05-07-01
While working on the Pool Expansion, Fred came up with a
great idea. Instead of going around my wife's flower bed, lets just go
under it! Light bulbs began appearing above our heads as the ideas
flowed. After final approval from the care taker, we were off.
In the first picture you can see were the track on the other side of the
flower bed is coming straight at the camera. This is where we had to
tunnel under the raised flower beds. With excavation started, you can
see how the layout will shoot right under the beds.
So we shot the grade using a transit, needing a slight incline to get to
the Pool Expansion side of the flower beds. Then we dumped in sand and
placed 2" x 8" x 16" patio stones down for the road bed.
We lined up cinder blocks along both sides of the road bed and capped them off
with 2 additional patio stones. This gave us additional height in the
tunnel. Then I finely capped the whole thing off with 16" x
16" patio stones. Then I caulked all the edges with silicone to try
and hold back any water and dirt that might wash in.
Lastly I cut a piece of pool liner from the old pool and folded it around
the edges as an extra measure to hold back water and dirt that might run
in. Covered it all with dirt and I'm ready for the track. (Which
is still on Back Order.) The tunnel is about 5 foot long and I think it
will be a great feature on the layout.
It was a little bit of a project but it turned out nice. Can't wait
to see the Live Steam running through there! Check back for pictures
when the tunnel is open.
Time to boil some water!
John F
