November 5, 2005

We are having an incredibly beautiful fall. Our high of 70 degrees F was very conducive to working on the pike. Today's job was the tunnel portals for the curved tunnel.

I started by cutting cardboard mockups of the portals.

Then I made this form using the mockup as a pattern.

I added some narrow strips tacked to the base to add some decoration to the portal.

I used 1/2" welded wire for reinforcing.

As I prepared to mix the quick set concrete, I realized I had set up the form backwards. I had to pull all the screws and turn it all around before pouring. It took eleven cups of concrete to make this portal.

These inset angle irons will be used to attach the portal to the wooden cover on the tunnel.

It was mid-afternoon by the time I got this far. I left the portal to cure overnight. I learned my lesson with the first two portals I made to not get in a rush to take the portal out of the mold. I broke both of my first portals. I'd rather not break this one, too.

Next
Back
Back to Second layout index
To Mojave Desert and Southwest Mountains Railroad home