Has anyone compared the two? Easy of build, fit and finish, details?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Central Valley instructions - make conponets and build.
http://www.cvmw.com/video-instructions.htm
Walthers bridge much easier to build.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
I've only built one of them, a Central Valley model.
This was not an easy kit. All of the girders had to be built up and then cut to size. I did a lot of things differently from the instructions, because I thought the "official" way of doing them was awkward. I like the final result, but it was not easy. Because of the many thin parts, the bridge seems kind of fragile although I've had no trouble with it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
DSchmittCentral Valley instructions - make conponets and build. http://www.cvmw.com/video-instructions.htm
I'll check that out. I've seen a couple CV bridges, and they look great. All I have to go on is the picture of the Walthers bridge. There are youtube vids of the construction, but the one's I've seen don't compare the two.
The Central Valley bridge is MUCH harder to build, but it is one of the most beautiful models you can have.
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It is great they are both available. You can have it either way, whichever suits your fancy. The Walthers bridge gets you up and running quickly, while Central Valley builds into a show piece.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I can't compare but I built the CV bridge and glad I did. It took some patience and certainly some time. I'd say if not retired you might not like the time requirement. I'd do it again.
IMG_4847 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Well, I have built 2 of the CV Pratt Truss bridges. They make the finest looking bridge on the market. They aren't a "shake the box" kit and do take some time and finesse but the results are well worth the time and effort. They aren't difficult but there are many parts and many need to be cut to fit. One really nice feature is the main bridge structure is removable so you can clean the track.
Walthers stuff is much easier to assemble. I haven't seen any of their new bridge line as yet but all the stuff from their Cornerstone Series of kits fits well and has decent detail. I don't know if this series is in the Cornerstone series but I haven't seen anything by them that wasn't a good product. Not on the level of the CV bridges but more than adequate.
I guess it gets down to do you have time to spend? Do you prefer better detail? Is it going to be in the foreground or back farther in the layout?
Good luck with your decision and building.
Roger Huber
Deer Creek Locomotive Works
I've assembled both. They represent different prototypes.
The CVT kit is an older style pin-connected design. It's a craftsman kit that requires cutting and fitting parts based on plan drawings so fit and fish will depend more on your modeling skill. It represents a lighter duty structure than the Walthers model.
The Walthers bridge is a relatively simple kit with fewer parts. It's a later prototype with riveted gussets instead of pin connections. Details are fewer and coarser than the CVT kit.
Rob Spangler
Watched several youtube videos on the double and single Walthers bridges. I was not impressed by the detail. I won't link to the videos as I am seriously seasick from the cameras moving back and forth and left to right. The builders weren't that good either and heavy handed with the glue.
The Walthers double truss uses pieces that span the whole length of the bridge. The single is divide in halves in the middle of the bridge. Two different builders complained about the Walthers instructions.
CV has a whole bunch of videos. Each are only a couple minutes long, but the camera isn't jumping all over the place. https://www.youtube.com/user/Pop93444/videos
I think I will go with CV.
What are the earliest time frames the two models represent?
The has 3 different models
Pratt Truss #1902
Punchplate girders #1905
Gusseted girders #1906
I have not been able to visually identify the architectural differences in the pics on Ebay. It's hard to tell, but the date is at the top header of the bridge. For sure the 1902 is 1902, I am not sure of the dates on the other models.
The CVM #1902 is modelled after a SP standard bridge from 1901, especially the bridge in Piru, CA.
The model with battened compression members fits into the same time frame. I found a highway bridge with battens built in 1896.
I can only join those who say that it is much more difficult to build the Central Valley truss bridge. It is more like scratchbuilding where wood or styrene bars are supplemented by truss members that have to be assembled. But it is worth the effort.Regards, Volker
Third option - I picked up a Campbell through truss kit on ebay. Looks like it will be fun, definitely not a novice kit.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.