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Bridge Kit Comparison

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,557 posts
Bridge Kit Comparison
Posted by cowman on Friday, February 14, 2020 9:57 PM

Since my planned layout size got reduced to 1/3 of what I was originally  planning/buying for, I have to decide what to get rid of and what to keep for the smaller layout.  Most structures I can decide which business I want to keep, however, some things aren't so easy to choose.

I have an Atlas 888 Through Truss Bridge and a Walthers 3185 Single Track Truss Bridge.  Since my eyes aren't what they once were and I suppose time needs to be factored in, which of these kits is the easier build?

Thank you,

Richard 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • 123 posts
Posted by abbieleibowitz on Saturday, February 15, 2020 4:41 AM

Definitely, the Atlas bridge is easier to build, but the Walthers truss bridge has much better detail, if that matters.

Lefty

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,014 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, February 15, 2020 5:48 AM

cowman

I have an Atlas 888 Through Truss Bridge and a Walthers 3185 Single Track Truss Bridge.  Since my eyes aren't what they once were and I suppose time needs to be factored in, which of these kits is the easier build?

I have not built the Atlas Truss Bridge, but I have built the Walthers Single Track Truss Bridge and two of the Walthers Double Track Truss Bridges. They are easy to build and, if you are in a hurry, the Walthers bridge can be built in one day.

Rich

Alton Junction

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    December 2002
  • From: US
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Posted by tomytuna on Saturday, February 15, 2020 6:43 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i believe the double TRACK walthers bridge are/were too short for double stack trains. hs this been fixed to accept double stacks?

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,706 posts
Posted by zstripe on Saturday, February 15, 2020 7:13 AM

tomytuna

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i believe the double TRACK walthers bridge are/were too short for double stack trains. hs this been fixed to accept double stacks?

 

Yes.......read the second paragraph:

https://www.walthers.com/modernized-double-track-railroad-truss-bridge-kit-15-x-5-x-4-1-2-quot-38-1-x-12-7-x-11-4cm

Keyword, is modernized....also.

I used that bridge in My bridge kit-scratch/bash project, of a rolling lift bridge:

 

Take Care!Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,014 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, February 15, 2020 7:21 AM

The Walthers Single Track Truss Bridge (#933-3185) was always tall enough to provide clearance for double stacks. However, the original Walthers Double Track Truss Bridge (933-3012), now discontinued, was not tall enough to provide clearance for double stacks. The "modernized" Walthers Double Track Truss Bridge (933-4510) is tall enough to provide clearance for double stacks. 

Rich

Edit Note: Oops, just noticed that Frank snuck in his post while I was typing mine. Frankie, what are you doing up so early?

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,706 posts
Posted by zstripe on Saturday, February 15, 2020 7:36 AM

richhotrain
Frankie, what are you doing up so early?

I've been getting up around 3am every day. Found that My right hand does not shake so bad early in the morning. Surely helps alot, in building My second Battleship build. The one that is 4ft.long and has hundreds of etched brass parts. Enough to make a sane man...insane..LOL.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,014 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, February 15, 2020 7:54 AM

Frank, check your PMs.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,557 posts
Posted by cowman on Saturday, February 15, 2020 2:59 PM

Thank you folks for all the replies.  Now to figure if I want ease or detail.  I do have plenty of time, I  think, as carpentry savvy son keeps finding other projects to do.  (Repair heater hose on my truck which blew this AM.) 

Don't need to worry about double stacks, as I'll be in the early 50's transition era.  The prototype did have to dig down in the tunnel under Bellows Falls, VT to get double stacks and some Amtrak cars through.  Not doing a prototype area, so no worry.

I suppose I should have some benchwork shaping up before I get too many structures collecting dust on a shelf.

Thanks again,

Richard

 

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,706 posts
Posted by zstripe on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 4:24 AM

Marc_Magnus,

CK Your PM's............

Frank

  • Member since
    February 2020
  • 12 posts
Posted by IAFlyer on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 12:51 PM

I found the Walthers kits to be pretty detailed in the molded fine details. I suppose which to build might be determined by where in the layout it's going to be - farther away, then the Atlas might be fine. But if it's going to be up front and closely examined, I would recommend the Walthers. 

 

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