Most railroads tended to be fairly consistent in the designs of such things. If you will need more than one signal bridge, you probably will want to make them all the same. However, if one installation was put in place later than the other, it may be different because the railroad changed its standards. If you have two different railroads side by side, you may want to represent them as using different types.
Tom
Ed, that's a good point. I have considered the Oregon Rail Supply signal bridges.
I am still trying to decide what to do, but leaning toward NJI. Just not sure.
Rich
Alton Junction
Rich,
FYI, Oregon Rail Supply makes a PRR style bridge in two or four track configurations as well. I use lots of Oregon parts & pieces to make my signal installations.
https://www.walthers.com/products/layout/four-track-signal-bridge-kit-with-union-switch-signal-1-2-3-light-targets
If you're modeling the Chicago area there's sure to be some of these bridges around the several PRR lines there.
The I beam type from NJI are very simple looking. I like to have something with more "eye" appeal, IMHO.
Regards, Ed
gmpullman Here's something similar to the NJI design in Boston around 1904: http://www.shorpy.com/node/7451?size=_original#caption Sure, a bridge like that would certainly fit in the era of the '50s. Regards, Ed
Here's something similar to the NJI design in Boston around 1904:
http://www.shorpy.com/node/7451?size=_original#caption
Sure, a bridge like that would certainly fit in the era of the '50s.
ACY I agree with Ed. I don't recall seeing cantilever installations (NJI cat. #4001-4) prior to the 1930's, but the multitrack bridges supported by two towers (NJI cat. #4007-10) have been in use since the 1800's. Those signal bridges lasted well past the 1950's.
I agree with Ed. I don't recall seeing cantilever installations (NJI cat. #4001-4) prior to the 1930's, but the multitrack bridges supported by two towers (NJI cat. #4007-10) have been in use since the 1800's. Those signal bridges lasted well past the 1950's.
I have used the Bachmann signal bridges and the Model Power signal bridges on my layout, but they do look a bit toy like.
Thanks for the replies, guys.
Without seeing a photo, I'm not sure about their cat. #4006 I-beam type. If it's the simplified type used by Southern and others, I think it would not be correct before the 1950's, although I'm prepared to be proved wrong.
From my observations it has only been in the recent fifteen or so years that there has really been any "significant" updates of the signal bridges that have endured since the teens and twenties.
It seems like the railroads are favoring the light-weight, tubular types in the new wave of physical plant upgrades.
Sure, a bridge like that would certainly fit in the era of the '50s. Keep in mind, many railroads used their "signature" designs and were distinctive and specific to a particular railroad, and even a particular area of that railroad. For instance, the cantilevered type the NYC used on the Hudson Division were somewhat unique as were styles of bridges used by the PRR, Santa Fe, New Haven, Etc.
NJ International makes an HO scale 2-track signal bridge, #4009.
http://www.njinternational.com/sigbridgekits.htm
What era would that signal bridge represent?
Would it fit a 1950s layout or is it more modern?