I've built a decent 2.5 mi. HO, point to point branch line route-wise...But while begining scenicing really started to see a major mistake in planning...Two large-ish tunnels wound up with their land above portals too low to portal tops to be believable as being able to support trackage or even a community, say, above tunnels..!! I did see this coming but didn't do anything and was in denial about it until yesterday, some 8 years in...One tunnel top holds 2-3 ft long, 2 track stub ended holdover yard connected up to the main by a 2 ft long approach track. As this lead is long enough I was able to get yard's 1/2" ply subroadbed raised another 3 real inches giving a realistic depth to the land below it and the tunnel's ceiling.. Now same approach track is on a about 3.5-4 % grade but I like the drama it adds and tested OK with the 10 wheeler and a few cars up/down..Cool ! Now I've begun to remedy same situation with a 2.5' x 4.5 ' peninsula.. Tunnel portal top wil be too close to trackage above...this is approached to by a long straight main about 5-6 feet long. I will lift all the many risers soon and get Peninsula top and approach-main up to a believable level thanks to the proper installation of risers. 3 real inches is roughly 24 HO feet thicker ....Was beginning to think i'd made a terrible unremediable design error..Well, I did, but can get out from under it now !! PHeeeew !!!
