I constructed tunnel walls at a high point in the terrain. The tunnel is about 4 feet long. I first built a base out of concrete to support the structure (see photo below). I made the walls out of brick mainly because I had them available. I put four steel rebar rods across the top to support a rock cover (see second photo below).






I then (October 1, 2004) began filling in dirt to bring the terrain up to the desired level. (see photo below).




After filling dirt to the level of the track base, I covered the dirt with wood chips to protect it from heavy rain and wind erosion during the winter. I also added rock over the tunnel to improve its temporary appearance.

In early November, I purchased three tons of decorative rock. But, due to foul weather, I wasn't able to begin laying rock until December.

I first laid the rock in place, selecting pieces that fit together as much as possible. I was able to chip off some minor pieces of rock to ease the fit. I then set each rock in place in a small trench so that each rock was "coming out of the ground" and not "sitting on the ground" for a natural appearance.

After setting 8-12 feet of rock, I poured concrete behind each rock to hold it in place (see photo). I also put concrete between the rocks to give a smoother, continuous surface. In some places, a second or even third row of rock was needed to bring the rock up to the level of the nearby railroad bed. In some places I tilted the rocks back to give a gentler rock slope; in other places a wanted a shear rock, cliff-like face.

I made two gullies or washes out of rock for interest; both go under the railroad bed where I had left an opening for a bridge.






In a few places I left the rock below the railroad bed level so that I can place in-scale retaining walls to add realism. After the concrete set up, I filled between the rock and railroad bed with dirt and added chips on the surface to prevent erosion over the winter. A few rocks were scattered carefully about so that the rockwork blends together; these rocks will be reset as plants and buildings are added.

I continued with construction of the rockwork around the layout. I added some specimen rocks to the hill. I also placed rocks in the bed to transition between the cliffs and create a more natural flow of rock. Some of these were placed strategically to serve as stepping stones for access to the track and plants.


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