Into the tunnel

[Andrew Cockburn]

INTO THE TUNNEL

 

So having completed my most recent cakebox challenge project, “Down the old shed”, and having a had a brief break/breather from “all things cakebox”, I’ve had a bit of a think about what I wanted to do for my fifth and final cakebox challenge offering. The result is simply entitled “into the tunnel”, which I suppose in effect combines elements of previous cakebox models of mine, ie "Cutting the cake" and "In the dock".

 

However, this is intended as a slightly simpler offering than some of my previous cakebox ventures, and is based on the entrance to Sunderland South Tunnel, through which the South-bound line from Sunderland Central Station passes, on which trains travel to such local destinations as Seaham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, and also more distant venues i.e. Kings Cross (Grand Central). A rough plan and sketch are shown below of how the model will (hopefully) pan out, and as well as the tunnel entrance, part of a small loading dock will also be included, for this was an actual feature in real life, although it ceased to be used quite a few years back.

 

Unfortunately, I myself do not have any photos to hand of the real-life location, however, I am aware that a model based on the same location was featured on RMweb a few years back, this was entitled “Sunderland South Stabling Point”. And the article on this layout featured one or two photo’s of the real-life tunnel etc., and be found can be found via the following link:

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/89192-sunderland-south-stabling-point-1985-95-00/

 

I’ve recently obtained some of the features I’ll need for the project i.e. Peco tunnel mouth & van body (see photo below) from Cheltenham Model Centre, and I hope to start work this week sometime. Watch this space then for future developments ….

Edited April 23, 2018 by Andrew Cockburn

[009 micro modeller]

Looks interesting, particularly the way that the diverging line on one side goes to one side of the hill.

[Andrew Cockburn]

@ 009 micro modeller

 

Thanks for the comment/feedback, and re the line to the right, on the real-life location this was actually a siding, which came to a halt a little further up. However, due to the constraints of the model, ie that it's base has to be no bigger than 8" x 8", I'm only able to model part of the siding, for if I were to model the siding in it's entirety, it would be at the expense of other features, ie the tunnel itself. Therefore a bit of compromise has been necessary, but still, I feel it will be an interesting model once completed.

[Guest Bishoptrains]

Hi Andrew this looks and sounds like an interesting challenge look forward to more..

[APOLLO]

Don't forget to add a tiny light (or small hole in the black back tunnel wall) to signify "the light at the end of the tunnel"

 

Brit15

[Andrew Cockburn]

@ APOLLO

 

That's a good suggestion, however, the real tunnel on which this model is based, actually starts off at an angle (to the left), but then curves round to the right after a short distance, therefore looking at it from this particular entrance, you wouldn't be able to see any light coming in via the other entrance.

 

However, I guess I employ a bit of modellers license here, and pretend that the track actually runs in a straight line through the tunnel, and thus have some light showing at the "other end".

Edited April 23, 2018 by Andrew Cockburn

[009 micro modeller]

You could have a sawn off coach or loco to represent a train emerging from the tunnel.

[Andrew Cockburn]

@ 009 micro modeller

 

That's a good suggestion, and as a matter of fact, I have an old, redundant Farish dummy DMU power car which could be ideal, "poking it's nose" out of the tunnel mouth.

Edited April 23, 2018 by Andrew Cockburn

[Guest Bishoptrains]

Hi Andrew that sounds good having a dmu sticking it's nose out of the tunnel will be watching with interest..

[009 micro modeller]

I have a sawn off Triang class 101 trailer (it was knackered anyway) but this is going to be used for something slightly sillier...

[Andrew Cockburn]

@ 009 micro modeller

 

The actual powered DMU car which went with the "dummy" packed up a few years back, though I kept both cars, for I reckoned they may just have a use as static exhibits one day (it was a similar tale with the shunter on "Down the old shed").

 

So what exactly are you going to use the 101 for, or is this a secret for the moment?

[009 micro modeller]

It's going to move but not have the whole coach length and will make more sense when actually built. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Into the Tunnel.

[Andrew Cockburn]

@ 009 micro modeller

 

I look forward to seeing how your rather interesting concept works out, while I hope to start work on "Into the tunnel" this week sometime. So watch this space for further developments!

[TT3]

How about a half bricked in engine - sodor style

[Andrew Cockburn]

Right, here we go then with another update. I’ve managed to complete a reasonable amount of work on “Into the tunnel”, and below are the first pics, which show progress made to date. First of all, the base was “primed” by giving it a coat of matt black paint (not Humbrol I hasten to add, but the general “household” type, while the tracks have also been laid. I’ve also put in place some scenic substructures, ie for what will eventually be (part) of a road/an embankment, the loading dock, while the model’s main feature, ie the tunnel, has also started to take shape. The piece of white card at the rear will eventually help form a small backscene.

 

So the next immediate tasks will be to paint the tunnel appropraite “murky” colours, which would be typical of such a feature, some more scenic work, followed by one of my least favourite railway modellings tasks (but one which has to be done nevertheless), ie ballasting the track. Another update then in due course.

Edited April 30, 2018 by Andrew Cockburn

[Guest ShildonShunter]

Nice progress Andrew it's starting to take shape nicely will look forward to your next update.

[Andrew Cockburn]

Its been a while since I’ve last submitted an update, but in that time I’ve still managed to complete a fair bit of work on “Into the tunnel”, even though my garage/workshop has been a bit “ovenlike” due to the rather sweltering recent weather here in NE England. The tunnel mouth and retaining walls were given a “base” coat of Humbrol matt black paint, then when this was dry, the uniform appearance was broken up by the addition of some weathering i.e. moss and just general “wear and tear”. Also some graffiti was added, but as the graffiti transfers I had to hand wouldn’t show up well on a black background, I had to improvise my own using Humbrol matt white paint, I dare say I may add some more in due course. The parts were then glued into place, these can be seen in the picture below.

 

The picture also shows the loading dock taking shape, the base was formed from fine sandpaper to represent tarmac, while the sides have been covered in stone paper. Still a bit more work to be accomplished then, the next immediate tasks are track ballasting (if the current weather conditions keep up, then the drying time shouldn’t be too long), while I’m also going to be looking to try and come up with a suitable backscene for the model. Another update then in due course.

[Guest ShildonShunter]

Hi Andrew this is coming along nicely and I like the graffiti on the tunnel wall. Can't wait to see more.

[Andrew Cockburn]

Work continues to progress steadily, and the track ballasting has now been completed. As I may have said before, this is my least favourite railway modelling task, but thankfully, and in no small part due to the rather extreme temperatures we‘ve had of late, certainly in my neck of the woods in NE England, it dried pretty quickly, thus enabling me to to carry out another slightly ardous task, that of painting & weathering the rails/sleepers/ballast. The loading dock has also received a coat of paint to represent tarmac, I intend to do some more modelling over the course of the weekend, and its my estimation that the model should be completed after a further week or so of work.

Edited May 11, 2018 by Andrew Cockburn

[Guest ShildonShunter]

Hi Andrew nice work on the ballasting and weathering looking forward to seeing the finished Cakebox.

[009 micro modeller]

Looking good so far and an interesting view of the tunnel

[Andrew Cockburn]

I’ve glued the backscene sheet in place, however, instead of using using part of one of the commercially available products, I custom-made my own version to my own specific requirements. This is based on a scene in Sunderland, and was achieved using watercolours (asides from model railways, one of my other interests is watercolour painting, and as such I thought doing a backscene in watercolour medium would be good practice/a good exercise, and I have to say that I’m quite happy with the result). A low-relief brick wall from Metcalfe brick sheet was then added over the backscene.

 

I also put a roof over the tunnel, this was formed from card, black on the underside to help add to the dark effect inside the tunnel, while the top was covered in fine sandpaper, to represent a tarmac surface for a section of road (this can be seen marked out roughly in pencil). Cardboard formers for slopes/embankments have also been glued in place, and the next task will be to fix in place pieces of crumpled-up newspaper to form the actual contours. A slightly messy job, but if done right helps add to the overall effect, another update then shortly.

Edited May 13, 2018 by Andrew Cockburn

[Guest ShildonShunter]

Hi Andrew I really like your backscene and your use of sandpaper for the tarmac roads which is something I will be trying in the future.

[Andrew Cockburn]

The basic embankment structures have now been completed using crumpled-up/strips of newspaper, only instead of using wallpaper paste to fix this in place, I used UHU glue (this tends to go off quicker, though the one disadvantage is that it can be a bit messy/stringy). I then added some more ground cover/scatter material to the area near the tunnel mouth, before adding a coat of “earthy” coloured paint, while I also painted in the road section above the tunnel, using grey/black. As can be seen in the picture below the paint has yet to dry completely, when it does, I’ll move onto the next phase, namely the addition of scenic scatter material to represent grass, weeds etc.. I’m happy with the progress made to date, and feel that the model is starting to look the part. Still a bit more work to be done, but no real hurry, for I’m a firm believer in taking one’s time/getting things right/trying to always place an emphasis on quality. A further update then in due course.

Edited May 16, 2018 by Andrew Cockburn

[Guest ShildonShunter]

Hi Andrew your Cakebox is really taking shape now I like what you have done with the tunnel area and looking forward to see your scenery progress. Andrew i agree with taking one's time as like you i like to get things right first time.