It might be more realistic to use a bridge only on the track closest to the aisle. You could make the argument that the railroad originally built it's line on the available space between the hills and a lake or river, but when they went to build add a second track to the mainline, the only room they had was to the lake/river side, so had to build a bridge at this point to go over some water. You could have some rocky outcroppings or something to give the idea that they couldn't easily do a fill, it was easier just to put in a bridge.
BTW you might look into using an Atlas Deck Girdger bridge. As built, it's unrealistic because the track is laid right on the very bottom, and the floor of the deck is unrealistically thin. If you use it with the existing roadbed/ballast it actually makes it look more realistic.
A couple of short-in-height trestles of different lengths crossing a marshy area would fit in better. Regardless, you'll need to lower the layout base under the trestles/bridges because they don't cross roadbed-level solid ground.
Mark
dale8chevyssPlus I needed to put the bridges where they were because some of my longer cars wouldn't make it if I put it directly after the radius.
Just a thought: It might be possible if you used a wider bridge.
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
Well not all bridges have to cross raging rivers or water for that matter, how about crossing some marshy low lands aka wetlands or a dry gully etc. If your not all too attached to those bridges I would check this guys website out. Seems like a bridge tailor made for what your trying to accomplish. Going through a bridge building fiasco of my own right now I can say there are other factors to consider along with the bridge. Fist off your going to need bridge abutments piers if you make the bridges long enough and if you go the side by side rout like you've pictured your most likely going to need a vehicle bridge of some sort. So maybe put the tow bridges end to end on the outer most track so you don't have to contend with that turnout just to the left of the inner most bridge. One other thing you may want to consider is adding a fascia to your layout. by doing tis you not only hide the underside of the bench work it self but will now be able to incorporate the depression that the bridges are there to cross. Just a thought.
http://www.scalebridge.com/index.shtml
At this particular location, I can't see how you could make it believable unless you do cut some serious bench. The reason is that what lies closer to the backdrop, because it is so visible and proximal to those two desired bridges, must also have some conformity to the same problem...whatever it should be...a gorge, large culvert, canal,....
In other words, as things are shown, and as close as they are in scale, whatever the two bridges would solve for you should also be seen at that rearward complex of trackage. You might get away with a culvert under the far tracks, and then the two bridges would have to span something larger into which the culvert empties. Trouble is, on a real railroad, it would almost certainly mean a fill, and not a bridge for the relative size and depth one would expect.
So, if you really want the bridges (and I luv 'em...), you will have to make something substantial over which they provide a better solution from a financial and engineering standpoint. And that, I'm afraid, means some cutting.
As I see it...
-Crandell
That's what I was thinking, something to that effect, probably just not that grand.
Thanks for the ideas.
Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.
Daniel G.
Dale:
You might also consider having the two tracks bridge the 'back' of a pond that extends to the edge of a layout. Possibly a reservoir that 'imagineers' beyond the edge.
I did something similar on my own layout: "Imagineered" a reservoir that is fed by two branches of a river, but extends 'beyond' the front of the layout. Here's a photo of Bullard's Bar on my Rio Grande Yuba River Sub.
However, in your case, instead of making it the 'beginning' of the reservoir, you can use the two bridges on your mainlines to cross the 'back' of it.
Just a thought.
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!
That's what I was afraid of. I was contemplating making it an overpass of the road as I didn't know if I could make the water "go somewhere." Plus I needed to put the bridges where they were because some of my longer cars wouldn't make it if I put it directly after the radius. (hence why some of the plastic fascia is missing) I'll keep thinking about it and see what happens. Thank you for the replies.
From an engineering prespective unless you go to the backdrop it will look funky.
How about moving them a foot to the right and make them into underpasses for the road? You might have to rearrange the roads to get enough approach or put an underpass on the third track too.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
How about a small pond for runoff water from the hills right where that perfect shaped Christmas tree is flowing into a culvert under the tracks to the edge of the layout? Think about all the rain water flowing from those hills. It has to go somewhere. No tearing up track and no bridges to maintain. Minimum of cutting and a realistic effect.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I had the same problem. I solve it in a grand way. I built the canyon shown and hand built the trestle. It did not require a lot of space as I put it in a corner.
Hi all.
My layout is nearing completion and I want do some things different to it instead of dismantling it and starting over, but I'd like some advice.
I have some bridges that I'd like to incorporate into the layout, but I'm not sure how. I've worked with envirotex and cutting out holes for water features (I've installed a pond already) but I'm looking to do something else. Here is the area of discussion that I'm thinking about putting a couple of bridges/water feature.
I'd like to do something that involves minimal cutting of the layout.
Ideally, this is where I'd like to set the bridges and make the final product look.
I don't want to install a river that goes back to the backdrop; perhaps some sort of edge of a lake or something? Maybe I could put the road that runs parallel to the tracks under the bridges and run a stream next to it......? Also, how much of a PITA would it be to deal with the already ballasted tracks?
Thanks for the advice. I thought sharing my ideas might help, or if you think I should just say to heck with it and leave it like it is.