I am incorporating a corner tunnel with a loop of o gauge and standard gauge track. The ogauge portals are plentiful. I like the ones by scenic express and woodland. However, not much out there for standard gauge. I have looked at g scale and they just seem too big.
Although the handmade ones out of wood are nice, I prefer the ones that either look like concrete, stone, or rock.
Any ideas?
Joe Gozzo
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Hi Joe,
You might consider buying one for G scale. Then using pink or blue construction insulation, cut scaled size blocks. Line the tunnel Portal openings allowing enough clearance for your equipment ( You may need to cut the openings a bit larger to fit the block in the opening) Stick the blocks together with tooth picks and work with them until your satisfied with how they look stacked. ( That's why I recommend toothpicks) Then paint with a stone colored latex paint. Add some Woodland scenic s material so they don't look Sterile and you should be good.
Rich Yoder
You can make your own custom portals from pink foam. Labor intensive but not difficult. Here's a picture of one I made.
I don't see JSP's photo, but here's a few that I posted in another thread recently.
Sorry. For some reason I can't upload any photos.
Lehigh74 posted:I don't see JSP's photo, but here's a few that I posted in another thread recently.
Wow Bob! Do you hire out?😁
So, you used 1" foam? What did you notch/ carve the stone with? This is awesome!
Joe Gozzo
Joe,
I did a tutorial a few years back (on another forum) about making masonry with rigid foam. I reposted it here.
A few more portals.
A wooden one (even though it’s not your preference). I used Micro-Mark Age it Easy to weather the wood.
And one made with wood to look like concrete. I used 1/8” luan for the accents and the keystone.
An O-scale double portal may work. Here, I added the center divider from scrap foam.
You can also cut a too large one in half and remove foam material from the center and glue back together or cut a too small one in half and add foam material to the center. You should be able to cut the foam and sculpt to match up. 
I used G scale tunnel portals for standard gauge. I like the Aristo Craft 7401 tunnel portal. It's a little big, but standard gauge trains are not to scale. The height is about the same as the 440 signal bridge, so it's not too tall. Also, if you ever want to run any of the really big standard gauge engines, you'll be glad you have the extra height.
George
My tunnel portals I use Celotex.
Steve
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
