Mounting A Bridge Outdoors

[Chompers]

HELP NEEDED!!! [xx(]

I finally got some new wood bridges....but I don't know how to mount the trestle bents in the ground. We were thinking of dipping the ends in tar and then placing the bents in a hole of pea gravel.
would this work[?] or should i use another method[?]



Any help would really be appreciated

Chompers [:p]

[bman36]

Hey there,
Sounds fine to me. I guess it all depends on your climate over Winter. Here frost can move a lot of things. Plan on doing some bridges myself so I'll have to wait and see what others say. Later eh...Brian.

[Chompers]

I live in rochester NY, it gets cold. 10 to 15 or even 20 below freezing.

[Anonymous]

To me this sounds a terrible and silly way to go about things, but I live in the tropics and what works in one place may not work in another.

I do all my work in like this in concrete (cement) and I concrete everything in and then use liquid naisl and nails or screws on the upper parts all to together at the same time; let it cure together and you have a rigid and square structure that will not move for years and years.

However if i were to put wood in the ground i would treat it somehow against underground life first before concreting it in.


Rgds Ian

[Chompers]

Every one out there!!!

I realy need an answer!!!!
we have a party in 2 weeks. that gives me 1 week to mount them. Also if i don't mount them and the railway is a mess for the party.... mom says she will rip the hole layout out[xx(][:O][:O][banghead][wow]

[Marty Cozad]

Philip
Jut because of time and the party , stick a brick under each. and silicone the ends to an abutment. I only have one old bridge with bents and its in cement as said above. Because wood will float up out of dirt over time.

[markperr]

I took 2" x 8" x 16" blocks that you can buy at Home depot and buried them sideways so that the 2" x 16" side is facing skyward. Mounted my trestle bents on them using liquid nails (the outdoor projects kind) and they've been fine through two Detroit winters.

Good luck

Mark

[ghelman]

Chomper, I like Marty's idea. I have used bricks to support both ends of my bridges permantly. Of course, my bridge is short and the tressles don't provide real support anyway. Sometimes ths KISS theory is best.

[vsmith]

I agree with Marty, get it up and running, even if only temporary, then after your party you can go into the longer term issues like building wood or concrete abutments.

[Chompers]

Kiss oh you meen....Keep It Simple Stupid [D)]

I have abutments, but i need to support a three foot long span w/ out supports underneth. my bridge is like this trestle-bridge-trestle.

Concreet blocks ok

[ghelman]

Chompers,

Sorry if I offended you. Not intentional at all.

[Chompers]

ghelman,

Non Taken [8D][8D][8D][8D]

I kind of laughed.

I said put bricks under the end, but parents say "not for the party" they want bents [%-)]

[markn]

Chompers-did you figure it out or get an answer-if so Good Luck-if not clarify a couple of things. You said trestle-bridge-trestle, right? I assume you have a say 6 feet gulch- 18 inch trestle(bents every 3") -3 ft clear span bridge-18 inch trestle and you need to mount the trestle bents-right?

[Pagardener]

IMHO .. Marks solution sounds the best. If you use concrete you have to get below the frost line. I am glad Mark posted as I am building a trestle which is 24" high and going across a natural gorge that is 15' long. I have lots of those blocks from a pathway I dismantled and that is how I will support the bents. Good luck

[Chompers]

hello everyone and thanks for the great advice. This is chompers Mom! please don't think we are as looney as my son makes us sound. Dad wants bents mom thinks the brick idea sounds just great! We're going for it. (I have the last word)[^] Been living with a construction zone in the back for 3 yrs. and real sick of it. Philip will let anyone who cares know what happens; ripped out or running!

[Anonymous]

Chompers Mom, If the RR has kept your son's intrest for 3 yrs don't nix it. Keep in mind there never done and always growing track or plant wise.

Could be worse he could be investing his $ on dope.

[Chompers]

Hey!!!
my trains have held my intrest for 10 years

[Anonymous]

Correction 10 years. Sorry.

[Chompers]

Well since i didn't get them mounted temperarily, how should i mount them permanently.

[Anonymous]

I would not do this at all, what about just showing your bridges and getting opinions as to where they should go and how; you never knw all your guests may put the bridges in place for you and you can charge to them to do so, remember Tom Sawyer!


Rgds ian

PS mounting bridges is easy and I have already done several, mainly conncrete this is what real men have their bridges made of. A spirit evel is essential.