I'm looking putting an elevated rail(s) across the middle of my layout but would like for it to have a gentle curve in it instead of a straight line. Any ideas would help my brain storming. I've been looking at Micro-Engineering components. Has anyone used these? It will only be elevated 4 inches.
TIA,
Dan
Dan--
I don't know about the MicroEngineering elevated spans, but their tall viaduct kits come with instructions on how to 'bevel' the edges of the components to affect a curve. I was able to use two of their tall viaducts on a 36" radius curve by following their instructions. It has to do with shortening the inside girders as you assemble the units together.
I would think it would be possible to do the same thing with their elevated street spans. First decide what radius curve you are going to use, then lay out a template and build the girder sections on the template, shortening the inside girders as needed.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
As Tom has noted, the Micro Engineering bridges can be curved, either by shortening the girders on the inside of the curve or lengthening those on the outside.
This one has only a slight curve at the near end:
...while the tall one here is on a 34" radius curve. The lower bridge also has a slight curve at its left end:
Wayne
Dan,
You can contact ME directly and can order the girder sections that you need. Since you are not spanning a vast valley or canyon, the use of piers as Wayne used on his lower track may be the best option.
Buying one of the viaduct kits could end up wasting the towers.
The girder spans can be trimmed/ mitered to fit a template of the curve.
The open deck kits are(in HO), 30' #75-502; 50' #75-501 and they have since added a longer girder kit I beleive is an 80'.
You need to remember that the smaller the radius the shorter the sections you will have to use to mimimize the tie overhangs. Not sure what radius you plan on using.
The ME 36" bridge flex track can be orderd as well. It comes w/ code 70 guard rails and molded guard timbers.
ME's info is: Micro Engineering Inc, 1120 Eagle Rd., Fenton, MO 63026 (636)349-1112
They are very helpful and items ordered have be recieved in short order.
Wayne, that is some exquisite work on the use of the ME product, excellent work as always.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org