How to close tunnel portals

[IRB Souther Engineer]

I think I will go with the U-channel. Thanks for the help.

[ttrigg]

Mt Beenak

But, be vewy, vewy careful if you use metal for the drop-in piece. You do not want to create a short across your tracks. I did !

Mick

If he emulates a round house door correctly, he will have "contours" cut into the boom of the door to clear the rails and ties and such.

[Mt Beenak]

The 'U' channel and the sliding door is a good idea.  I have done the same thing where the railroad enters my garage.  The 'drawbridge' is on the inside, and blends in to the backdrop. 

But, be vewy, vewy careful if you use metal for the drop-in piece.  You do not want to create a short across your tracks.  I did !

Mick

[ttrigg]

IRB: Just add a "U" channel to each side of your portal just large enough to drop in a "door". If you can find "tempered masonite" and give it a good paint job that should do the job quite well. You might even use a thin marine plywood, or galvanized roof flashing.

You could go "all out" and build hinged doors into your portal. Model them after round top roundhouse doors and they should blend into your layout just fine.

[PJM20]

A section from the Mountain Scaping article, in the February 2010 Garden Railways issue, talks about using doors briefly. I think their is an article in one issue that talks about in more detail, but I can't remeber which issue. Hope this helps. - Peter

[IRB Souther Engineer]

I soon need to add a portal to my (almost complete) tunnel and would like to be able to close off the tunnel at night. I'm wondering what the best way to do this is.