Would like to build this bridge in N scale

[sschnabl]

I am going to be including the CNW bridge at Merrimac over the Wisconsin River on my N scale layout.  Here is a link to a photo of the bridge.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoQ6fAclPLhYAOeOJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dmerrimac%2Brailroad%2Bbridge%26ei%3Dutf-8%26fr%3Dsfp%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D7&w=640&h=424&imgurl=farm4.staticflickr.com%2F3588%2F3320672915_efcca24a08_z.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fdavidwilson1949%2F3320672915%2F&size=96.7+KB&name=19920530+02+CNW+Merrimac%2C+WI+%7C+Flickr+-+Photo+Sharing%21&p=merrimac+railroad+bridge&oid=bc81b1d9e8ab83f668233c4fe64dabc5&fr2=&fr=sfp&tt=19920530%2B02%2BCNW%2BMerrimac%252C%2BWI%2B%257C%2BFlickr%2B-%2BPhoto%2BSharing%2521&b=0&ni=112&no=7&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11ofiosh6&sigb=138lr5qj2&sigi=11nb8qsg2&.crumb=Qun3ASakSID

Does anyone know of a kit that I could use to make this bridge or will I have to scratch build?  If I do have to scratch build it, any thoughts on where to get supplies?  Evergreen?  Plastruct?

Thanks,

Scott

[tomikawaTT]

I don't recall ever having seen that particular design of truss in kit or built-up form, so you might have a bit of an adventure ahead of you.  If I were planning something similar, I think i would first get as many really detailed photos as possible of deck structure, joint gussets, internal bracing and so forth.

Plastruct has a variety of shapes in a variety of sizes.  Once you've worked up a plan and have some idea of what you'll need you might contact them about a special order.

Good luck, and let the forum know how things turn out.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with a variety of bridges)

[DSchmitt]

Central Valley makes HO bridges and parts and an N scale truss bridges.  Some things in their line  might be useful to create the N scale model you desire. 

http://www.hobbylinc.com/central-valley_model_railroad_bridges

I planed, but never built,  a N scale model based on a prototype swing bridge across the Sacramento river in Sacramento CA.  I determined that many of their HO scale parts would be useable for that model.

[sschnabl]

Thanks to both of you.  It looks like I will be kitbashing or scratchbuilding this one.  I do have Kalmbach's book on bridges, maybe there is one in there that is close to what I'm trying to accomplish.  As for starting the model, I am still in the planning phases of the layout, so actual construction may be a little while down the road

Scott

[cuyama]

Although the truss pattern is pretty different, this announced NOCH bridge could be used for a reasonable stand-in, perhaps.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/528-62810

 

[sschnabl]

Cuyama,

Very interesting indeed.  I will need to keep my eyes open for when this is available

Thanks,

Scott

[dknelson]

That old classic is indeed an unusual bridge and quite possibly scratchbuilding will be called for.  This could be a case where the time spent building a jig that outlines the pieces and the angle(s) they meet at, with a "Chopper" or similar tool set for the repetitive lenths and angles you need, is time well invested.  You want that sense of extreme regular repetitiveness.  If even one segment differs it will stick out like a sore thumb.

But I have found that often you can create a convincing model just by capturing the sense of complexity involved.  You may want to explore the various forms of truss pieces that Plastruct offers --- in varying sizes and thus not really "N" or "HO" or any other scale.  Not all hobby shops carry their complete line and I have found the Plastruct catalog to be a useful supplement to my Walthers catalog when starting a project.  They have both Warren and Pratt style trusses and again an exact model needs something other than the plastruct pieces, but they might convey the notion of that bridge perhaps with pieces back to back to create the "X" look of the prototype, 

Slightly OT but in addition to the Plastruct catalog being a good investment (and Dean Freytag's Cyclopedia of Industrial Modeling an almost essential supplement), the best $15 I ever spent on the hobby was when a LHS was moving and sold their large Plastruct point of purchase display complete with all the ABS and styrene plastic parts and shapes that were part of it.  i am still building stuff off that purchase!

Dave Nelson 

 

[R. T. POTEET]

You do have your work cut out for you.

Oneuponcatimewhentheworldwasveryyoung a German manufacturer -- Rapido keeps coming to mind -- used to manufacture a box bridge structure. This was admittedly of a European design but it would, perhaps, be of use to you.

Can't give you any insight as to whether this might still be available or not.