Elevated track

[Anonymous]

I'm in the process of building a city (currently 5.5x10 layout in HO scale) and I would like to do a completely elevated train. I'm not looking for a train on a hill, but more of like the trains in Chicago. I'm not sure what the best way to accompli***his would be. I would LIKE to have it all steel girder work (like this but without the arch).
However, that could get quite expensive. Would it be better to just use foam like the Woodland Scenics risers, and use a bridge whenever it needs to go over something?
Also, on average, with one train going over another train, how high should the elevated track be? I'll be running a freight train on the lower level and an Acela on the elevated track. Again, this is for HO.
Let me know your opinions.
Thanks,
Kevin (aka chewie8han)

[Anonymous]

This is what I did, sounds like we were after the same idea.

I elevated my track 4 1/4 inches. I made my risers from pine wood and etched them with an exacto and painted and weathered them a flat gray to simulate concrete. Therefore my eleavation is not enclosed. The only areas I enclosed it are in 2 places and there I used foam where I have a hill that rises to meet the elavation. My elevated roadbed consists of balsa wood secured to my homemade risers with brads that were driven by an air-powered brad nailer. I think it provides me with a very secure elevated track and looks authentic. The places that my track crosses over other track and roads I used Atlas "steel plated" bridges which replicate the BNSF bridges in my area.

By the way, I love that bridge you show in your pic. If I had that bridge, I would run a river under the arched portion, but only because that for me would replicate the bridge over the Missouri River near Sioux City, Iowa that the BNSF uses. What brand/model bridge is that (that you have shown)?

[DSchmitt]

Have you looked at Micro Engineering's viaduct kits?[:D]

[Anonymous]

That bridge is made by Atlas. You can buy it at http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/atl/atl887.htm That page shows a different picture, but that's just the arched piece. The side pieces (with the picture) can be found at the bottom of the page under "Others Also Ordered". It's the first one, Pony Truss Bridge Nickel Silver HO. Since they're both made by Atlas, I'm sure you can find them pretty much anywhere. I have no clue the quality, just saw the picture and liked that design. Do you have any pictures of your homemade ones? I'd love to see them.

DSchmitt, I haven't heard of Micro engineering's viaducts before. I'll be sure to look them up.

[DSchmitt]

I didn'tfind a web site for them. This on line shop has information:

http://www.internettrains.com/micenbridpar.html

[GDRMCo]

Have a look at this. http://www.internettrains.com/micen90doubt.html It is a double track city viaduct. it should be perfect for your needs.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DSchmitt

Have you looked at Micro Engineering's viaduct kits?[:D]

yues those are perfect for city elevated lines. check them out.

[Anonymous]

There is an article in the recent N-Scale magazine detailing an elevated line using styrene. It was written for N scale but some of the techniques would apply to HO.

[FThunder11]

ALL RIGHT ANOTHER KEVIN MODELING THE ACELA EXPRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chewie8han

That bridge is made by Atlas. You can buy it at http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/atl/atl887.htm That page shows a different picture, but that's just the arched piece. The side pieces (with the picture) can be found at the bottom of the page under "Others Also Ordered". It's the first one, Pony Truss Bridge Nickel Silver HO. Since they're both made by Atlas, I'm sure you can find them pretty much anywhere. I have no clue the quality, just saw the picture and liked that design. Do you have any pictures of your homemade ones? I'd love to see them.

DSchmitt, I haven't heard of Micro engineering's viaducts before. I'll be sure to look them up.

Chewie, as soon as I get my dig. camera back from my brother, Ill post a bunch of pics for ya!

[Anonymous]

I'm really liking the looks of the Microengineering products. Does anyone know if they make any curved pieces? I have a nice long straight-away, but have plenty of 22" curved radius pieces, and can only find the straight pieces.
I would scratchbuild something, but I'm (I hate to say this) afraid to try it. I'm not all that skilled (although I can build nice kit buildings).

[Anonymous]

Hornby make a set of elevated track supports and side walls that might be something like what you're after - they're pretty solid when fixed down. Reference numbers for the packs are R659 for the elevated supports, R660 for the side walls, and they also offer R658 - a matching set of inclined supports. Hope this is of some help - they're worth a look if you can get Hornby stuff where you are.

[Anonymous]

Those sidewalls would probably work for what I need. Now... can I find them??

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainman285

There is an article in the recent N-Scale magazine detailing an elevated line using styrene. It was written for N scale but some of the techniques would apply to HO.

Do you know which issue this is? I would like to see if I can order as a back-order, but N-scale magzaines back issue listing did not point me easily to the specific issue.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chewie8han

Those sidewalls would probably work for what I need. Now... can I find them??

Not sure where these can be bought over there, though if you have no luck finding a supplier I'd suggest www.ehattons.com - they stock all the Hornby equipment listed and will ship to the US. I've ordered from them several times and had no problems - they're fast, efficient, and friendly.

[Anonymous]

The elevated track article is in the September/October 2004 issue.