Hellgate Bridge

[tjsprague]

Just got back from a business trip to NYC and decided to avoice the pre-holiday rush at the airport so I took the train. My seat gave me a great view of the Hellgate bridge as the train came out of the tunnel in Queens. It was a big kick going over it, looking back at the city. OK, got to put one on my layout now! Can't afford a nice prewar original, plus with my existing layout it will need to hold two parallel tracks. Now to the questions;

1. Which of Lionel's new models allow for the side by side O-Gauge tracks? (or do all the newer ones?)

2. anyone with any experience with these? What would be the distance between the two tracks?

Thanks all in advance.

Tim

[prewardude]

Tim,

The repro Hellgates that Lionel released in 1999 and 2000 both allow for side-by-side O gauge tracks. I have the red and cream version from 2000, and I love it. It is absolutely beautiful!

Regards,
- Clint

[eZAK]

OR,
You could build one!

Click here; http://lots-trains.org/html/hell_gate_bridge.html

[CSX FAN]

Tim

I have the repro Lionel on my layout 1999 or 2000. It has been great .

I had to install a offset in the mainline from a 5 1/2" center line to a 3 1/2" center line required on the bridge. With a 072 curve the bridges need 171/2" of clearance to alow the big articulated engines to get through there over hang.

I have never had a problem with anything hitting the bridge. Schanbles, Big Boys, car carriers and large passengers have been fine.

Jamie

[Anonymous]

eZAK, I am looking for printed,detailed instructions and directions (including pics) on building a detailed Hellgate Bridge. Is there such an item? looking forward to your responce.
Grant Smith

[eZAK]

Sorry Grant,

I can't help you with an exact copy of the Hellgate, But
I do have more detailed instructions and more pics of my bridge.
Which mimics the center span.

Let me know at [e-mail] if you would like this info.

I think that one should be able to craft the end towers if so desired.

[Anonymous]

I have been through the bridge several times in the past few months and it is a very nice bridge. The view of the skyline is also amazing between the tunnel and the bridge.

[Frank53]

I could kick myself over the Hellgate bridge. My neighbor had one for Y-E-A-R-S in their garage of all places. The ladies Dad was a train nut and he had a big O-Gauge layout in his basement. I remember visiting when I was a kid and being swe struck by it. When he passed away, his daughter (my neighbor) inherited all of teh stuff and while her son had a fleeting interest in it, it wasn't a passion. I could have offered to buy it and probably done so any number of times over teh course of the years.

Just never really occured to me to do so, as I had not rekindled my interest in o-gauge at the time.