http://forgotten-ny.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/csxtrestle.jpg
This bridge is at Fresh Pond rail yard in NY. What type of bridge is this and where can I find it for HO scale? From all the pics it's a double rail bridge. Thank you!
Well, you pretty much ID'ed it yourself as a Double Track Through Truss Bridge, of which there are several in the HO market, the most well-known being Walthers...HOWEVER, that bridge kit (and that of Atlas and Kato) are not "arched", but instead have a flat top profile - a closer match IMO would be the Walthers Double Track Swing Bridge (with some kitbashing to remove the control shed and modify the bottom girders, among other things of course). I think other firms make arched top chord truss bridges, but their offerings may be too rounded for your taste.
That bridge is taking the (freight main) line from Hell Gate Bridge down to Fresh Pond Junction, and was part of the NY Connecting RR back in the day (may still be called that).
It's a Pennsylvania truss. Shockingly, no one makes a kit of such a thing despite their being literally thousands of them all over the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Great Lakes regions.
In addition to the side view, Googling FRESH POND BRIDGE #35 will provide you with a square-to-the-end view, and there are plenty of clues to dimensions.
Time to lay in some plastic structural shapes, some flat plastic for gussets and some rivet transfers. It looks to me like a very straightforward scratchbuilding project.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - lots of bridges, no Pennsylvania trusses)
Robkoz,
This one looks very,similar,but it's only single track:
http://www.amazon.com/Code-Through-Truss-Bridge-Silver/dp/B000JHF8RE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_t_5
Maybe kit bash two?
Cheers,
Frank
I don't know about recent availability but at one time traincat had a few truss bridges available. Might be worth a look? Check out the double track Parker Truss! Looks close to the type you seek.
http://www.traincat2.com/
Take care, Ed
I've been looking at options for a really nice HO 2-track thru-truss bridge for months now, about 150-175 scale ft would be perfect. Even willing to spend money for brass (well, maybe not silly money) since it will be the focal point of the next phase of my layout. Plenty of 1-track bridges out there but options are extremely limited if looking for 2- tracks.
Traincat seems to be focusing on N scale. I sent an email weeks ago to find out if he ever plans to tool up for the HO version of the truss bridge again since it is still shown on the Traincat and TexNrails websites. I never got a response.
Best option I've found so far is here and the camelback design is similar to the bridge you are referring to. Anyone out there build one of these or purchase anything from Micro-Scale?
http://micro-scale.com/product/ho-147-two-track-steel-truss-bridge-kit/
Huntington Junction - Freelance based on the B&O and C&O in coal country before the merger... doing it my way. Now working on phase 3. - Walt
For photos and more: http://www.wkhobbies.com/model-railroad/
Hobbyguy,
Did you happen to check out the thread,''Main Line Rework'' by Motley, General Discussions, he has a double track bridge, from Faller, I believe that is really good looking and they have a few more.
HObbyguy I've been looking at options for a really nice HO 2-track thru-truss bridge for months now
I've been looking at options for a really nice HO 2-track thru-truss bridge for months now
What about the Walthers two-track truss bridge?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-3012
Rich
Alton Junction
Motley's bridge is single track, and the Volmer double track bridge is much too short. The Walthers bridge is also too short for my purpose- I really need at least 20" unsupported span. And my skills at making anything plastic look very good are really lacking so I avoid plastic structures wherever possible. Though if I found a plastic kit that fit my needs and no other good options I would bite the bullet and dive in.
The Traincat 2-track bridge would have been about perfect. I've been really hoping that it would pop up as being available again. And the bridge in my link would work. Just not so sure how easy it would be to make wood look like metal.
Oh well, not in a terrible rush just yet. Still have months to go on the section I am working on before starting bench work for the next.
HObbyguy Motley's bridge is single track, and the Volmer double track bridge is much too short. The Walthers bridge is also too short for my purpose- I really need at least 20" unsupported span. And my skills at making anything plastic look very good are really lacking so I avoid plastic structures wherever possible. Though if I found a plastic kit that fit my needs and no other good options I would bite the bullet and dive in.
I have two of the Walthers two-track truss bridges end-to-end, supported by a center pier.
If you need a 20" unsupported span, you could buy two of the Walthers kits and kitbash the 20" unsupported span.
Yes kit-bashing is always an option- I could also widen the 150' Central Valley kit to make it 2-track. I kit-bashed my two small ME plate girder bridges to get them to the right length and fit the curves. But even after reading all sorts of tips/hints on the net I really struggle with plastic and would hesitate to try doing this for something that will be a focal point. Funny because I am very comfortable with stuff that others find difficult such as hand-carving plaster and scratch building with wood. I guess we all have strengths and weaknesses.
Next plastic kit project that I do I am going to start a thread "how to build with plastic and paint/finish it so that it really looks good"
Didn't mean to hijack the thread but hopefully Robkoz is finding the discussion useful.
In my experience, it is easier to lenghten the bridge than to convert a 1-track to 2-track.
I would encourage you to take a shot at lengthening the Walthers 2-track truss bridge.
A good jeweler's saw with extra fine blades will make seamless cuts, and paint will hide any imperfections.
That would be my approach as well. Two Walthers 2-track truss bridge's,with the ends,cut off and butted,together. You could put some,Plastruct, I-BEAMS, under the deck,for added support.
Check out this company. They have some very long spans.
http://www.luetke-modellbahn.de/shop/index.php?cPath=43_117
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Brent,
Nice bridge's, but he is looking for a arched truss bridge.
Whoops! I guess they don't have this one in HO anymore.
http://www.luetke-modellbahn.de/shop/popup_image.php?pID=465
Close, but no cupie doll.
zstripeClose, but no cupie doll
It took me a while to find it but that one looks pretty good. Given the scale difference I should get 4 tracks across if I want and at 48" long I can reach halfway across that whole end of the layout. And great specs (Bing translation):
HObbyguyWonder what the roller bearings are for?
Those would be for expansion...one end of bridge is fixed, other end moves.
It's not the type of Bridge,your looking for, but check out the length:
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/fal/fal120535.htm
That would make a great scene.
Yeah that one would definitely give me the clearance that I need. But might be a bit of a problem getting it to fit on the layout.
Here's one that I think would really look good and work well- if only it were about 5" shorter... and $2000 cheaper!
If only !
Hobbyguy, buy two of those Walthers two-track truss bridges and kitbash them.
It ain't that big a deal.
This has been fun, but like I said not in a rush yet.
But bottom line, double-track truss bridge options for HO scale really are limited for some reason.
I found the same problem for really nice coal mine kits. Seems like there should be plenty of them out there but I searched around for a long while before finding that BTS had a couple designs that were direct order only. Snatched one of those before it got away, even though the box will likely sit on the shelf for a year before I get to it.
Rich,
Not yet! I think,he is having fun, finding Bridges.
That sure is one,great looking bridge. If I was able to have one, I would not, even paint it.
zstripeNot yet! I think,he is having fun, finding Bridges.
You are getting me figured out. Yes the hunt for the perfect, rare and sometimes one-of-a-kind part is always great fun. This has been a challenging one, almost as tough as original mint 69 GTO fenders... oops, different hobby (but licked that challenge!)
I've learned to start the hunt early, and that persistence often pays off
Thanks for all the help guys. It's a shame no one has this bridge. I'll have to settle for something close.
How about the Marklin bridge?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/441-7263
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/441-56291
Or, Kibri:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/405-9696
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/405-9700
Robkoz, glad we didn't lose you.
There are quite a few good single-track options. But from your initial post it sounded like you are also looking for double track bridge? Agree its a shame especially since it is such a classic design.
Don't overestimate the complexity of a bridge like that. Scratchbuilding one is more straightforward than you might think.
Basically, make two of these:
Then tie the two sides together with beams at the various joints in the top and bottom. There's the beams that the track rests on...and that's all. Its a lot of triangles and rectangles.