Model Railroad Update 53-Tunnels and Foam

In this update we show the progress of the new tunnel and how it was decided to do the wall liner. We are also continuing the foam/scenery work and the road has been plastered for a smooth base. Also shown is a "hand made" culvert for under the road at an intersection- a work in progress. We wrap up with some trains running and a very brief look at the new Walthers Mainline series SD70Ace locomotive.

[@JamesStJunction00]

When you look back at your first video then look at the shot on 23 mins you can really appreciate how far you have progressed and all that hard work has paid off. Greetings from the UK. Steve

[@disturbed1954]

Great video, layout is coming along very nicely. Thanks for sharing!

[@oceancity2006]

Looking good , thanks for your update. Regards Robert

[@JTKoffenberger]

Another great Update! Loving this series Stephen. Keep up the great work on the layout and the videography!!!

[@TheDougday]

You guys are doing a super job. Doug

[@elleryparsons5766]

Nice Layout I would Agree Little by Little That’s how I am Working on My Ho and N Scale Layouts.Never Rush it Work it Slowly Think it Out wa LaIt it will Work.

[@jasonellis4139]

Wow Stephen, the ideas and information you give is very informative... I've learned a lot from you. Thanks for the videos you have been providing.... And by the way the tunnels look awesome...

[@American1101]

Blend the two tunnel walls with more white chalk. Excellent job man!

[@williammosher9278]

nice update. It is coming along nicely Will

[@chumbo7945]

Great video mate layout is looking awesome cheers. Andrew

[@samhane11]

Unreal layout. Amazing layout.

[@bman4943]

Looking really nice keep up the great work

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Steady progress! Looking great.

[@d.e.s.mediaproduction290]

Great update, great progress on the layout.

[@themaconeau]

Perfection is an unending task. If it looks prototypical, its good enough ;)

[@derekalexander4030]

Just looking at #53 tunnels. U have already expressed an interest in cab video so don't just do the tunnel as far as u can see from the paint can. U can line the tunnel on both sides with whatever you choose and put the top (roof) attached to the removable top and u will have a completely lined tunnel with total access. Awesome layout. Thank you for sharing it. John.

[@simonscrimshaw9671]

Hi there, fantastic looking layout......wow it's huge. Just a small suggestion with the inside walls of the tunnel portholes. You could try painting the different surfaces in one block colour so that you can't see the join/contrast between the two material finishes. Maybe that could work. Once again , really nice layout mate !!

[@BaronvonBavert]

great work !!!!!

[@sparky107107]

very tan looking ,, maybe a wet wash of black paint ,, or grey could help darken it , once you get the top on the tunnel it will be to dark to see in to far ,, I bet ,, I nice size cattle farm would be a good addition on top of the tunnel ,, just my thoughts ,, I painted the sides of my foam dirt brown , just to hide it for now ,,, makes a big difference , thanks for sharing ,, you kept me watching for the whole video ,, nice job nice bonous watching the trains travel the layout

[@GooseinTheCabooseProductions]

you're foam is looking really good, keep up the great work!! I got my SD70ACE in a couple days ago, Norfolk Southern too. Nice loco with good sound. Though, it didn't come with a detail packet or grab irons and MU cables. But that's probably nitpicking.

[@RingoSimpkinsUK]

Good stuff, coming along nicely

[@DarkTerritory71]

Hey my friend. I want to say that ,AGAIN! Another great video! I like what you did with the tunnel. In Alabama,all of our tunnels,well,the 4 that I have been in.The roof is actually squared,not rounded on the inside top ceiling. A mile from where I live it the NS line from Birmingham to Sheffield,used to be owned by the Southern. They actually had rails running across the top,to help support the roof. Then another mile away on the old L&N line the tunnel is all concreted on the walls and top. I love that walthers Locomotive. Very nice! I noticed you said you didnt install the front coupler but I didnt hear you mention what type of sound was in it? Is that Tsunami? I like the way she sounds,very nice! Thanks again for the video!Look forward to seeing the next. Oh Yea. I have a channel,if ya get a chance to look,please do!

[@michaelreed8237]

I'm not far from you up in gadsden 45 minutes north of you

[@BALD8BIL]

everything is look good !!!

[@nfordf450]

Unless the tunnel is going into hard rock from nothing. Most tunnels have brick or masonry work just inside the portals till they get to stable rock. So the woodland scenics to hiki rock is actually quite prototypical.

[@SD70ACEguy]

Great update! I'm loving how everything is looking so far, could you do a layout tour?

[@carlossmith3316]

going back to the tunnel,make sure you fill the seams on foam,the camera will see everything,paint the rest of tunnel black

[@dbcooper1961]

Where did you get the backdrop images? Love the work you have done with all the tunnels and mountains.

[@alebear6733]

Hi Steve. The Ballast in the tunnel and under the bridge looks OK, but not great It looks to White for me. I would make it a darker grey. Almost as grey as the tunnel wall. Layout is really coming along great,.

[@ashevilletrainman6989]

Alebear a nice mix of grey and white would do well

[@conwayjunction386]

Great video, loving the look of the tunnel mouths and the way you plan to do the inside. What company makes the tunnel portals? Thanks, William

[@ozarksfarmerhansen8782]

I wouldnt worry about the rock the side walls looks like the last attempt I made at dry walling.

[@luckyguy4694]

Have you glued down the ballast yet? Some change color when you "wet" it to glue it down. Tunnel lining might not need to go that far once its dark in there. jeff

[@samiam619]

Jeff Dahlgren My thoughts too. Also, I would cut it horizontally b/c you can’t get low enough to see the roof.

[@Kevin-ev7hw]

Steve can you take weathering powders and washes to tone down your ballast?

[@samhane11]

I have cut years ago 2013 with woodland scenic cutters to detail my layout. I heard today from Railroad Academy video That man said cutting the hard professional foam like I did , and your thick pink foam board is caustic? Bad to breath? Have you or anybody heard this? I use any foam i could at the time get my hands on. Just now starting back up now im retired and a new Grandson. Just Curious

[@stewshore5508]

I am interested in how your pull out on the one tunnel is going to work....I am trying to have an area that I can remove for derails and track cleaning.

[@KU4PC]

Did u mix your ballast. with some n scale...

[@xavierhorace7213]

What kind of materials you used to design your tracks?

[@lamarfoster2778]

Thanks for the update. You inspired me to get back to work on mine a couple of weeks ago. I've made a little progress in the last two weeks. Check my channel for an early morning run through. I made pictures of the building process, so I need to put that together for youtube as well. The tunnels you did are looking good. The wood bridge makes for some great railfanning. Keep up the good work. Lamar

[@jonjon42112]

must video tape with fog steve

[@GRE2057]

no front coupler on the Walthers SD70ACe. did it not come with one?

[@THEBENNETTRAILROAD]

+GRE “Autopilot” 2057 It certainly does- we just didn't install it before we filmed the update.

[@GRE2057]

Stephen Bennett ah ok i thought about getting one but i decided to go with Athearn Genesis which you can find abunch of them on Ebay right now for Under $200.00 with sound in them

[@davidhefner5668]

Never done.

[@johnsullivan799]

Has anyone ever hear heard of papermache???!!! Why waste money on foam when newspaper and watered down glue works just as well...... I balled up some newspaper and then papermached strips to the balled up paper...

[@THEBENNETTRAILROAD]

I prefer using foam, but you can do whatever you please- it is a hobby. I feel I have better control and can form landscapes much better with foam. The foam is also a much better "base" for planting tress, shrubs, fences, pole lines, etc. Enjoy the hobby!

[@edwardberwind8544]

It would be really great if you actually showed how to build the foam tunnel instead of showing us your trains running.