Trestle Bents Jig

[Steam1800's]

Has anyone got a plan or idea on hoe to build a Trestle Bent Jig? Also, I'd like to build a double main line and a three foot bridge that kind of fits in with the trestle design. Any ideas or standard size for the wood to be used? Allen

[FJ and G]

I'd get me some drywall screws and a sheet of scrapwood. Arrange the bent how you want and add the screws. You can always move the screws around.

[Rastun]

Allen,

First I'd start off by deciding what trestles you want to build. This Website Tells about how the RGS trestles where made and this is what I used for the begining of my jig. I decided I would go with a curved trestle bent design instead of switching back and forth all the time. There is a difference in the angles of the outer posts depending on if it was a bent made for a straight trestle or a cruved one. Since my line at the moment looks like this:

I want to fill in under the road bed and somewhat hide the white pipes.

I converted the sizes from the above website to the scale I'm using then on a piece of plywood I drew out the design of the bents. Having some lumber cut to the sizes I wanted to use I laid them into place on the drawing. I then took small pieces of wood and glued them to the board along the sides of the lumber in the drawing. This will ensure that all the pieces line up in the same spots and the same angle. I made my jig so it would hold the tallest trestle I would need to build any other trestles can be cut off at thier needed length. Here is a picture of the jig:

I hope thats of some help to you.

Jack 

[Anonymous]

Jack mate that looks absolutely terrific well done.

I refer to the book i have and it will tell you sa lot about trestles and bents, if you are interested i will look up its name. It is a wonderful book all about bridges etc and i have got some very good ideas out of it, even though i don't use trestles.

Rgds ian

[Steam1800's]

Rastun,

By the experience all you fellows is unbelievable as well as the sharing of designs and ideas!  Yes, once again your knowledge has been helpful.  Thank you!  I am trying to amass all the info I can so I can start my ambitious project this spring.  That is if "Mother Nature" would quit dropping all of this dang white stuff all over the place!

Allen

[Steam1800's]

Ian,

By all means, yes let me know the title and author of that book!  Thanks ah "Mate!"

Allen

[Anonymous]

Orrite mate here it is, Its a Kalmbach book "Model Railroad Bridges and Trestles" it doesn't seem to have an author or none that will own up to it. A lot of the stuff in there is written by a bloke called Harold Russell and boy does he know his onions. The bit about trestles etc is on page 30.

Rgds Ian

[Steam1800's]

Thanks again Ian,

I'll be on the lookout at my nearest hobby store for the book.

Allen

[kimbrit]

thanks for that Ian, just ordered it.

Kim

[xpilot901]

I made a jig out of a sheet of plywood with small blocks of wood glued and nailed to it. I made mine around 50 scale feet tall so I can make any size I want and the angles stay the same. Here is a link to a web site I found helpful on trestles.  

   http://members.cox.net/sn3nut/trestles%20part%201.htm

[dwbeckett]

That was a site I  printed most of the pictures. I now am going to add a curved trestle to the DNRR. thanks for all the info. deffinatly will be able to use some of my power tools that have been gathering dust for the past few years.

[Rastun]

That was a site I  printed most of the pictures. I now am going to add a curved trestle to the DNRR. thanks for all the info. deffinatly will be able to use some of my power tools that have been gathering dust for the past few years.

It must be a good website two of us linked to it

Jack