real video link is
We can’t tell how far it is from either end of the tunnel, but a shop vac ought to be able to get it.
There are flexible pick up tools with a claw on one end; you can do the googling. You could stiffen it into a curve by wrapping it with something like 14 ga solid wire. They are only 3’ long.
I like Henry’s ideas. I would try the shop vac, and then, if not the claw tool, maybe a peice of heavy wire, bent to the shape of the tunnel, with a hook on the end, and try to fish it out, or at least get it close enough to where you can reach in and get it.
I have a long hidden area, but I made all of the scenery and buildings that are on top of it, removable. I’ve had to use that option a couple of times.
Mike.
How far is it from the far portal, or any potential access? I agree with bending a piece of wire to try to get it out. You don’t even need to cut it off the spool!
Its about equal distance of 24 inches from both ends
I bought a Harbor Freight 36” Grabber for my long tunnels. I have access doors but sometimes the grabber is easier to retrieve things from my tunnels and also picking up dropped stuff with out having to bend over, great help for my arthritis.
https://www.harborfreight.com/36-in-pickup-and-reach-tool-61413.html
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
If you don’t have any wire you can try using a metal coat hanger.
i would vote for the grabber, but also i have installed one or two LED’s in tunneles with a switch so i can see if i can use grabber or have to crawel under layout.
Do you know what’s in the tunnel?
Did we not build the tunnel with access from underneath, a removable top or other means of access? Were we not thinking?
Is there a structure or isolated bit of terrain that could be made removable?
I did make the top half removable but it always makes a big mess when doing so
I thought there may be an easyier way with less damage to the scenery
So far I like the flexible grabber idea the best
Have your engine pull a string through the tunnel. Tie one end of the string to an old cotton t-shirt, then pull (by hand !) the t-shirt through the tunnel. It should catch the offending object and pull it through with the shirt.
Mark.
A length of 12-2 Romex works great for fishing for things like this. Holds shape and larger surface area of the insulation can help hook or move things.
Whatever works for you. My double tunnels have a duck up hole, which works, but frankly takes a bit of a contortionist to use it.
The mountain with he tunnel also has 2 other tracks for a loads in empties out
So its too crowded for duck up hole so i sliced the top half of the mountain off to gain access to those tracks but lifting it up always causes damage to the scenery so im looking for a way to reach obstructions
I took a piece of rail and bent one end into a hook shape. I taped it to a wooden dowel. It might take two or three tries but it always works for me. Even retrieves derailed cars.
Besides, everybody has a piece of rail. [;)]
Terry, it’s been four days…any luck with your problem?
Wayne
Someone should check the basement. Maybe the tunnel collapsed and trapped his arm.