Moonson posted:I would suggest you consider having a second level over part of the loops. That would give the trains, in his imagination, somewhere to go to and somewhere from which to return.... Even being out-of-sight for a few seconds nourishes the imagination, in my opinion, for adults as well as children.
FrankM, Moon Township, USA
I agree with FrankM that even a short tunnel, such as the four-footer on my 10’-by-5’ layout, adds great interest, especially to a small layout. It’s not just that a train is out of sight for a few seconds but that it is interesting to watch it pass through the portals entering and exiting the tunnel. But it’s important to integrate the tunnel into the terrain so that it doesn’t look artificial. First three photos show an overview of my four-foot tunnel, the east portal and the south portal.
OP Question
Canes RR posted:.... Disappearing trains is a great idea...I originally shied away from tunnels because of track cleaning concerns but that would be a good way to add a level of scenery too...now that you have me thinking of it, I could do a tunnel in the back corner against the wall and leave it open in the back for service. How do you guys handle track cleaning with tunnels?
My tunnel sits in a corner at the rear of the layout. The interior stone walls extend to all parts of the tunnel that are visible when looking into the tunnel from the portals. My solution for track cleaning was to cut an opening in the rear corner wall of the tunnel through which I can get my hand and arm into the center of the tunnel to clean the track using alcohol on a rag. I clean the track near the entrance and exit by reaching through the portals. The entire tunnel and hillside are a single structure that can be lifted off the layout if necessary, although I rarely do that. The last two photos show the interior of the tunnel as viewed through the rear opening. The rear wall helps to support the hillside.
MELGAR
