Martin sent in this wonderful model train tunnels ‘how-to’. It’s so easy to follow – and look absolutely stunning.
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“Here’s “My way” of making scenic items to place on model railway layouts. I produce many different models usually which have some form or rock face, but not all are landscaped the same although I do tend to put plenty of grasses & many bushes on my models.:
This project is a single track tunnel entrance designed to fit in the corner of a layout with the track running behind the back scène to a ‘fiddle yard’.:
First I use a type of insulation foam which is used to insulate houses, the off cut’s are ideal to make models. (Please excuse my untidy workspace).
Picture shows a couple of blocks of foam which I will glue together.
I almost always use PVA glue which I find very good & cheap.
Model train tunnels:
Once dried I pick up my sharp kitchen knife and trim the foam.
Having obtained a readymade resin portal for the model train tunnels used on this project, I marked out on the foam the tunnel and carefully began to carve the foam.
On many occasions I do not use a portal but carve my own into the foam, this model I decided to paint a resin postal to use.
The roof of the model train tunnels are shaped by using a desert spoon.
Once dry, I paint the rocks with a very watery black into the cracks.
Then I use a light emulsion on an almost dry brush to bring out the highlights on the model train tunnels. The portal can be then glued onto the foam by using a strong contact adhesive bought from the Poundland shop in the town centre. The model is now ready to Start applying the landscaping. This is a matter of taste and I vary my models by the use of a variety of types of grasses & bushes.
Most of my materials are Woodland Scenics, Although I do sometimes use other makes. On this model I have chosen to first apply an olive coloured grass onto the rock embankment.
Then I applied a summer ‘Static grass’ by the use of an electric applicator.
With short static grass, the static effect of making the grass stand up is not very effective. But when I use 4.5mm & 6mm grass the effect is very lifelike.
The next job is to apply a variety of bushes onto the odel train tunnels, again by PVA glue.
All that is left to do then is to give the model a spray of watered down PVA glue (always remember to run some clear water through the spray when you have finished).
It can set in the nozzle & ruin the spray for future use). I then sprinkled some Woodland scenics coarse turf onto the summer static grass and a little on the rocks.
I usually add a row of various bushes along the back edge of the model train tunnels.
That is how I make my models, I hope that it gives you some ideas? Whilst this is drying – Here’s one I made earlier where I carved the portal myself.
Martin”
Incredible work and stunning detail – thanks so much for Martin for sharing his model train tunnels ‘how to’.
There are lots of tunnel step-by-steps on the site, here are some more:
Building model railroad tunnels.
Model railroad tunnel building.
HO scale tunnel.
Model railroad tunnel entrance
Model railroad tunnel.
HO scale tunnels.
That’s all for today folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you get started on your model trains tunnels on your very own layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.
