Thinking back on the HO pier sets that Atlas used to sell, I am curious about prototypes for these, especially during the early- to mid-20th century. What kind of guardrails would be used, and would guardrails typically be installed at the lowest point of elevation?
Hi,
When I think of these Atlas bridge piers, which I believe every beginner's layout had at least one set of, I'm reminded of the St. Charles Air Line at W.16th and Canal, just south of Union Station, in Chicago:
St_Charles by Edmund, on Flickr
As you can see in the overhead shot there aren't any guard rails.
St_Charles2 by Edmund, on Flickr
I think every railroad's engineering department had a different approach to risk-assessment vs. cost of physical plant.
If moving equipment could potentially cause expensive damage, then the guard rails were installed. Otherwise, they were left to chance.
Sometimes on multiple-track lines, I've seen guard rails only on one rail of each outer-most track.
Regards, Ed
gmpullman Hi, When I think of these Atlas bridge piers, which I believe every beginner's layout had at least one set of, I'm reminded of the St. Charles Air Line at W.16th and Canal, just south of Union Station, in Chicago:
Thanks for the pix! So if one were going to use these things and try to create something realistic, I guess you would have to include some sort of a base that mimics concrete, and put up some sort of guardrail.
You'll need some sort of road bed or base. I've never seen piers where it's just the rail and ties, like the Atlas over-under figure 8 thing. That just isn't right!
And, just to be clear, by guard rail, do you mean the rail that's layed in between the tracks, like on a bridge? or do you mean the railings for any people that maybe walking on it?
I've watched trains run on the Air Line bridge, and they go super slow! CN uses it. Watching it reminds me of stacking dimes! It just looks like they are going to fall off! even though it's double tracked.
Mike.
My You Tube
mbinsewiAnd, just to be clear, by guard rail, do you mean the rail that's layed in between the tracks, like on a bridge? or do you mean the railings for any people that maybe walking on it?
For my purposes, on either side of a single track, to prevent the train from crashing if it derails.