To cut hole[s] in walls for tunnels. how tall and how wide?

[ChiefEagles]

To be sure that all modern rolling stock [husky stacks and etc.] can make it through a tunnel, what is your recommendation on portal heigth and width [single track and double track]?

[mackb4]

I would like to know that myself.The layout I'm still planning and revising over and over keeps getting changed every time I see a new scale car come out.I'm going to put a branch line into another room(more for storage tracks).I was guessing to make the boar at least one inch above the tallest piece of equipment on rail that I have.That's just a ballpark figure .

[willpick]

Chief & Mackb4, If I could do what you are planning, I'd use the dimensions that the real railroads use-- Height 23 ft. and width 14-15 ft.(scaled down to O dimensions of course!) . This should clear most modern equipment, as I don't know of any rair car that won't fit those dimensions(except maybe a Schnabel transporter car).
HTH

[tmcc man]

Chief, if you have a husky stack laying around, I would mark how high the car is, and add the height of the realtrax roadbed that you are using. So, the height of the realtrax is about an inch, and add that to the height of the husky stack car, and I think that would work. That is what I did with a tunnel I built for my layout and it worked well.

[tmcc man]

For width, I would take your widest engine, and if it is double, multiply it by 2 and add 2 inches, maybe 3 if its on a curve. On a straight, I would put an inch clearance on both sides, maybe 2 because of the spacing between the tracks.

[Anonymous]

Chief....If it's at all possible make generous holes in your walls that can later be scaled down with portals. I'd want portal dimensions at least 6'' from railtop to keystone and 4" width for a single straight track. Of course the opening height will vary with the type of track and roadbed used. The tallest piece of equipment I have is a scale GG1 and with raised pantograph it will barely clear the 6" portal described above as long as the opening is rectangular. I can't think of a taller piece of equipment unless it's another electric.

Bruce Webster

[Blueberryhill RR]

Chief... One question I will ask is...Is this portal on a straight track or a curved track ??.. I went with 7 inches from the top of the track. It's a little high but I can scale it down easily. I have a track of 42 " radius and a track of 31 " radius taking a curve thru a portal. I was surprised how wide I had to go to allow all the various cars to clear each other and the portal sides.
Chuck

[jonadel]

Lots of good advice here, I would use all of these ideas and then make it even bigger especially if you are using double track.


Jon

[Big_Boy_4005]

The dimensions are 4" wide, and 7" tall. The only thing you need to keep in mind is, if this is on a curve, you may need it slightly wider to accomodate overhang from longer cars. That's single track of course, double the width for double track.

Frank, I'm surprised you don't remember the helix.[;)]

[CSX FAN]

Chief

I used a triple portal on my layout for my 2 track main curve. I have 7" in hieght and 10" in width. My MTH Big Boy still hit the side but barley. I have a minimum of 2 1/4" from the edge of a curve to the outside rail I think 2 1/2" may be better if you have the clearance. That amout doesn't look out of proportion. I have a 1 1/2" inside minimum to deal with the big diesels and the Cascade engine or the Auto Carrier. I have 072" and 083" curves.

On the Hieght, I have 6 1/2" above the top of the rail and wish I had more The Schanble and the Auto cars from MTH are the tallest I have. But I'm now adding catenary and wish I had another inch under my bridges and tunnels. I similar problem the east coast railroads have. Who knows what will be made next? Wide Loads?

On thing that has gotten me is the Lionel Hell gate bridge 2 track. I have stuff that I can't see any space but they don't hit. It would be a good straight track templete. I use Gargraves.

Jamie

[Buckeye Riveter]

Dear Blueberry,
It is obvious that my services are going to be required in Roseyville in the near future. Would you like to join me on the road trip to shore up Chief's house after he makes this hole in the wall, cuts several load bearing suport members and the house starts to become instable. Please bring your own hammer and crow bar. [(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

(I can't believe Pam is letting him do this or does she know???????)[:0][:0][:0]

[csxt30]

BOY, this is serious & I hope you guys can get there in time. Better start packing,
maybe I can send some tools down in time !
Right now, time is of the escence ! [:D][:D]
Also, better get a hold of DR. John , we have to try & save the marriage too ! [:D]
Hope this helps, John !

[Anonymous]

If my wife knew I was cutting holes in the wall for a tunnel, it would have to be large enough for me to bring my mattress cause thats where id be sleeping!!
lot of luck!! with the project and the wife

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxt30

BOY, this is serious & I hope you guys can get there in time. Better start packing,
maybe I can send some tools down in time !
Right now, time is of the escence ! [:D][:D]
Also, better get a hold of DR. John , we have to try & save the marriage too ! [:D]
Hope this helps, John !

John, it sorta reminds me of hurricane relief. In this case the hurricane is Pam. the Chief is FEMA and we are the Coast Guard. Maybe Dr. John should go in first so Blueberry and I don't get shot.

[Blueberryhill RR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

Dear Blueberry,
It is obvious that my services are going to be required in Roseyville in the near future. Would you like to join me on the road trip to shore up Chief's house after he makes this hole in the wall, cuts several load bearing suport members and the house starts to become instable. Please bring your own hammer and crow bar. [(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

(I can't believe Pam is letting him do this or does she know???????)[:0][:0][:0]

Yes, Buckeye, I believe you are right. I think he is sneaking upstairs
and making cuts. This could be a mess.

[jonadel]

I hope Chief has a notarized document from Pam giving her permission for wall bashing. When you boys go in for a rescue keep your heads low[8D]

Jon

[daan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blueberryhill RR

QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

Dear Blueberry,
It is obvious that my services are going to be required in Roseyville in the near future. Would you like to join me on the road trip to shore up Chief's house after he makes this hole in the wall, cuts several load bearing suport members and the house starts to become instable. Please bring your own hammer and crow bar. [(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

(I can't believe Pam is letting him do this or does she know???????)[:0][:0][:0]

Yes, Buckeye, I believe you are right. I think he is sneaking upstairs
and making cuts. This could be a mess.

How can you sneak up and drill holes on the wall without anyone noticing it? [:D]

[Blueberryhill RR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by daan

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blueberryhill RR

QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

Dear Blueberry,
It is obvious that my services are going to be required in Roseyville in the near future. Would you like to join me on the road trip to shore up Chief's house after he makes this hole in the wall, cuts several load bearing suport members and the house starts to become instable. Please bring your own hammer and crow bar. [(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

(I can't believe Pam is letting him do this or does she know???????)[:0][:0][:0]

Yes, Buckeye, I believe you are right. I think he is sneaking upstairs
and making cuts. This could be a mess.

How can you sneak up and drill holes on the wall without anyone noticing it? [:D]

Daan..She probably thinks he's running his trains.

[ChiefEagles]

Believe it or not, the trains running into the walkin attic was HER idea. [:0][:p][:)] Toots, did the YOUNG lady of yur house give yuo permission to go through walls? [?]

[Blueberryhill RR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChiefEagles

Believe it or not, the trains running into the walkin attic was HER idea. [:0][:p][:)] Toots, did the YOUNG lady of yur house give yuo permission to go through walls? [?]

Yep, it was her idea also. The only question she asked was ...Why they
came back out. I have to think about this.
Did " your young lady " realize she had to clean up all her junk first???

[Anonymous]

When I cut a dual-track tunnel thru my wife's pantry she later complained about dust on the soup cans. Some people just don't have the right perspective.[V]

[ChiefEagles]

See us NC guys [Leonard and I] have very cooperative wives. You Yankees are in another situation. [}:)][B)]

[Blueberryhill RR]

So, after Chiefie finished cutting the 7 foot by 4 foot
hole in the wall, he looked at the instructions and said
" OH, NO, that was suppose to be inches, NOT FEET !!!!

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blueberryhill RR

So, after Chiefie finished cutting the 7 foot by 4 foot
hole in the wall, he looked at the instructions and said
" OH, NO, that was suppose to be inches, NOT FEET !!!!

And now you know one reason we better head to Roseyville.[:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blueberryhill RR

So, after Chiefie finished cutting the 7 foot by 4 foot
hole in the wall, he looked at the instructions and said
" OH, NO, that was suppose to be inches, NOT FEET !!!!

With dimensions like that it'd put opening level with the floor...which is where the layout is located now, right? Perfect![;)]

Bruce Webster

[wrmcclellan]

Sure are a lot of assumptions here that the Chief is cutting holes in HIS wall for some stealth layout he keeps talking about.

Maybe he was really asking for someone else!

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blueberryhill RR

So, after Chiefie finished cutting the 7 foot by 4 foot
hole in the wall, he looked at the instructions and said
" OH, NO, that was suppose to be inches, NOT FEET !!!!

You scared me there. I had to go back and make sure I wasn't the one who told him feet. Two ticks for inches, right?[swg]

[overall]

A TRUE STORY,

Once upon a time I lived in a house with a small mother-in-law house out back. That became the home for my trains while we lived there. I wanted a wye so I could turn trains. One leg of the wye was going to run into a wall. On the other side of that wall was a closet. Well, I took several days to work up the coutage but one dark and stormy night, I got out the drill and handsaw and did the dirty deed. Icut a hole in the wall to run track through.I built a shelf inside the closet to use for a staging yard. It was MY house , right? I was the MAN of the house, Lord of the Manor etc. I could surely modify it to suit myself couldn't I? We moved away from there and I never did quite get around to telling my wife what I did. Oh well.

George

[tmcc man]

All i have to say is call homeland security when Chiefie has a power tool in his hands. [:O][:O][;)][}:)]