Howdy all,
What is the best material to make a tunnel/mountain out of?
Thanks,
Brody
I like cardboard box strips, used in a lattice pattern, for the shell. You can work quickly with a hot glue gun. For interiors, broken pieces of ceiling tiles create a nice effect.
To create a mountain I like to use fiberglass window screen (I use to use metal window screen until I read that the metal window screen could interfere/disrupt the TMCC signal) stapled to support risers to create the ground contour. I glue and sometimes screw the support risers wherever necessary to adequately support the screen and create the desired contours. Over the fiberglass window screen I apply a layer of plaster cloth. Depending on the size of the mountain, if it is large, I may apply a second layer of plaster cloth. In any case, after the plaster cloth is dry I will coat the mountain surface with a relatively thin layer of plaster to give the mountain added strength. The plaster layer also gives me a hard surface upon which I can "plant" trees a little later down the line. Once the coat of plaster has set/dried I will begin developing any rock work or rock faces that will be apart of the mountain. To do that I either use rock castings or carve fresh (soft) plaster applied to the surface of the mountain.
These photos are of a rock face created from plaster. In this instance I used rock castings and subsequently carved and chiseled to get the effect I was looking for. The second photo shows the rock work after it had been painted, stained with India Ink and some landscaping materials applied.
If you want to have a tunnel liner that goes over the track under your mountain you should build and install it first, prior to building the mountain. I did not do that on a large mountain I built and installing one later proved to be a challenge. You can read about that experience on my website blog. I can tell you that I learned about how to make a realistic looking rock tunnel liner using polyurethane foam and polymer casting resin by viewing Eric Seigel's tutorial on building a tunnel liner. It is certainly a process, but I feel the results were worth the effort.
On his website "Eric's Trains" also has a tutorial about making mountains using the polyurethane foam, fiberglass window screen and polymer casting resin. I have not used the process to build a mountain, but have thought I would when the need for another large mountain arises.
These are just a couple more techniques you can try. Have fun! Bo
You can visit my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com Thanks!
When I have worked for the NS we liked to use rock.
Sorry I couldn't help myself.
Railhed....that really looks great.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Buckeye Riveter When I have worked for the NS we liked to use rock. Sorry I couldn't help myself. Railhed....that really looks great.
He was a contractor. The Great NS would not hire such a person.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
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