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Pipe bridge

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  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, April 3, 2022 4:59 PM

I was curious about how well the etched brass Walthers "conveyor" kit went together. It results in a nice looking accessory:

 Pipe_Span-brass-2 by Edmund, on Flickr

In the background is the plastic Walthers conveyor kit which also makes into a nice pipe bridge.

I put conveyor in quotes since the finished bridge looks much more like a gangway or personnel access bridge than any conveyor.

 Pipe_Span-brass-1 by Edmund, on Flickr

However it could certainly support piping, smaller pipe could be run in the cavity under the grating, larger pipe up top.

 Pipe_Span-brass by Edmund, on Flickr

IF you're modeling HO you might look at some of the N scale bridges available. I forget if this one is Faller or Kibri but I'm planning to use it in this area as a pipe span across the tracks here.

 Pipe_Span by Edmund, on Flickr

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    February 2008
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Posted by maxman on Sunday, April 3, 2022 10:55 AM

If the Bachmann signal bridge would be considered usable, then one might also consider the NJ International two track signal bridge.  The support structure at each end consists of two parallel vertical beams instead if the tapered beams on the Bachmann model.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Sunday, April 3, 2022 9:14 AM

hbgatsf

I had always used orange label on ABS with good results.  About a year age I was working on something in ABS and had a senior moment and just used MEK.  I realized my mistake after completing a few joints.  They turned out fine also.

Rick

 

Rick,

If You read the cautions on back of Plastruct Plastic Weld Orange label, You will find that it contains MEK Methyl Ethyl Ketone.

Take Care!Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 7:31 AM

NVSRR

Some people just used the old BACHMANN signal bridge.  They just don't put the lights on it.  

shane

 

That would be a great idea if I didn't have that signal bridge about 18" from where the the pipe bridge will be.  Thank you for mentioning it though because I want another and couldn't remember the brand.

Rick

Rick

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 7:04 AM

Some people just used the old BACHMANN signal bridge.  They just don't put the lights on it.  

shane

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 6:43 AM

I had always used orange label on ABS with good results.  About a year age I was working on something in ABS and had a senior moment and just used MEK.  I realized my mistake after completing a few joints.  They turned out fine also.

Rick

Rick

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, March 28, 2022 9:46 PM

hbgatsf

Do you know if those dimensions are for the entire truss or the struts and beams?  Except for the length they seem rather small to be the entire truss.

Rick

Edit:  I found this at the Plastruct website

 

Hi Rick

Like I was saying it's sold in various sizes I just used the one for an example.

They have it in Black ABS, Gray- I don't know what, and White styrene.  Widths ranging from 1/8" up to 1".

For solvent I usually use Tamiya thin but When in Doubt I get orange label out.

Hasn't failed me fusing any mismatched plastics yet.

 

TF

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Monday, March 28, 2022 6:38 PM

What scale are you working in???

 

I've used the Walthers HO conveyor kits for some pipe runs:

https://www.hobbylinc.com/walthers-belt-conveyorkit-3-ho-scale-model-railroad-building-accessory-3149

If you're looking for finer scale "look" they also offer a similar item in etched brass:

https://www.hobbylinc.com/walthers-grain-structure-bridgesupport-tower-ho-scale-model-railroad-building-accessory-2940

For a nice assortment of lattice girders, Central Valley is a good choice:

https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/cvy/cvy19025.htm

Their stairs, railings and ladders are also a good "kitbashing" source.

I still need to continue the pipe through it but you get the idea:

 IMG_5836_fix by Edmund, on Flickr

 IMG_5862_fix by Edmund, on Flickr

I've never had good luck using Plastruct ABS. Especially when trying to cement it to styrene. Probably something I'm doing wrong.

IF you need pipe, the Walthers refinery piping kit is a handy starting place:

https://www.hobbylinc.com/walthers-refinery-pipingkit-ho-scale-model-railroad-building-accessory-3114

 

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Monday, March 28, 2022 8:30 AM

Do you know if those dimensions are for the entire truss or the struts and beams?  Except for the length they seem rather small to be the entire truss.

Rick

Edit:  I found this at the Plastruct website

Rick

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Monday, March 28, 2022 8:18 AM

That is exactly what I was looking for.  Thank you.

Rick

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, March 28, 2022 8:13 AM

Hi Rick

Plastruct has various sizes available in ABS.

 

The black ABS is more rigid than the white styrene.

 

TF

 

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Pipe bridge
Posted by hbgatsf on Monday, March 28, 2022 7:26 AM

I need to span 3 tracks with piping.  I was thinking of using a bridge like this to do it.

While I could build it completely from scratch I was hoping to find some box girders already completed to use to make it easier.  Is there a product like that out there?

I am also open to other solutions if anyone has ideas.

 

Rick 

Rick

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