Tunnel access

Dashdriver

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Dec 26, 2006
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Do any of you guys have a solution for access to derailed trains inside a long tunnel? I am planning on having a long tunnel through a mountain that is separating two work benches. The plan is to have a hinged access panel that will lock in place but if a derailment happens inside the tunnel I can unlatch the panel, flip it down and access the train. Anyone have any experienc ewith this design?
 

Ralph

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Jun 18, 2002
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I've seen such an arrangement at a club layout. As long as you've located a long enough access hatch or more than one it should work well. I guess I'd want to make the track inside as "bullet proof" as possible and may be wire additional power leads just in case.

Ralph
 

berraf

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Oct 29, 2006
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A hatch big enough are absolutely necessary and "bullet proof" track laying also but I wonder: How about those handy things called derailers, do they work?
I never seen a derailer at anything else but a newbie layout but perhaps it´s time for me to use those things for instance in a long tunnel?!? :rolleyes:
 

hiscopilot

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Dec 27, 2006
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I kind of figured maybe just some sort of retrieval device- like a long stick with a padded hook of some sort to snag a part of the train an pull it to me. But I was also going to test and retest and troubleshoot that part of the track as much as possible so that would be the least likely spot to experience such a thing.
 
I think what you mean is a re-railer, and I think it's an excellent idea to put one
inside a tunnel. A derail does what it says and is typically used as a safety device
to prevent unwanted entry to a thru track from a siding.

If you can access the tunnel from beneath through an access hole then you don't
need the hinged panel.
 

Jim Krause

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Apr 7, 2005
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We have a long tunnel on our club layout. The guy that built it put a scenicked removable panel on the outer edge. Held on with velcro.
 

Dashdriver

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I think a length of re-railer track and an access panel should do the trick. Thanks guys!!! :thumb:
 

wdsrwg

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Jan 29, 2006
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If you have access to the back of your tunnel you can have a opening running
along the tunnel section, I have seen this at various shows and home layouts.
As long as it is hidden who's to know. If you are against the wll then the
velcrow is a great idea.
:thumb:
As far as RE-Railers, I could be considered a newbie in the modern era
but I have several incorporated in the switching yards and they make for
excellent road crossings. Tacky? Maybe but they do the job and look good
when done right.
That's the beauty of this hobby. No ones always wrong and everyone is
right most of the time!
:D

Russell
 

berraf

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Oct 29, 2006
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wdsrwg said:
As far as RE-Railers, I could be considered a newbie in the modern era
but I have several incorporated in the switching yards and they make for
excellent road crossings. Tacky? Maybe but they do the job and look good
when done right.
That's the beauty of this hobby. No ones always wrong and everyone is
right most of the time!
:D

Russell
Could you please give us a picture of how you use them? Please!
I´m really interested in taking care of the advantages they could offer :)