A few years ago, I bought and built the Walthers Bascule Bridge and placed it out a lift out section on my layout.
More recently, I built a second bascule bridge, redesigned the lift out to accommodate the second bridge, and placed the new lift out section on my layout.
Initially, the bridges were operational, but I have decided to keep them in fixed positions on my layout because of the difficulties involved in keeping them operational on a lift out section.
Adding to the complexity, each track over the bridge is its own reversing section as it spans the aisle and folds back onto itself.
In the photos that follow, the watchman's house sits aside the bridges. In addition, I added a small shack on the lift out section to represent a tender bridge house. When the lift out makes contact with the power plates on the edges of the layout, the tender bridge house lights up. I use this light to verify contact with the power source. There are two Digitrax AR-1 auto reverse units inside the lift out, one for each reversing section. I maybe could have gotten away with one larger reversing section for both tracks, but I installed two to avoid conflicts with trains entering and exiting the two tracks at the same time.
My current layout is a freelance effort that somewhat resembles Dearborn Station in downtown Chicago. On the prototype, the double bascule bridge crosses the south branch of the Chicago River at 16th Street, just south of Dearborn Station. Today, the bascule bridge on the south side of the crossing is still operational, carrying trains over the river on the St. Charles Air Line (SCAL). The bascule bridge on the north side of the crossing is now fixed in an upright position and no longer carries rail traffic over the river. At one time, the BOCT owned and operated that bridge.
Rich
Alton Junction
Rich,
Very impressive work on the bridges. And thanks for the history lesson about Chicago. There is always some new to learn about. Keep on sharing.
Wilton.
Very nicely-done, Rich.
Wayne
Looks good,,, I hope my eyes,or memory,is not deceiving me,,, But aren't the Bascule Bridges,in Chicago,opposing one another??
Inquiring minds what to know,,,,,
Frank
Those bridges are beautiful looking. I rarely see anyone's layout with Bascule Bridges. They are a sight to see. When I went to visit Rich last summer, we drove downtown Chicago to see those bridges, it was awesome looking.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Looking good, Rich!
Stu
Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!
zstripe Rich, Looks good,,, I hope my eyes,or memory,is not deceiving me,,, But aren't the Bascule Bridges,in Chicago,opposing one another?? Inquiring minds what to know,,,,, Frank
Frank, the two bascule bridges at 16th Street sit side by side and both lift from the same direction. The lift mechanisms are on the west bank, and the bridges are lifted up from the east bank.
richhotrain zstripe Rich, Looks good,,, I hope my eyes,or memory,is not deceiving me,,, But aren't the Bascule Bridges,in Chicago,opposing one another?? Inquiring minds what to know,,,,, Frank Frank, the two bascule bridges at 16th Street sit side by side and both lift from the same direction. The lift mechanisms are on the west bank, and the bridges are lifted up from the east bank. Rich
I was thinking of the Bascule Bridges, on 12th street, they are double track,and they face one another..
Cheers,
zstripe Rich, I was thinking of the Bascule Bridges, on 12th street, they are double track,and they face one another.. Frank
Frank, that is right. The double bascule bridge at 12th Street, is a vehicular bridge that lifts from both ends and is raised in the middle.
The interesting feature of the bascule bridges at 18th Street is that each one is a double track bascule bridge. My Walthers Cornerstone Bascule Bridges are single track bridges. Unfortunately, there are no HO scale double track bascule bridges to my knowledge.
There is an example of two railroad bascule bridges that open on opposite banks of the river in Chicago. Those bridges are the old C&A bridges at Ashland Avenue on the south fork of the south branch of the Chicago River. Each bridge is a double track bridge.
If you really want to see some magnificent bascule bridge arrangements, there are four alternating, side-by-side double track bascule bridges that span the Sanitary and Ship Canal carrying a total of eight tracks. Two bridges lift from each bank. Technically, they are really rolling lift bridges, but they are classified as bascule bridges.
As a Chicago boy (1944 - 1968), I know the bascule bridges quite well. Richhotrain has done an outstanding job of building and setting them up. Great piece of modeling work for sure!!!
The only thing missing is a couple of cat sized river rats............
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Nice Rich, those things look massive!!
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Rich.
Those bridges are very cool. A spectacular centre piece to your layout. I do have one complaint though. I may have to report it to the Mod's if something is not done about it.
Every time I see that tug under the bridge it is guaranteed to give me a "dream shattered sleep" later that night. You see as soon as I drift off for the night after seeing that photo, I am immediately drawn into a Stephen King novel. You know the one he hasn't written yet, where the crew of a Tugboat are stuck on all that is left of the ocean or maybe the whole planet! Yes, just one little sliver of sea! To stop from falling off the edge of the earth they fight the currents, the winds and whatever else old Stephen can throw at them. Exhausted to the point of collapse they eventually run out of fuel and take the plunge.
Because I will now be completely exhausted when I wake up tomorrow from trying to save myself and a couple of fellow forum members that are crew mates in my dream, I may be grumpier than usual, so WATCHOUT!
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
mobilman44 As a Chicago boy (1944 - 1968), I know the bascule bridges quite well. Richhotrain has done an outstanding job of building and setting them up. Great piece of modeling work for sure!!! The only thing missing is a couple of cat sized river rats............ Mobilman44
Mobilman44,
Yeah,, The old coot, did a great job on the Bridges,,, As a diehard,Chgo,guy, (1943, still,) I can attest,to the ''CAT'S'',,,,,
Sorry, for the double quote,,,,, I BELIEVE my fingers, havn't woke up yet....
I'm impressed. Are the bridges still "sort of" operational? I'd like to see a picture with them raised.
I think you've added something to my retirement layout bucket list.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Rich, nice looking bridges. When i finaly get to build my version of chicago i will have a bascule bridge. I wish i found a second bridge at a decent price but one will do for now. My layout is on hold for now, just when i started to build it i got water in the basement and now landscaping is a higher priority than the layout.
Geared Steam Nice Rich, those things look massive!!
Thanks, GS, the length of the entire bridge is just over 33 inches, and it stands 11 inches high.
On the lift out section, those two bridges, plus the wood framing, means that it is heavy to lift and place.
Brent,
Thanks for nothing!
Now that you gone and filed a complaint with the moderators, I am being disciplined and told to shoot another photo without the tug.
Well, I will do that in my own good time. LOL
Incidentally, that is the N scale version of the tug, but it still looks as if it is about to go over the edge.
justinjhnsn3 Rich, nice looking bridges. When i finaly get to build my version of chicago i will have a bascule bridge. I wish i found a second bridge at a decent price but one will do for now. My layout is on hold for now, just when i started to build it i got water in the basement and now landscaping is a higher priority than the layout.
Justin,
Walthers has considered re-releasing the Bascule Bridge, as they have indicated to me. Unfortunately, they have not yet done so, but there is always hope.
MisterBeasley I'm impressed. Are the bridges still "sort of" operational? I'd like to see a picture with them raised. I think you've added something to my retirement layout bucket list.
Thanks, Mr. B.
I had considered shooting some photos of the bridges in raised position but, obviously didn't do so.
The bridges are operational. I could hook them up to a pair of 6V batteries as the wiring is in place, but the way that I have installed the track work, it would require some modification. I can lift the bridges manually.
If the question for a photo had come from a lesser forum member, I would ignore it. But, I am unable to decline a request from you, so I will do it sometime this weekend.
Anyone, interested????
I did a little surfing,earlier and found a Walters, Bascule Bridge,offered by a Advance Model Railroad and Supply,,stating that they have one in stock.. Their price, as listed was, 799.95,,, NO KIDDING.
Rich, I sent You a E-MAIL about it,,, unbelievable!!!!!
zstripe Anyone, interested???? I did a little surfing,earlier and found a Walters, Bascule Bridge,offered by a Advance Model Railroad and Supply,,stating that they have one in stock.. Their price, as listed was, 799.95,,, NO KIDDING.
Thanks, Frank.
I have seen them on eBay in the past with some sellers asking as much as $600.
There is a new one on eBay right now for $195 Buy It Now.
While that seems outlandish, a price under $200 is not bad, as this kit gets harder to find with the passage of time.
Maybe, I should sell mine instead of putting on the layout,,,LOL..
RTR AND WEATHERED
Frank, are you saying that you have already built it and weathered it?
Post a photo.
You could sell it, but if it is assembled, it might be kinda hard to ship.
richhotrain Frank, are you saying that you have already built it and weathered it? Post a photo. You could sell it, but if it is assembled, it might be kinda hard to ship. Rich
Yes, I have it,all built and weathered,the switch,control, building has a interior,with figures. All I have to do, is take it out of the box I put it in,connect a 6volt lantern batt. and let her rip.. I put it away,5years ago and concentrated on the swing-bridge i have.. That's why when you had your Bascule Bridge I new so much about it,,, Pics will be forth coming shortly,,,
richhotrain Walthers has considered re-releasing the Bascule Bridge, as they have indicated to me. Unfortunately, they have not yet done so, but there is always hope.
Have faith. The carfloat and carfloat apron kits just appeared in stock at Walthers this week. This is the second production run after the kits were retired. Perhaps this thread will goad Walthers into action.
And thanks for the promised photos, Rich. I think bridges and trestles of all kinds are about the most interesting things to do with track.
Richhotrain,
Great modeling work. That they are operational is a further complement. Either MR or ATLAS forum had a thread on the construction of these that deals with making them operational and the difficulty in doing so with this kit.
Are these visible from I-55 going from Midway Airport (50th St) to downtown? There are a lot of bridges there and these look very familiar.
The model is large and when you get a chance could you post a picture with a locomotive on it?
Thanks for sharing this.
Chris
Chris,
You would have a better chance, of seeing the Bridges,if you got on 94 north bound,from I55 and look off to your right.....
zstripe Chris, You would have a better chance, of seeing the Bridges,if you got on 94 north bound,from I55 and look off to your right..... Cheers, Frank
Frank is right. Travelling east bound on I-55 does not provide the best view of the bridges. One of the best views is on 18th Street between Canal Street and Clark Street.
Here is a photo that I took off Google Maps, looking north from the 18th Street vehicle bridge.
RDG1519 Richhotrain, Great modeling work. That they are operational is a further complement. Either MR or ATLAS forum had a thread on the construction of these that deals with making them operational and the difficulty in doing so with this kit. Are these visible from I-55 going from Midway Airport (50th St) to downtown? There are a lot of bridges there and these look very familiar. The model is large and when you get a chance could you post a picture with a locomotive on it? Thanks for sharing this. Chris
Thanks Chris,
Digital Griffin deserves the lion's share of the credit for the operating capability of the bridges. He provided me with a lot of help and advice on the wiring aspects of the circuitry needed to work the bridges.
I will take some photos over the weekend of some trains crossing the bridges.