O Scale Wooden Trestles

[TheBigT]

I am just getting back into my O Scale lionel trains and have constructed a 5x12 layout.  Well almost constructed.  My delima here is I would like to build some wooden trestles for 2 elevated loops but again as I stated I am just getting back inot my trains from about a 15 year lay off.  All I have ever had for layout were the flat as pancake 4x8 styles.  One loop will be about 5 inches off the base and the other about 10 inches.  I do have one mountain constructued but the elevated loop does not go through it.  I am planning a second mountain for both elevated loops as well as the two base loops.  Yes I am craming alot into a tiny space but I like watching as many trains as I can get moving that I can.  Could anyone provide me with typical o scale wood sizes to use for building these tresltes and a spacing requirment to follow for the trestles.  Also what hardware to use to attached each member together or is glue good enough.  Thanks

[Frank53]

I just finished making one. I used 1/4" square lengths I picked up at Home Depot. This is about 14" tall.

I spaced the bents to fall at every metal tie of tubular track, which generally puts them about 5" apart. I used yellow wood glue and it appears to be super strong. The way I positioned the diagonal cross members has every other one of them pushing against each other to stabilize teh one between them. 

You can see more of this being built in the link that takes you to "Race to Finish My Layout" at the bottom of this post.

[TheBigT]

Frank53 thanks for the input that is really cool what you have done.  Gave me all kids of ideas that the wife will surely be happy about.  Not that I do not spend enough time working on the layout now I will approach her with all the new ideas she'll love hearing that.  Anyway I really appreciate the input.  You have no mechanical fasteners with those treslte just the wood glue correct.

[phillyreading]

I might add that if you are planning to cross over a track that you make the height at least seven inches or as tall as your highest car or locomotive, with pantagraph raised if electric,  that will go underneath.

I did an elevated passenger track a few years ago and one of the issues I ran into was height, I used 1 by 1 square pieces of wood for support and screwed both ends down, one to the layout and the other to the track. I used 027 track for the elevated loop as I though that it would be easier to mount above the table than 031.

Lee F.

[dwiemer]

BigT, Welcome to a wonderful site with lots of information, and a good bit of freindship.  I have been looking at a lot of prototype photos and see quite a variety out there.  I just saw in one of my magazines a listing of "next issue" highlites where they are going to discuss wooden trestles.  I don't have them all here right now, but it is either Classic Toy Trains, O Gauge Railroading, or, I believe this is the one....Railroad Model Craftsman.  I have found looking at old prototypes to be a great resource.  good luck and look forward to more posts from you.

Dennis

[Buckeye Riveter]

This photo might help you.  It was taken on the Rio Grande Southern abandoned tracks in Colorado.  This trestle is on a curve and they call it a "butterfly trestle"  due to the shape at the bottom of each bent.  I would assume they used this shape to counteract the forces of the train through the curve.

[Anonymous]

Fun to build you own but companies like Scenic Express also offer some pre-fab stuff that looks really nice...

[Frank53]

Fun to build you own . . .

only up to a point.

Now, where's that Scenic Express Catalog???

[csxt30]

Here it is !! Once you sign up for it, you'll have it in a few days !!

  http://www.sceneryexpress.com/Inforequest.asp

Thanks, John

[Neil B.]

Hi guys,

The cover story on the next issue of CTT is about the trestle parts made by Grand Central Gems and sold through Scenic Express and other outlets.

Neil Besougloff
editor

[Anonymous]

I built this one

but if I did another one I think I'd consider the pre-fab sections.   

 

[dwiemer]

It must have been the next CTT I was referring to.  I do know that the Railroad Model Craftsman has a number of articles over the year about building trestles, etc.  One thing to keep in mind, if you are going towards a prototype, the trestle is built for the service it provides.  So, for a spur line that does not carry lots of traffic, and no big loads/big engines, they probably would be supported for that purpose and not have the money invested in the type of structure for a heavy traffic main line.  If, you are going with a main line, you should have it well braced with plenty of cross bracing too.  If you look around, they have some books specifically on building trestles.  Also, they have some jigs that allow you to build your own, perfectly spaced bents, etc. 

Good Luck,

Dennis

[jefelectric]

Check out these sites.

http://www.blackbearcc.com/index.htm

 http://www.westportterminal.de/trestle.html

http://members.fortunecity.com/gknowles/articles/trestle.htm

This last one is about 1/2" scale but very informative.

[TheBigT]

Thanks to all who have responded thus far I really appreciate the input.  I have alot of work ahead of me to complete this addition but from the looks of what some of you have done it will be worth it. 

[Frank53]

I built this one

but if I did another one I think I'd consider the pre-fab sections.   

 

Ralph - what size did you use on that one - 3/8"?

It looks super sturdy

[Anonymous]

I think I used 5/16 hardwood (square) dowels. I was pleasantly surprised at how sturdy it was once it was all together. No nails or fasteners - the whole thing was glued with Elmer's wood glue. It was the first one I tried to do and I probably over-built it.

[Frank53]

It's sweet looking, Ralph. I like the stout look of it.

[TheBigT]

Can I ask if you made a jig to build the trestles and if so what material you used to make the jig.  Thanks

[Frank53]

Can I ask if you made a jig to build the trestles and if so what material you used to make the jig.  Thanks

I made one unit and then banged nails into my workbench as guides for teh balance. Making a good jig that won't vary is a huge help:

[TheBigT]

Another quick question for these trestles I am building for frank53 or Jasperrock or anyone who might help.  Why use ony wood glue instead of hot glue.  Maybe a stupid question but I have been obsessed with what hot glue can do.  Is it a structural thing or just the stringy thing as to why not to use it for gluing together the trestles.  Thanks

[Anonymous]

I don't think it maters. I wasn't giving advice - just describing how I did it. 

I'm comfortable with Elmers - you're comfortable with Hot Glue. 

 

 

 

 

[TheBigT]

 

I was not critiqueing in any way.  I hope I did not offend anyone I was just asking if there is something I do not know about Hot Glue vs Wood Glue in terms of strength or workability