The central VA door layout progress

Caleb Austin Apr 14, 2009

  1. Caleb Austin

    Caleb Austin TrainBoard Member

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    Little Rock Tunnel Construction.

    I started to build LR tunnel today.

    First, I built a frame for the tunnel using bits of Styrofoam.

    [​IMG]

    The main sheet of foam will be the roof. The track is merely being used as a guide for gluing the walls.

    (BTW, if you clicked "Last Page" and this is the first thing you see, I posted more info on this tunnel and layout on the previous page.)
     
  2. Caleb Austin

    Caleb Austin TrainBoard Member

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    The completed frame. The foam was a bit uneven so he strips of cork are shims to even things out.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Caleb Austin

    Caleb Austin TrainBoard Member

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    Next plaster was poured on so the frame.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Caleb Austin

    Caleb Austin TrainBoard Member

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    And then Crumpled up tin-foil was pressed into the plaster. I pressed it into the right shape for a tunnel liner.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Caleb Austin

    Caleb Austin TrainBoard Member

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    Once the plaster dried I pulled out the foil and here is the result.:)

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Caleb Austin

    Caleb Austin TrainBoard Member

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    In place on the layout with a first pass of rock carving on the portal face.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Caleb Austin

    Caleb Austin TrainBoard Member

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    Close-up on the portal face.

    [​IMG]

    I am trying to match the textures on the real rock face much as possible. It still needs some work but its getting there.

    The real rock face.

    [​IMG]

    That's all for tonight.
     
  8. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

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    Caleb,
    You make it look too easy, nice work.
     
  9. Cajonpassfan

    Cajonpassfan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Caleb, very nice; can't wait to see it colored up like the prototype. Great work!!!
    Otto
     
  10. CSXDixieLine

    CSXDixieLine Passed Away January 27, 2013 In Memoriam

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    Very nice, and good research photos too. Jamie
     
  11. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wow....nice job! Thats looking really good. Look forward to more! :)
     
  12. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Catching up on your posts, I think I am going to be ordering some of the Supertrees to add to my layout. Great job as usual! :)
     
  13. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    What a great way to get a "rock" tunnel.. I was wondering what to do to create one, now I know! Great job!
     
  14. CraigN

    CraigN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Very nice work Caleb! You sure are talented!

    Craig
     
  15. CSXDixieLine

    CSXDixieLine Passed Away January 27, 2013 In Memoriam

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    I just built my first batch of SuperTrees last night, using Caleb's method described earlier in this thread. I can't believe how good they look temporarily planted on the layout. $20 for the bulk box from the LHS makes me a happy model railroader. :) They really are the way to go, and following Caleb's technique takes just a few minutes per tree.

    Jamie
     
  16. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sounds great Jamie! :)
     
  17. N7CZ

    N7CZ TrainBoard Member

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    That tunnel looks great!
     
  18. MOPMAN

    MOPMAN TrainBoard Member

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    Great job. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
     
  19. Caleb Austin

    Caleb Austin TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks guys!

    Jamie, glad to hear the Super Trees are working out for you.

    Today I attached the "wing wall"(I think I heard that term used somewhere to describe this..) rock formation to the tunnel. The wing wall is a modified casting. I attached it using plaster.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The next step will be adding a wing wall to the other side.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 11, 2010
  20. Caleb Austin

    Caleb Austin TrainBoard Member

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    And now the second wall is on. With this, the plaster phase on the western portal is about finished. :)

    [​IMG]
     

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