Portals:There were more than 1,500 railway tunnels built in the United States. Most portals acted as retaining walls to keep the tunnel open and to minimize falling debris onto the track. Many portals were natural rock or timber. Some early portals – including the Moffat & Hoosac– were initially built with large wooden doors. Doors are a great idea for garden railroads. They create a barrier to possums, rabbits, raccoons and other critters that seek habitat in your tunnel. In garden layouts, the "stone portal"makes an ideal "gateway" from train shed, basement window or garage onto the layout.

TIPS: There are many methods to create lasting portals and bridges/viaducts using real stone.
    • The first is casting with Quikrete Vinyl Patcher Cement (see book below)
    • The second is gluing. When using steel as a substrate, Dennis R. modeler recommends clear LEXEL – a Sashro Product. www.sashco.com
When using plastic as a substrate, Bob P. modeler recommends an epoxy Araldite 2015 (specs: www.araldite2000plus.com; availibility and info write bcatmell@krayden.co
    Some "Cautions": When gluing or casting (Quikrete Vinyl Patcher Technique) with "Jig Stones" or faux stone, your Jig Stones MUST be sealed with a preserative like Thompson's Water Seal. Why? Jig Stones uses a fast set up "cement" that contains gypsum. Structures like portals, bridges and mills are left out in the weather on your layout. "Stone" created using gypsum will deteriorate and fall apart unless adequately sealed. See their website for additional specifics.
    When selecting a rigid substrate, we suggest caution when considering insulating styrene (foam board) if you have deer or squirrels. Both deer and squirrels like to nibble on it. When selecting "cement board" as a rigid substrate, test a sample by submerging it in water for a week. Many "cement boards" (used in interior subflooring as an underlayment for ceramic tile) contain gypsum in its cement. This will deteriorate unless sealed.
   
      
For larger click link:  Quarry:#61MN,    Quarry:#19NY,     Joe B.,PA     Quarry:#60CT,         Drainpipe Mine

More Pictures: Click on link Stone Model Gallery - RR models and Building Structures     

#	Product	Description	Cost	Photo
#7012	How-To: "Cut Stone Portals"	Shows prototype portals, styles, construction methods, pre-cut stone shapes, includes storyboard instructions, and plans. 20 photos & 3 drawings, 4 pgs		$2.25
#7051	How to Model in Stone & Cement Click Stone&Cement for more detail	Includes step-by-step plans for modeling the cut stone portal. Also included are both stone and concrete portal designs to model in the Quikrete® Vinyl Patcher Concrete Technique		$19.95
#7603	MODELING VIEWS: Hoosac Tunnel - West Adams, MA	A classic cut stone tunnel portal with column abutments and side retaining walls. Arch stones are cut in the unique Eastern style.		$ 5.95

Bridges & Viaducts : Stone & Concrete in the Vinyl Patcher Technique create an all-weather finished model well suited for all exterior conditions: ponds, streams, heat, UV, freezing, wind, and high moisture. "Gluing" or "veneering" stone is ideal over existing structures of concrete, exterior wood or steel. Gluing requires substantially more time.

#	Product	Description		Price
#7014	How To Build A Stone Arch Bridge	Shows pre-cut stone shapes, construction methods, storyboard instructions & plans. 76 photos & 7 drawings, 12 pages. ( See Reviews)		$4.95
#7016	How to Build Curved Bridges & Viaducts (Understanding of Quikrete Vinyl Patcher Technique as shown in #7051 and bridge building techniques as shown in #7014 is helpful.)	Development of patterns and formwork to creat curve. Does not use formula work - all measurements are made on paper with curved track, ruler, pencil and string. 40 photos, 8 pgs.		$4.00
#7015	How to Build Stone Bridge Abutments	Shows prototype abutment styles, how to measure, & construction method using simple cardboard forms, storyboard instructions. 23 photos, 4 pgs		$2.25
#7607	MODELING VIEWS: Rockville Bridge- Maryville,PA	This is the longest stone masonry arch railroad bridge (4 tracks) in the world – 48 arches, 3,820' long. It's ideal for across ponds and streams. Shown are classic abutments and cutwaters.		$ 5.95
#7610	MODELING VIEWS: Fisher Bridge, VT (St. Johnsbury & Lamoiller County RR)	A truly American wooden covered RR bridge. It has a full-length copula smoke vent. We were lucky enough to be there when they were refurbishing it – showing the understructure of the Town-Pratt construction.		$ 5.95