|
Post by markm on May 24, 2018 17:17:28 GMT -5
Brick is a bit unusual for U.S. tunnels, typically near large cities that produced bricks. After looking at the web sites, I learned that concrete portals were far more common on the east coast lines than I realized and would be typical even in the steam era. They are easy to scratch build using styrene. Here's the prototype for one I'm modeling for my layout: Mark
|
|
|
Post by neverland on May 24, 2018 20:15:07 GMT -5
Brick is a bit unusual for U.S. tunnels, typically near large cities that produced bricks. After looking at the web sites, I learned that concrete portals were far more common on the east coast lines than I realized and would be typical even in the steam era. They are easy to scratch build using styrene. Here's the prototype for one I'm modeling for my layout: Mark Where is this tunnel located?
|
|
|
Post by markm on May 24, 2018 20:38:25 GMT -5
The tunnel is on the old SP Tracy branch in the Altamont Pass area. It can be seen in part from the #1 lane of eastbound I580 just east of the WP/UP highway overpass and I believe the from the ACE trains which use the WP/UP line. and was the final leg of the transcontinental railroad (Sacramento to Oakland and ferry to San Francisco). The line ran through Niles Canyon through Niles junction (Sven) and was the freight alternative to the ferries Solano and Contra Costa (guess who) and the 1918 railroad bridge at Benicia. At times WP and SP shared the tracks through the pass with SP = east bound and WP = west bound.
BTW: my current modeling project is called the Altamont and Western Railroad (A&W RR).
Mark
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 25, 2018 1:26:22 GMT -5
So, finally : cut stone, random stone or cement/concrete ? No natural rocks, timber or bricks ?
|
|
|
Post by markm on May 25, 2018 9:37:32 GMT -5
So, finally : cut stone, random stone or cement/concrete ? No natural rocks, timber or bricks ? In general, yes. But you can always find exceptions if you look hard enough.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 14:03:08 GMT -5
PS about fire lookout towers : I found some (real) metallic models in Massachusetts ... but Gray Brothers don't work in metal, and I don't like Lasercut (Animek) : it looks fine, but is it durable ?
|
|
|
Post by neverland on May 27, 2018 4:27:47 GMT -5
PS about fire lookout towers : I found some (real) metallic models in Massachusetts ... but Gray Brothers don't work in metal, and I don't like Lasercut (Animek) : it looks fine, but is it durable ? I haven't found a laser cut model that went together well or looked durable. I'm not a novice when it comes to assembling kits of all kinds, but I've failed miserably when attempting a fire tower-- something I'd really like on my own layout. The struts and stairs are challenging, and I do t have a paint sprayer so painting by hand is fiddly. Sounds like you're leaning towards a custom tower, which means finding a modeler to make one. Good luck with that. I'd be interested in hearing if you find someone.
|
|
|
Post by markm on May 27, 2018 12:40:29 GMT -5
When you are talking about a fire lookout I assume you are looking for something like thi one down the road from my house: californialookouts.weebly.com/mt-zion.htmlWhen you think about it, the lookout is really just a railroad yard tower. While that still doesn't help since I'm not aware of any available kit. However you might want to look at the details for how it was done in N scale: www.traincat2.com/Manuals/YardTower.pdfIt wouldn't be cheap, but all the parts, "I" and "L" beams, stairs, railings, and surfaces are available in Z scale. Hope this helps, Mark
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2018 14:10:18 GMT -5
Thanks, Mark, I found this. If I modify the shelter a little, it would not be perfect, but "alike" ... I could even keep the handrails, had only to build a closed structure with Evergreen.
|
|
|
Post by animek on May 28, 2018 11:54:32 GMT -5
PS about fire lookout towers : I found some (real) metallic models in Massachusetts ... but Gray Brothers don't work in metal, and I don't like Lasercut (Animek) : it looks fine, but is it durable ? Yes, it is very durable because PolyBak⢠is a polymer impregnated Kraft liner board, it is moisture resistance, high strength and flexible.
|
|
|
Post by emaley on Jun 2, 2018 10:49:03 GMT -5
Don't underestimate Animek products. The finished items are very nice. I too, was concerned about the polybak material, but I really like it. Some construction is a bit complex, but doable if you take your time. The signal towers were surprisingly easy and look great. I also built the coaling tower and I am very impressed with the results. Give it a closer look.
Trey
|
|
|
Post by dazed on Jun 2, 2018 11:11:54 GMT -5
I don't like Lasercut (Animek) : it looks fine, but is it durable ? Just don't climb on it.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2018 11:34:18 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by neverland on Sept 12, 2018 12:05:36 GMT -5
Cool! Just what you were looking for!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2018 0:53:16 GMT -5
1) The forestry tower looks fine, once painted ; I stored it in a STRONG cardboard box, till I can put it on my layout. Despite of the fact that I am still working on the electronics, I already prepared some structures ...
2) Today I found this link about a tunnel in PA ; it seems it was in service till 1956, and one of the portals was blasted rock. The Appalachian Mountains are both in PA and in MA ; So I wonder if it would not be interesting to use at least one such portal on my layout (located in Massachusetts, middle of the 60's), I need a total of 6 portals and this would allow to vary their design a little : two concrete versions, two stone versions, one blasted rock ; and for the last one ? Could a timber version be a provisional version ("maintenance") ? Was the picture of the PA layout (with the diesel locomotives) perhaps such a situation, waiting for a new "final" portal to be built ?
|
|