low profile tunnel portal. 3-d print? Other?

If you like to DIY it then learn some 3D modeling and draw exactly what you want. I recall seeing some tunnels on Thingiverse.

https://www.zyxcreative.com makes some tunnel portals and liners and will upscale them, I have no idea what one would cost in O.

Alternatively, carve yourself a mold and cast one out of resin or plaster.

You want thin, not low, correct?

Take  pink or blue foam and carve your own. Or cut from wood and cut in your lines.

Thanks guys!  Great ideas!

If you have a picture I might be able to 3D engrave it into a wood-like flat 1/8 inch thick materials.

But I'd need a good B&W picture of the portal,  like a .jpg  Depending on the photo shading the blacker parts would be deeper engraved than the whiter parts.

Also specify the dimensions. 

@AlanRail posted:

If you have a picture I might be able to 3D engrave it into a wood-like flat 1/8 inch thick materials.

But I'd need a good B&W picture of the portal,  like a .jpg  Depending on the photo shading the blacker parts would be deeper engraved than the whiter parts.

Also specify the dimensions.

Thanks Alan!  I will let you know if I cannot figure something out.

I second Don’s suggestion of pink or blue foam. Here is a portal I did from foam.

That looks very nice!  I have some foam, so that may be an option.

Tell that worker to stop laying down on the job! 

You can buy tile at Home Depot or Lowes and make your own.

Scott Smith

Great idea!

Hi TrainManMike,

Since you said you like to DIY, go to the Clever Models website.

  www.clevermodels.net

They offer some outstanding paper models.  Plus, they offer free samples that periodically change.  As a freebie, they recently, posted a single tunnel portal that uses thin foamboard as the backing material.  You could easily modify their design to make it fit your layout.  I've purchased some of their models and I think they look great.

John

Honestly I am trying to figure out why you would need something that thin. Is this a fake tunnel facing a track and you need clearance? Would you wall it up, because even if you paint the interior black it will reflect some light and be obvious. Or maybe it's a working tunnel and there is something in the way? I don't know if a tunnel portal that thin will ever look convincing.

But that said, what about ripping down a plastic tunnel portal on the table saw, or carefully with a hand saw? Or use thin foam and build it up block by block right on the drywall as others have suggested.

LOL, Mike! Good eye, I hadn’t even noticed. Back on duty now.

@Ross posted:

LOL, Mike! Good eye, I hadn’t even noticed. Back on duty now.

Ha ha!!

@CA John posted:

Hi TrainManMike,

Since you said you like to DIY, go to the Clever Models website.

  www.clevermodels.net

They offer some outstanding paper models.  Plus, they offer free samples that periodically change.  As a freebie, they recently, posted a single tunnel portal that uses thin foamboard as the backing material.  You could easily modify their design to make it fit your layout.  I've purchased some of their models and I think they look great.

John

Thanks!  I will check them out.

@Will posted:

Honestly I am trying to figure out why you would need something that thin. Is this a fake tunnel facing a track and you need clearance? Would you wall it up, because even if you paint the interior black it will reflect some light and be obvious. Or maybe it's a working tunnel and there is something in the way? I don't know if a tunnel portal that thin will ever look convincing.

But that said, what about ripping down a plastic tunnel portal on the table saw, or carefully with a hand saw? Or use thin foam and build it up block by block right on the drywall as others have suggested.

I have holes cut in the drywall and no real mountain built, so I want something flush against the drywall.  I also have a curve going into the drywall with not much room on either side.

I also thought about using an HO or N portal 3-d print design and enlarging it as suggested early on in this thread.

Do you have a photo of your set up there?

I'm not seeing why you couldn't use a regular tunnel portal on these, Mike? In fact I would push the portals further from the wall so I could add some rocks around it. The only one I see an issue with is the first, and you could cut the opening a bit more to the left and angle the portal.

If you are determined to have a low profile, put the portal on the drywall, trace around it, and then carefully cut out the drywall. Then you can imbed it as deep as you want. Just put some caulk on the edge of the opening and push the portal in to as close to flush as you want.

Ya, maybe I will just do that.

@TrainManMike posted:

Ya, maybe I will just do that.

Yeah, I think you are overthinking it. Get one portal and play around with it, trying the different openings and see what you like.  Tape it up and run some trains through it. Then you will figure out how you will do them all. There are a lot of ways to skin this cat.

i have several holes in walls running track from one room to another.  the standard plastic portals work fine.

@TrainManMike posted:

Hi guys,

I have some Lionel PW tunnel portals, but they won't work for my layout.  I need something low profile that can go right up against the drywall.

Do you have any suggestions?  Color print out pasted on cardboard?  Any 3-d printable files out there?  I found one, but it is not what I am looking for.  An 1/8" - 1/4" thick 3-d printed brick portal would be perfect.  Low profile, but still get the texture.

Obviously I can buy them, but I like to diy stuff when I can.

Any help/suggestions appreciated!

What's wrong with Scenic Express tunnel portholes?

What about korber tunnel portholes?

How thin do you need them?