Feedback on building a Modular Tunnel Layout

[Anonymous]

I am new to the hobby and have been taking my two children and my nephew to the local train club. Well last week they gave us a clean HO 2 x 4 foot module for the four of us to work on as our own. The kids decided they would like to have a tunnel with a mountain, which I didnt think was a bad idea considering the two modules to our left were winter scenes and there was no other tunnel on the whole layout . So this is what I had in mind and I wanted your feedback. I would make the mountain on a 2 ' by 2' piece of foam raised up by about seven inches ( 2 2x4's on top of each on each side) . Thus giving me plent of clearance for the train and giving easy access to the track. The mountain would be made out of plaster guaze, newspaper, and a couple of juice bottle in various sizes for the peaks. I picked up two random stone double track tunnel portals and was going to run a retaining wall the length of the module parrellel to the double track. Then elevated 7 inches to be at the same level as the mountain was going to be a small pond or river at the base of the mountain. Next to the water was to be a farm. Does ths sound doable for a beginner or do you think I'm getting ahead of myself. Thanks in advance.[:)]

Orion

[Anonymous]

It sounds like a lot going on for a 2x4 foot module. In HO scale, that is only about 180 feet by 360 feet. That's less than 2 acres (an acre is just over 200x200 feet). However, it is possible to put quite a bit of stuff on a module since you are running the track through the mountain, so everything else would be "on top"...

Some thoughts:

The transition from the winter scenes via a mountain is a really good idea - winter on one side to match, and spring/summer on the other... [:D]

If this module is to be portable, and go to the club regularly, you will want to check their standards. You will also want to keep it light weight! I would recommend building the entire mountain out of extruded foam. This is the pink or blue stuff used on the outside of houses. You can cut it to make the tunnel too - forget the 2x4s. You can carve it with a sharp steak knife (not for the kids!) or a hot wire cutter (also not for the kids - at least not without supervision), and shape it with a rasp or surform tool. You may not even need to plaster it if you can get the final contours you like - just paint it with a brownish latex paint, and put on your groundcover and other scenery.

If you go with the tunnel, you might want to put a "rerailer" on the track inside.

For more ideas on what you can do in 2x4 modules, look at my local club:
www.hotrak.ca

Good luck!

Andrew

[Anonymous]

Masonjar,
Thanks for the advice I apreciate the help. I noticed your club is in the Ottawa Valley, I'm assuming Ottawa Ontario? I'm about an hour and a half to your Southwest near Watertown, NY. We brought the kids to Winterlude in Ottawa during our February break and had a great time.

Again thanks for the help.

Scott

[Anonymous]

Scott...

No problem! Glad you enjoyed Winterlude. Did you see the railway history display at the north (downtown) end of the Canal skateway? It was right outside the old Union Station (now a government conference centre). If not - check here for Ottawa's railway history - http://www.railways.incanada.net/

I am relatively new to the modular concept, but let me know if I can help with the plan. I'd be interested to hear more about your modular group.

Andrew