Lattice Bridge Progress Pictures

[Rex in Pinetop]

I'm back working on my winter building projects.  Here are some pictures of the bridge as it's being built.

First up was building the bents -

Next was a fitup to see how the parts were going to match

Once all the bents and the lattices were built it's assembly time on an interesting jig

Next was to build the railroad deck/stringer assembly

There are a lot of brass brads in this bridge which means a lot of holes to drill and fingers to pound

Next is the paint job for the timber parts of the bridge.  This took all day with my little air brush

Finally its time to put the roof on and man are there a lot shingles.  I'm only half way there in these pictures.

This is a bashed Garden Texture design.  I purchased the plans for the 35" covered bridge and made it into a 60" bridge to fit my application.  The closest thing I've found to a real bridge of this design is the Fisher Railroad Bridge in Wolcott, VT.  Garden Texture says that these bridges were covered to protect the expensive wooden timbers from the elements.  The "Town-Pratt double lattice" is so interesting I think I'm going to leave the sides mostly uncovered.  I'm also leaving the cupolas open since these were designed to be vents for the smoking steam engines.

Rex

[jhsimpson62]

And the tradition of excellence lives on. Great looking bridge. Jack

[ttrigg]

Rex:  Looks as if someone has been having entirely too much fun! 

 

[smcgill]

You make me sick!!! How do you do it so easily. How do you get the time. Keep up the great work! Sean

[Rex in Pinetop]

All,

Thanks for all your kind words.  I'm retired now so have lots of time to do the tedious work with a little engineering thrown in.  I've got a school and several scratch turn-outs to do this winter.  And then there is the ball diamond bleachers and lights for everything so I should be busy for awhile...

As the mortician would say "it's better to be seen than viewed".

Rex

[ttrigg]

Rex in Pinetop

... And then there is the ball diamond bleachers and lights for everything so I should be busy for awhile...

Ahh, a "Field of Dreams". (you build it and they will come.)

[Jerry Barnes]

Wow, that's a work of art! 

[MTCarpenter]

 Beautiful!  Well done.

[Rex in Pinetop]

Thanks again for your kind words.  I finially finished it.  Here are the pics.

I won't be able to install it in the layout until spring.  Right now Pinetop is getting about 2 ft of snow.

Rex

[Camaro1967]

 Rex, that is a beautiful piece of work, and it will really look great in place. Dont forget to show it in its final resting place.  I am curious what kind of paint you used.

Paul

[Rex in Pinetop]

Paul,

I use Behr Premium Weatherproofing Wood Finish and have the guys at Home Depot mix the colors for me.

Rex

[enginear]

That's a great job! Joe

[TJ Lee]

Looks fantastic! Nice work!

TJ