mlehman Frankly... The idea of the S scale portal could be an option. Depends on size of the detail on the S scale item, the proportions, etc. The need to match the other end may overrule the handiness of an off-the-shelf solution here, but it might work.
Frankly...
The idea of the S scale portal could be an option. Depends on size of the detail on the S scale item, the proportions, etc. The need to match the other end may overrule the handiness of an off-the-shelf solution here, but it might work.
If ever an S scale structure would work on an HO layout, it would be something like a tunnel portal which is typically out in the open, away from HO structures that might easily reflect the difference in scale.
But for the need to match the tunnel portal on the other end, an S scale tunnel portal would be a possible solution.
Rich
Alton Junction
I use architectural matrials all the time that are actually 1:100, but works fine in 1:87. Lots of Plastruct stuff is actually 1:100 as it was originally developed for architectural models, which typically use this scale. I've got some 1:100 figures waiting to be painted; they're just small people. I think they're JTT, but could also be Wee Scapes.
I have a couple of Ertl S scale Toyota Hybrid forklifts. They're smallish in S, but largish in HO. They work.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
zstripe He said He wanted to try to match the other portal at the other end. That's what I was basing My answer on.
He said He wanted to try to match the other portal at the other end. That's what I was basing My answer on.
.
Rich,
I was not talking about cars side swiping in a curve..cars on the inside of the curve, the side of the car hitting the side of the tunnel portal and if running double stacks/auto racks, they will hit the arch.
I am being open minded about innovation....but not a 26% larger detail on the portals, brickwork,timber, stone. He said He wanted to try to match the other portal at the other end. That's what I was basing My answer on. I didn't notice any plain concrete portals on the link You gave, also they were single track, He would still need to widen it.
Once a plaster cast tunnel portal has been widened, painted and weathered, it's almost impossible to tell.
Take Care!
Frank
SouthPenn I test all my track work with a test car that I made. ( not an original idea; I read about it some where ) I cut a piece of 1/8" plexiglass to the size of my largest car. I mounted a pair of trucks and couplers to it. The car is very light and when gently pushed around the track ( by hand ) you can check your track work. If there is a problem you can watch the trucks through the plexiglass. You can also check your clearances. When you are happy with your work, attach the car to an engine and double check it. South Penn
I test all my track work with a test car that I made. ( not an original idea; I read about it some where )
I cut a piece of 1/8" plexiglass to the size of my largest car. I mounted a pair of trucks and couplers to it.
The car is very light and when gently pushed around the track ( by hand ) you can check your track work. If there is a problem you can watch the trucks through the plexiglass. You can also check your clearances. When you are happy with your work, attach the car to an engine and double check it.
South Penn
I have one of those, too.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
zstripe Amazingly....some people don't allow for the inside sideswipe of the long cars. S-scale!!??!!
Amazingly....some people don't allow for the inside sideswipe of the long cars.
S-scale!!??!!
Regarding an S scale tunnel portal on an HO scale layout, you need to be more open-minded about innovation. Once you start widening and heightening HO scale tunnel portals, you are effectively increasing the scale anyhow. So, why not just use S scale tunnel portals and be done with it? HO scale is approximately 26% smaller than S scale, so will the casual viewer really notice that difference on a tunnel portal, and if he will, won't he also notice that the HO scale tunnel portal has been heightened and widened, effectively ncreasing the scale?
richhotrain zstripe what ever You decide on...make sure Your tallest rolling stock will fit under the side arch's and long cars on the inside if a curve, will not hit the side arch. But, of course.
zstripe what ever You decide on...make sure Your tallest rolling stock will fit under the side arch's and long cars on the inside if a curve, will not hit the side arch.
what ever You decide on...make sure Your tallest rolling stock will fit under the side arch's and long cars on the inside if a curve, will not hit the side arch.
But, of course.
Frankie
My vote is for Selector's way. I have done it before with random stone.....what ever You decide on...make sure Your tallest rolling stock will fit under the side arch's and long cars on the inside if a curve, will not hit the side arch.
Have Fun!
streetspook Rich, thanks for that thought. I would look at that as a definite possibility except I just knuckled down and moved one track closer to the other. I'm hoping it was enough. We will see, come the first run through that tunnel. Bill
Rich, thanks for that thought. I would look at that as a definite possibility except I just knuckled down and moved one track closer to the other. I'm hoping it was enough. We will see, come the first run through that tunnel.
Bill
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=&scale=S&manu=&item=&keywords=tunnel+portal&words=restrict&instock=Q&showdisc=Y&split=30&Submit=Search
Hi South Penn and thanks for the advice. I would probably use that method except I knuckled down and pulled up one set of track, actually I just dislodged it from the glue and shoved it closer to the other set. I think I have enough room. Obviously I will take it real slow with the first run through that tunnel.
How about an S scale tunnel portal?
Here is a picture depicting what Steven Otte suggested.
My Layout Pics
Buy a retaining wall of random stone from the same manufacturer of the portal. Cut a piece of the retaining wall and install it in the center of the cut in half portal.
"IS THAT CLEAR?" "Crystal". Hi Steve, got it and that may be the solution. I'll have to do some real critical measurements and decide. I really don't have lots of room. I'll try to attach a pic or two, hmmmm. Tried sending pic from my phone to my email. Still waiting on that. If I get them I'll try and add to my post.
Thanks, great job on that. I want to try and match what's on the other end of the tunnel which is random cut stone and I think that will give me lots more trouble trying to match up the pieces then flat concrete but it may be the way I go. Thank you.
Here is a W/S double wide concrete portal, but with a plug filling the vertical split halfway through the keystone. I tried using carved extruded insulation foam board and also a shaped piece of retaining wall of the same plaster, same provider. Both worked. I used a light smear of DAP Alex Plus white caulk as an adhesive.
If your tracks are too far apart for a standard double portal, then you may be able to do something with the space in between. Try using two single portals, but instead of side by side, stagger them slightly. In between, run a vertical retaining wall parallel to the tracks. I'll do my best to make a simple diagram from type...
- - -_(————- - (——————
- - -_(————
- - (——————
...is that clear enough?
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Hi Roger. I gave moving the tracks a quick look and shied away from it at my initial reaction but that may be the way I go if I can't find a reasonable way to make one. I'll text or email you later with the details of what I have.
Thanks for the thought Dave. There is room for a very thin support if I don't want to eliminate my safety factor for oversized loads but I'm not sure if that would solve my problem with matching the tops where they come together but I'll give it a ponder.
Hi Lion, good to hear from you as always. I looked at doing what you suggested but I'm leaning towards trying to find/create a solid one but your idea is definitely in the plan "B" file. Thanks
Andrew, I have that issue, it's been waiting for me to have some quiet time to sit with it. I'll check it out, thanks.
Thank you Mike for the pics. Great work there! Hope my feeble attempts at least approach your finish. I'll look into your suggestions.
Thank you Chuck for the tips. You've given me food for thought. I'll look around at what is available out there and decide how much into the weeds I want to go.
If there is room for a narrow support between the tracks you can make something from two singles.
Bill,
Another thought: how difficult would it be to re-lay one or both tracks bringing them closer together?
Roger