troubles with trestles

[runawaytrain726]

to all

on my railroad, my dad, gramda , and i are trying to build a trestle and can't get our ideas straight! i was hoping that whoever coulds give suggestions or tips could really help us out.

hint: it's on a hillside and unexpected grades.

-steven

 

[whiterab]

Steven,

First off, trestles are really easier to build than they first look.  They are basically just trestle bents constructed to the height you need to keep the track level over changing ground heights connected by stringers. 

A good place to start would be to get a set of plans for bents and build a jig.  Bents of any height can then be built.  The plans I used when I was starting out were from Garden Texture http://www.gardentexture.com/   A set of plans start at around $10.  Bob also sells starter kits complete with the wood you need. 

The most important choice you will have will be selecting the type of wood you will use.  Redwood and Cedar are the most common choices at they will weather well and are resistant to warping.  Woods such as pine will rot and warp outside and are targets for insect damage.

I use Titebond III for gluing and pins in critical places.  Bob's plans show you where the pins are critical.  Brass pins are best and available at any good hardware store.  Even cedar and redwood needs to be sealed against the weather.  I use Behr Patio Furniture sealer but there are dozens of types of sealer that will work.

 

[altterrain]

I have never built a trestle but the whole trick to doing it seems to be building a good jig for the bents. There was a garden railroading series on DIY network in which they addressed building a trestle. The pic of the jig is not great but here is the article - http://tinyurl.com/2ao29b. This is a pretty good article on it too - http://www.blackbearcc.com/TrestleBuilding_Barrett.pdf. In your case I would build a series of slightly overlength bents without the bottom cross members attached. After you figure out the exact length they need to be just trim to length and attach the bottom supports. Be sure to take some pics as you go along and post 'em.

-Brian 

[Anonymous]

Building trestles is not much different from any basic woodworking task, like building a table or bookcase. The materials used are pretty much the same, but in smaller sizes. Unless you can find strip wood in the sizes you need in a hobby shop or craft center,  you will have to make your own . If you have a table saw, cutting and ripping common wood to size is no big deal. Just watch your fingers around the blade. Waterproof glue(Titebond III) or equal plus a few brads will put you in the trestle making business in no time. A jig first needs to be made so all your trestle supports(bents) come out the same, except for length. If you want a curved trestle, all you need to do is laminate a few strips of wood into the curve you want. In G scale, common sizes of wood strips would be: 1/4"x1/4", 1/4"x3/16", 3/8"x3/8", 1/2"x1/2". You would not have much need for anything larger. Wood dowels up to 1/2" diameter are also usefull for construction. I have built many trestles using the information outlined above. Some are over ten years old and still as good as new. When I started building trestles, one tool I didn't have then, but now have is a brad nail gun. I think this tool is indispensible when trying to nail one part to another. A common ordinary hammer can be used, but it is big and awkard to use on small pieces of wood. Once you get into it, you will find out how easy it is. Have fun.

[dougdagrump]

Is it really neccessary to use a trestle ?

Depending on the slope, how about a scle sized retaining wall backfilled with pea gravel ?

[Anonymous]

Is it really neccessary to use a trestle ?

Depending on the slope, how about a scle sized retaining wall backfilled with pea gravel ?

Doug, you can make a number of things to make the crossing because after all it is your RR.

As for the second question maybe a retaining wall and bridge is all you need!?

[Anonymous]

DD1, i am also going to start building trestles. when ever i have done a project i have almost always applied the protectant (poly, paint, or water protectant) after the piece was together or at least partially assembled. for my trestles though i will be using cut down cedar and then immediately treat, before i assemble. have you found any preferences for treating before (so i can really get inbetween the joints) or after the assembly?

 

[Anonymous]

There really isn't any right or wrong way to preserve the wood. If you are going to spray, an assembled trestle would be the way to go. Preserving small pieces of wood by paint brush, can be messy, but at least you will know every surface is protected. I used to preserve my trestles with creosote, a product that is no longer available. It used to be used on full size trestles and that was good enough for me to use. There are preservatives available. Chesc with your big box store(Lowes, Home Depot)

[runawaytrain726]

thank you for all of your advice and to all who have responded to my hour of need.

once again, thank you

-Steven

 

[TJ Lee]

Steven,

 You might get some ideas from this PDF:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/tj-lee/

 See the Trains - Building Scenery - Trestles Rev 11-09-2006.pdf

Best,

TJ