Content Request: Short Mining Tunnel

[bigboy4010]

Would it be possible for someone to make a fixed-track object that is a simple mining tunnel, about fifty feet long (straight or curved, doesn't matter) and ends with an rock face that hasn't been dug out yet?

If anyone is interested, I'd like the tunnel to be able to fit a small, 36in gauge engine and two or three of Slugsmasher's "36 Coal Hopper BD" cars. And, if it's possible, could miners be added into the tunnel, maybe just pickaxers chopping away at the end rock face? Finally, last feature, the mine doesn't have to punch a hole in the ground, so the entrance can be narrow, just large enough to cover up one terrain square without the sides showing. That way I can use the 'Hole Punch' and then place the mine over and into the hole. Many thanks to anyone interested in this project.

If curious as to why I'd like this, it's for two railroads, my large one Fross and Canyon Cut, and a small, one baseboard map I've just started.

 

[cascaderailroad]

Search "Underground Mining":
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?p=411369#post411369
There is a tunnel there that was made for 09, but can be made to work in 06
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showpost.php?p=436011&postcount=76

 

[bigboy4010]

That's all 18in gauge stuff. 36in gauge orecars wouldn't fit in there. Thanks for the info though, as I was very interested in what I found. But I'm looking more for a an object..... that doesn't..... hmm.... I may try my hand at creating it. It doesn't have to be a fixed track object, so I may be able to do it. But, if anyone thinks they can do it better than a beginner, then please try your hand. Thanks Cascade for the info.

 

[Shortline2]

Hi,

A little bit of thinking from my side, so be aware.

The request was for a about 15 meter long (50 foot) fixed item with a dead end to be used with 36-inch gauge rail - right?

If this was a mine with that length, under work as mention with the miners working, I very much doubt that anybody would lay tracks and run any engine into such a small mine in any other gauge but the smaller ones that can handle a push car by a miner.
But, I am no expert, and how coal mining works I have hardly any clue at all.

I just imagine this from a point where I have to either dig this or pay people to do it for me - and until I get a big fat vein of pay ore I would not run big tracks in there at all.
In a long tunnel mine, where there is a steady output of ore, I would have no problem running wide gauge tracks and trains in to get my ore out as fast and cheapest as possible - but not in a small working mine that is "only" 15 meter long.

My toughs only, I look forward to possible learn more about mining after ore of types I normally don't care about, and how rails & trains has been/is being used to haul that off to a marked.

I'm not going to volunteer for this model though, as while I almost has the needed mesh for it (by scaling up a 18" cave mesh and the tunnel mesh), I have no need and real interest into such a model as it seems unreal to me as per above.

It shouldn't be hard to make such a model though, you need a mesh looking from the inside out (I normally start out with a cylinder and just remove the outer part of it and then bash around the vertexes for the inside until I get the look I want), two attachment points for a railspline and a config either working as a kind fixed track (as it is a tunnel mesh, I doubt that is a good kind) or a kind buildable.
If you want to add production to it, set it up as kind industry.

Best of luck

Linda

 

[bigboy4010]

You hit the nail on the head, Shortline. This idea is by no means prototypical, and it is a big waste of money to lay track into a new mine, at least with a gauge that big. And it's especially costly to have an engine. But here's the catch about this little single baseboard map: it's based off of a dream. About a week ago now I had a dream of riding around this little loop in a mine cart. On the loop was a spur to a mine which the train went inside a short ways. This is merely a railroad for fun, not prototypicality.

 

[Shortline2]

Hi bigboy4010,

Thank you for your reply - I can understand your request and idea better now, and from a fun point of view I can understand it.

Would this be for TRS2004, 2006 or TS2009?

Just curious, as I'm thinking on how to best setup such a model in terms of track uses, the end part and the portal part.

The cars you talk about, are they TRS2006 default cars or?

Yes, I'm not that familiar with whats out there...

I can't help at all with the miners though, I know lilb was working on something along that but I don't know how it has gone as I ahven't spoken with him in ages.
My fault though, as I don't keep up contact with people.

No promises given still, but you have my attention at least.

Again, thanks for the info given - perspective and reasons are always useful.

Best wishes

Linda

 

[bigboy4010]

I only have 2006 so unless the route's build number can be changed, I think it'll be 2006 up and only. As for the cars, I think they are 2004.

My brother, Michcal2, is going to draw up the mine as how I've described it. I'll upload it when its done, and hopefully I (and you if you decide to) can use it as reference to create it.

As for the track in the mine, it may be useful to just make it where you lay the track yourself, so that if anyone wants to use the mine on a prototypical route they can have it without the rails. As it is, that's what I'll aim for, since I have no idea how I would make it into a fixed track object.

 

[cascaderailroad]

Looking forward to downloading the mine tunnel...and seeing screenshots

 

[bigboy4010]

Here is the drawing my brother (Michcal2) made and it is what I'll be basing the model off of. It'll definitely be helpful to have it as reference.

 

[cascaderailroad]

Looks great ! The illuminated lantern or incandescent bulb detail would look great !
http://www.seldomseenmine.com/
http://www.pioneertunnel.com/home.shtml
http://no9mine.tripod.com/

I have taken many underground coal mine tourist RR trips...most mines in Pa do not have the 45 degree angled crossbraces, and they do not have wood supports running from timber frame, to timber frame, supporting the walls and roof. There usually is no wooden support of the top rock, and the rock tunnel walls. Asside from two slightly angled wooden pillars, and a top headers, spaced @ 20 foot apart. The tracks ties are usually imbedded in muck and mire, or covered with mud and mining debris.

 

[bigboy4010]

Sure, they don't usually have the 45 degree cross braces or the side and roof panels, but some do depending on how soft the mining is. If you've got the next-closest thing to mud you're digging through, you want as much support as possible to keep there from being a cave in. They do have mines like this, though running track into it when it's still this short is definitely my take on artistic license. Here are some progress pics.

http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/bigboy4010/MineTunnelP1.jpg

http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/bigboy4010/MineTunnelP2.jpg

http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss135/bigboy4010/MineTunnelP3.jpg