Running under a waterfall

[Anonymous]

Has anyone had experience with a layout where the train runs under a waterfall? I have plans to do this with a U-shaped tunnel made for 3/16" thick acrylic sheet, 6" wide and 12" tall. The "tunnel" will be secured under and behind the falls so that it protects the train and you can see the train. I'll mortar it so nothing seeps thru and rock the entrances for the natural look. Any comments would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I think that would look good, especially at night if the fall is illuminated and the train is a lit passenger train. As with all tunnels something will try and make it home, in this case probably a frog!
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

Many apologies, I forgot to say [#welcome] and enjoy the forum.

[ghelman]

My layout did have a tunnel that ran under a waterfall. It wasn't made of acrylic, but I like that idea. You may find a lot of algie growth on the acrylic unless you plan on using chlorine in your water. I used chicken wire, wood framing and sandmix concrete. I have since made some changes and dynamited the tunnel to allow for line expansion. Good Luck.

[ttrigg]

My waterfall tunnel is also under construction. The tracks make a 90 degree turn under tha fall. I used cinder block on a 5 inch thick concrete pad. The track under the fall is on an elevated concrete roadbed. I have the track well siliconed in position as I do not want that area to move at all. I spanned the "roof gap with two rebar sections per hole in the cinder block. On top of the rebar I have cinder block "cap stones". Since my pond is "free formed" I used a large sheet of the rubber membrane to cover the entire cinder block works. I have another piece of the membrane that will form the water channel for the falls. I've had a couple of people tell me that what I have done is "overkill" but I would rather be over protected than under protected. I like the idea of the acrylic sheet but the "YARD BOSS" (aka wife) has demanded a certain stone type for the falls area.

[Anonymous]

I was hoping to do the same thing. I even found a 12" Clear PVC pipe I was thinking of using.

Please post pics if you got yours finished. Would love to see it.

thx

jc

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I was planning to extend the platform the water falls from over and beyond the trackage so that the train would run behind the falling water, have water hit bottom below trackage and have a slight ledge extend at roadbed level to catch back splash; thus having train run behind falls so that you would look through water to see train go by, yet not require the plexiglas or acrylic screen (something to get dirty and be cleaned and would probably suffer clouding from winter ice buildup in my area).

Hoping to get progress on that project this fall.

[ttrigg]

would love to see a full set of "construction" photos.

This one sound to be a rather ambisious project. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I just found some pics of one such accomplishment.

http://www.eaglewingsironcraft.com/images/wan_8.jpg

the project is Walter Andersen Nursery's layout in Poway, CA

more pics are available

http://www.eaglewingsironcraft.com/photo.html
scroll down to walter anderson nursery


I couldn't find any of the same pics on their web site but here is the URL for the nursery

http://www.walterandersen.com/

enjoy... and happy planning and building


jc

[ttrigg]

Take a look at the statistics of the Walter Anderson Nursery layout on their website:



Size - 4,459 sqft
water - ~7,000 gal
Rock - ~60 ton
Block - 1,266
Fill Dirt - ~600 cubic yards
total track - 1400 ft
longest loop 292 ft
Trestle length 118 ft
bridges 15
construction 122 days (and this is by Professionals)

the pictures at both
http://www.eaglewingsironcraft.com/photo.html
andhttp://www.walterandersen.com/



do not give the full appreciation. They are about a 45(?) minute drive for me and the wife and I are going there for some plants in about 2~3 weeks. I'm taking my digital camera, If any one wants a "close up" of any patricular spot on the layout send me a note.

[Anonymous]

I tossed out the idea of a plastic sheet to block the water. We made it like "stone hinge" with 3 pillars and a flagstone as the spillway and the falls go over and out about 3 inches from the pond. It looks more natural that way. No pics yet..my camera died! Thanks for all the comments and pics.

[ttrigg]

gvtrainman

Sounds like a most intersting plan, a novel approach. Waiting with baited breath for some pic's.

[railroadyoshi]

gv, seems like a really cool idea!