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Bridging a river on an NP-inspired layout

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  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Miles City, Montana
  • 2,289 posts
Posted by FRRYKid on Monday, August 19, 2019 3:27 PM

doctorwayne

The most obvious bridge for a span that short would be a girder-type, with either stone or concrete abutments supporting it.

The short girders atop the support towers are from Micro Engineering and are available, as kits, separately. While they're 30' long, it wouldn't be too difficult to shorten them if needed.

I believe that M.E. also offers a 30' through-type girder bridge, but I'd recommend the deck type, as it has no lateral restrictions for overly wide cars or long equipment where the bridge is located within a curve.

Bridge abutments, in either simulated stone or concrete, are readily available, or you can cast your own in plaster or make them from styrene.  Most of mine are cast in plaster to represent concrete ones.

Wayne

Based on pics I have seen, the short ME bridge is what I was leading toward using. The area in question is on a straight line. I have some piers that I had used previously that I will reuse.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
  • Member since
    January 2019
  • 1,686 posts
Posted by Erik_Mag on Monday, August 19, 2019 1:52 PM

FRRYKid

I am in need of plans for an accurate NP 20-25' bridge that might have existed on the mainline from Billings to the MT/ND border in the late 60's to post-merger for said river. (I haven't measured the exact width of the river but I know that a 30' bridge is too big.) As usual, any assistance that can be provided would be most welcomed.

 

I would take a look at the Tongue River bridge as it's been there for quite a while.

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Monday, August 19, 2019 1:24 PM

The most obvious bridge for a span that short would be a girder-type, with either stone or concrete abutments supporting it. 

All of my girder bridges are of the deck-type and are within larger, multi-span bridges.

This one, beneath the locomotive, is an Atlas through-girder type, shortened and modified to act as a deck-type....

...as is this one with the locomotives on it...

The short girders atop the support towers are from Micro Engineering and are available, as kits, separately (without the tower). While they're 30' long, it wouldn't be too difficult to shorten them if needed.

I believe that M.E. also offers a 30' through-type girder bridge, but I'd recommend the deck type, as it has no lateral restrictions for overly wide cars or long equipment where the bridge is located within a curve.

Bridge abutments, in either simulated stone or concrete, are readily available, or you can cast your own in plaster or make them from styrene.  Most of mine are cast in plaster to represent concrete ones.

Wayne

 

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Miles City, Montana
  • 2,289 posts
Posted by FRRYKid on Monday, August 19, 2019 10:10 AM

That actually gave me some ideas for what I can use for said bridge. I will have to do some further research to see what I can bash to fit.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,251 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, August 19, 2019 4:48 AM

Something to look at while you're waiting for a proper answer...Wink

https://bridgehunter.com/category/railroad/northern-pacific-railroad/

Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Miles City, Montana
  • 2,289 posts
Bridging a river on an NP-inspired layout
Posted by FRRYKid on Monday, August 19, 2019 12:34 AM

Got yet another another for my Forum friends who model NP:

I will be moving to a house with a nice garage where I can reset up my current J-shaped protolanced layout. As a result it will become roughly a G-shape. I will be reusing a section from my old layout that has a river in it to make the G-shape.

I am in need of plans for an accurate NP 20-25' bridge that might have existed on the mainline from Billings to the MT/ND border in the late 60's to post-merger for said river. (I haven't measured the exact width of the river but I know that a 30' bridge is too big.) As usual, any assistance that can be provided would be most welcomed.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.

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