elevation

Hi Roy, I'm not sure I have a clear picture in my mind of the project and area you are describing and asking about, but I can offer you one bit of solid advice which has proven to be tried-and-true for me when crafting any layout:

Do not put the entrance of the tunnel on a curve.

That is, have the trains enter the tunnel on a straight track, not at a curve. You can see that any curved track is outside the tunnel entrances, not at or inside the portals, here on part of my layout…That way, you avoid the certain trouble of having trains, especially the larger, scale steam locomotives and/or some passenger cars, hit or scrape the portal and derail inside the tunnel, creating its own sort of particular problems.

FrankM

That"s good advice, you'd need a wider than normal portal to do it if you are locked in the curve 100%.  A way out might be a short straight beginning about 2" from the portal edges and curving again once in there. When checking clearence, don't be limited to checking the pilot only. Cab roofs kick out too. Diesel railings, steps, etc. as well. 

Keep the grade low. ¼" per ft is pretty steep (¼”per9" is about PW Lionel tressels, very steep. You may want to play with an incline & some engines to see what they can actually manage; it varies a lot.

Watch your transition from level is gradual or you will bottom out cow catchers on the center rail and have couplers separate or tight couplings bind as the lead car's truck tilts as it rises while a trailing car is still level.

I use power blocks for conventional to keep from having to babysit the throttle if I choose. They used to be set up for a bi-dirrection voltage drop or increase on the grades, then I broke the line into 4 blocks and 4 throttles.

Frank:

I know this is off topic but WOW - how about some more photos of your layout? Maybe your own post on the scenery forum?

Joe

thanks moonson i was going to have entrancew on a curve i wont now thanks

You can place a tunnel entrance on a curve but run several of your largest cars and locomotives through the portal to make sure clearance is sufficient on both the inside and outside of the curve. The curve in this picture is Atlas O-54 with a Woodland Scenics portal. The width of the portal opening is 5 inches. My O-54 locomotives, 18-inch passenger cars, and some 21-inch passenger cars run through this portal. The 21-inch passenger cars clear the portal by 1/8-inch on each side.

MELGAR

Model Structures posted:

Frank:

I know this is off topic but WOW - how about some more photos of your layout? Maybe your own post on the scenery forum?

Joe

So very nice of you to say that, Joe.

For more views of my layout, may I refer you to these OGR Runs: 163; 168; 221; 224, and 285. They will provide a chronological view of the growth and change present on my layout, including broad and detailed overviews and close-ups.

Thanks again for the applause of your very, very kind words, as well as the outreach.

FrankM, Moon Township, USA

Hi Frank! I am heading back up your way soon. Staying in Greentree for the Nov.10th Virginia Tech vs. Pitt game.  I love your layout and detail. 

-Eric