When I started modelling less than 18 months ago, my first attempt was making deep level London Underground tunnels and platforms using postal tubes for the tunnels. It was a reasonable effort but where the bottom was cut out to make it flat created a weakness that made it too flimsy. Now I’m working on version 2 of that prototype. A neighbour had new carpets fitted and there was a 4 metre thick cardboard inner lying in their driveway. I asked if I could take it and it’s been in the train shed for months. Here I’ve sawn a 120cm section and used polystyrene insulation to support the full tube on the baseboard. I’ve cut out a viewing window using a jigsaw and then this allows acrylic tubes to be placed inside - the idea would be that these can be moved to each side to get access to the track. I put one of the old prototypes in place just to give an idea of how it might look when done. I want to build this into a multi layer diorama that has deep level and subsurface underground tunnels and I’ll put some sewers and utilities in. The top level will be a capital street scene. Still lots to do for this first level: - paint it all black - work out how to create a level track bed inside the tube - lay the tunnel track - print the platform tiling and fix in place - place the platform sections - glue everything in place

Posted by Russell - Belle Epoque MR at 2026-04-18 12:21:47 UTC