Modular Tunnel

[Feuer Zug]

I'd built a tunnel segment many years ago. It was a small setup that fit onto a single 32x32 baseplate. As my layout expanded, the tunnel looked small, and out of place. I started expanding it, and then the project snowballed. As my layout is never the same between shows, and the hassle of trying to transport it became evident, I had to think about its future. Thusly, I made it into a modular design. Most tunnel segments are on a 32x32 baseplate with an 8x32 baseplate extension on the front. One segment is built on 16-wide to allow for optimization of space depending on the layout and how much room I'm allowed.

Here is the full tunnel with all segments I have built. With the exceptions of the ends (and the 16-wide segment, more below), they can be placed in any order.

The cabin portal. Two tracks with 8 studs between them. Supports are designed for a 10-wide opening. It is 13 bricks high from the top of the rail to the start of the arches.

As seen here, the Disney locomotive fits (barely) width wise, while an intermodal double stack well car makes it through as well height wise.

Side view of the cabin portal segment.

The 16-wide spacer segment. This one is designed to be butted against the cabin for the woodpile, but could go elsewhere if required. The woodpile can quickly be removed and a tree or other foliage added.

The mountain segment.

Side view of the mountain segment. The hiking path tunnel goes completely through as well, with a one stud offset. Additionally, you can see the support structure. Note the technic bricks spanning the top and the two down at the bottom. These features are included in all of the segments. That allows me to insert technic pins to the bottom bricks, and anywhere along the top to provide a firm connection between segments. I also put a few plates on the top to hold them together too. As you can see, there is a back plate to all the segments, making them more visually acceptable at shows.

The waterfall segment.

The expanded waterfall segment. Note the wind turbine on the rocks. Three tunnel segments have points for these. I've only built a pair of turbines though. The 16x32 baseplate at the base of the waterfall expands the scene to show the base. With the removal of a plate, it has an outlet for the river as well.

The castle segment. Not visible is the draw bridge leading up to the front entrance and a hidden side exit through the rocks on the right side. In winter, this becomes a double black diamond ski slope. It also has a wind turbine support area.

The forest portal segment. It is the final segment with a wind turbine option.

The forest portal opening.

There you have it, the modular tunnel and all segments I've currently constructed. Did you find the ruby eyed face?

 

[Murdoch17]

Nice work! Good and long tunnels are always fun to add to layouts... modular ones are even better!

...and yes, I spotted the ruby-eyed face! (I had to really look for it and go back through a second time to do it)

[Feuer Zug]

On 1/23/2023 at 10:15 AM, Murdoch17 said:

Nice work! Good and long tunnels are always fun to add to layouts... modular ones are even better!

...and yes, I spotted the ruby-eyed face! (I had to really look for it and go back through a second time to do it)

Thanks. This tunnel was setup to be as short or long as required. The ruby eyed face is one of those fun things I added to give kids something to look for.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Amazing work ...I love tunnels and I miss them in my layout 

[Maple]

I L-O-V-E it! 

It's so colorful. So many caves are just greys, yours is colors, but not off putting. Love the mix of the cabin and the caste. Great mix.

[Darkkostas25]

Gorgeous and sweet. Very lovely and cosy-looking tunnel and environment(landscape)

 

[Feuer Zug]

On 1/26/2023 at 2:09 AM, LEGO Train 12 Volts said:

Amazing work ...I love tunnels and I miss them in my layout 

Grazi. I do enjoy the variety it brings to my layout.

On 1/26/2023 at 3:05 AM, Maple said:

I L-O-V-E it! 

It's so colorful. So many caves are just greys, yours is colors, but not off putting. Love the mix of the cabin and the caste. Great mix.

Thanks. I've seen so many monochromatic tunnels, often made of LURPS and BURPS, I wanted a mix. I still use the prefab pieces, but cover them where I can. The cabin is an older creator set I placed directly on the tunnel, while the castle is there to provide another visual.

4 hours ago, Darkkostas25 said:

Gorgeous and sweet. Very lovely and cosy-looking tunnel and environment(landscape)

 

Thank you. The tunnel looks cosy from the ends, but as seen, is fairly open inside.

[Killian]

I still have that Creator 3 in 1 Cabin

[Feuer Zug]

18 hours ago, Killian said:

I still have that Creator 3 in 1 Cabin

It's about perfect for a rustic cabin. I thought it would be a great addition to the scenery.

[Toastie]

That is a wonderful idea - making tunnels modular - but more so are these really nicely assembled tunnel scenes!

I mean, a tunnel is a hole in rock or ground. What really makes them so nice on displays is: Train disappears. All of a sudden, all the attention is: where did it go? It was through that hole ... and then the eyes are trying to "follow" the train's pathway - and realize: What a wonderful scenery! So many things to discover! Look here - and then here - everything so exciting. And with your absolutely gorgeous modular tunnels - I'd lost interest in where the train reappears. It'll resurface, for sure. So let us further what is >on< the tunnels ...

Really, really great, what you have achieved! I love it. Thank you very much for sharing!

All the best,
Thorsten   

[Mirror1810]

Very cool. Its so colourful and detailed, you don't know where to look first. Truly impressive. Also, I feel like I've seen that waterfall before somewhere. Can't quite put my finger on it 

[Feuer Zug]

On 1/28/2023 at 4:12 PM, Toastie said:

That is a wonderful idea - making tunnels modular - but more so are these really nicely assembled tunnel scenes!

I mean, a tunnel is a hole in rock or ground. What really makes them so nice on displays is: Train disappears. All of a sudden, all the attention is: where did it go? It was through that hole ... and then the eyes are trying to "follow" the train's pathway - and realize: What a wonderful scenery! So many things to discover! Look here - and then here - everything so exciting. And with your absolutely gorgeous modular tunnels - I'd lost interest in where the train reappears. It'll resurface, for sure. So let us further what is >on< the tunnels ...

Really, really great, what you have achieved! I love it. Thank you very much for sharing!

All the best,
Thorsten   

I think you are right about tunnels. That is part of the magic. Or looking through it when a locomotive with a headlamp rolls in. I do enjoy having fun with the scenery. At shows, we often put Easter eggs around to get the audience to take a closer look.

On 1/28/2023 at 4:26 PM, Mirror1810 said:

Very cool. Its so colourful and detailed, you don't know where to look first. Truly impressive. Also, I feel like I've seen that waterfall before somewhere. Can't quite put my finger on it 

Danke. You have seen the waterfall before. I was still working on all the modules, but felt I could use two for the scene in GBW.

[Paperinik77pk]

Really, really nice!!! I love the protruding stone in the waterfall and the snowy mountain!!! 

Good work!!! 

Davide

[Feuer Zug]

3 hours ago, Paperinik77pk said:

Really, really nice!!! I love the protruding stone in the waterfall and the snowy mountain!!! 

Good work!!! 

Davide

Grazi. The stone was added in the waterfall to give it contrast. Otherwise, it would have been a solid sheet of tiles with nothing to make it interesting.