Triple Portals ???

[Anonymous]

Hello Everyone

I just joined the forum and am very impressed with the knowledge and experience I see here. I model in HO and have a triple track mainline, spaced on 2 -1/4 inch centers. I need to add a tunnel portal. The edges of the singles are too thick to fit between the tracks. Has anyone ever seen a triple tunnel portal? Thank You

Neal

[camarokid]

Nope. Doesn't mean you can't make your own from what you have already. Any way to cut down the sides on yours? Might not look right though. Can't hurt to try. Just some thoughts.
Archie

[cefinkjr]

Don't know of any triple tracked tunnels except the NYC's four+ tracked Park Avenue tunnel leading to Grand Central Station but that doesn't say it never happened. I suspect there would be some pretty serious problems with supporting the roof of a tunnel that wide through a hill or mountain. In the case of the Park Avenue tunnel, there are (were?) steel columns between tracks supporting the 'roof'.

The prototype solution to the problem was to increase the spacing between tracks to allow separate bores. PRR's tunnels at Gallitzin, PA are a good example (at one time, 4 main line tracks with 3 separate tunnels roughly side-by-side) and there are many others around the country.

Chuck

[cacole]

You should be able to cut and piece together individual portals into a triple-track portal, despite the fact that prototype railroads didn't have them. Another thought would be to cast your own. Measure how wide and high the portal needs to be. Take a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil and bend up the edges to form your portal shape, and then pour plaster into it. After it dries a couple of days, carefully peel off the foil and you're ready to paint the portal and glue it in place.

[Anonymous]

Thank you to all for the reply. I'm going to try to make my own three arch portal using some Central Valley girders as supports in the center. I should have joined this forum awhile ago because I would have learned about proper track spacing. Live and learn. Thanks again


Neal