Southern Pacific's Jefferson Branch

[ratled]

Happy New Year!!!!  

@ Mike No kidding!   Here is screen grab from the Alberta video for those who didn't see it ...... remember it's in N Scale



Tunnel #5

I just realized that I never talked about the tunnel #5 build.  It serves as the gateway to the “rest of the world” on the layout. 
It’s based on this photo I took 12 years ago of an old SP tunnel just north of Reading CA off I 5.



I did a mock up and that was posted a few updates ago.  For the actual tunnel build I used some 3/4” stock I had laying around and
drew out the opening based off of one my reference books.   A 2” hole saw bit was used to drill out the top of the tunnel and a table
saw to make the sides of the opening.    

The tunnel portal sides are from strip basswood glued to form the steps.   Some scraps in the wood box made the reliefs at the top of
the portal.  The whole thing received a good sanding and 2 coats of Kilz sealer.



I gave it a couple of quick coats of gray craft paint to give it color.   The tunnel liner is from a yard sale sign, 50 cents at Walmart.  Since I had made a couple of
the tunnel portals I used those to help form the shape.  It’s glued in place and track nails make sure it stays there.    The back of the portal
was reinforced The inside got 2 coats of a gray primer and the outside got black primer.   







It still needs a little work and some weathering.   I have the relay box ready to go and I will add the wire too.



All in all I liked the way it came out…….