Prototype information for the modeler

Hi,

I'm currently reading The Wrecker by Clive Cussler, and although trestle bridges don't usually have ballasted track on them, as opposed to deck girders, I was wondering if there was any possible way or circumstance in which this could be the case?

Thanks in advance,

tbdanny

Ballasted deck trestles were/are quite common.  A 1958 Southern Pacific common standard plan shows the ballasted deck constructed of 4-by-12 boards, with a ballast guards along the deck edges made of 4-by-12s placed on edge.  They are secured with 2-by-3/8 steel braces holding the edges upright with the bolts driven through the deck as well as the stringer running along the outside ends of the bentcaps.  The braces are spaced about 4 feet apart, and leave the ballast guards at a 60-degree angle and attaching to the deck at a 30-degree angle.

It is easier to maintain trackwork with a ballasted deck. 

Mark

Mark,

Thanks for clearing that up.

Cheers,

tbdanny

 Canadian National Railways also had a lot of ballasted decks on wooden trestles on prairie branchlines.  The timber deck was supported on multiple stringers.  As well as making track maintenance easier, the ballast helped reduce the fire risk from locomotive and brake shoe sparks in the dry climate.

John

Yes, ballasted timber trestle bridge, ESPECIALLY on the Santa Fe.  I have some old pictures but not scanned or on my webspace... and two big school papers breathing down my neck.  Maybe I can find them but not today....

Yes, the Milwaukee Road had them too, at least on the Pacific Extention. As someone just pointed out, this was to help prevent fires cause by sparks.

Some trestles seemed to be ballasted, but really weren't.  They had tin nailed to the tietops and covered with sand or finer-than-ballast gravel, to keep falling cinders and other hot objects off the woodwork.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)