Crosby Tunnel (T&F)/Behind the Scenes

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This is a behind the scenes subpage for Crosby Tunnel (T&F). This subpage contains all behind the scenes material relating to said article.

Background Information

Crosby Tunnel is a tunnel west of Crosby on the Island of Sodor created by the Rev. W. Awdry.

Crosby Tunnel first appeared in the tenth series episode It's Good to Be Gordon, which first aired in 2006. Its last appearance was in the twenty-fourth series episode World of Tomorrow, which was released in 2020.

Behind the Scenes

Gauge 1 set

Crosby Tunnel debuted in the tenth series of the television series, as a 16-by-20-foot set for a 1:32 scale. The tunnel reused the tunnel portal from the Headlands, which was originally constructed for the previous series.

Crosby Tunnel in the tenth series

The tunnel portal as the Headlands Tunnel in the ninth series

CGI set

In 2009, the series introduced Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) as a replacement for the show's long-standing live-action models. Crosby Tunnel was recreated from scratch in CGI by Jam Filled Toronto. The model was "hand-sculpted" in Maya, a 3D animation and modelling software.

Final render

Roof

Interior

The hill and passing loop

Crosby Tunnel in storyboards for a deleted scene

Set Changes

Crosby Tunnel has had modifications throughout the CGI era. These include:

• Series 20:
  • The design of the tunnel portals changes.
  • The tunnel portals are now made of red brick.
  • The track in front of the tunnel is now straight.
• Series 23:
  • A passing loop and a hill are added on the Knapford side of the tunnel.