Suggestions for forms/materials for bridge pedastals.
Your mention of "forms" is confusing the question. Are you looking for information on pedestals, which support the ends of the bridge and are for expansion purposes, or are you asking about piers or abutments?
The usual term for the devices that support the bridge girders on abutments and piers is, bridge shoes. Usually, for a two-span bridge, the shoes at the abutments are the type that will allow for motion. On the central pier the bridge will usually rest on a flat steel plate.
Multi-span bridges will have compensating shoes at one end of each span - usually the same end for all spans.
Note that the above is for steel bridges. I don't know how wood trusses (obsolete since the late 19th century) dealt with the problem. My one bridge that isn't steel is a concrete arch assembled, with its abutments, as a monolithic casting.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with lots of oxide red steel bridges)
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Welcome to the forums.
One of the clubs that sponsors an annual show that I go to has a layout with a number of piers and abutments made from insulating foam (pink or blue). Cutting with a fine saw, knife or hot wire tool will give you the shape you want. For concrete, just paint it with an appropriate color and scribe in a few form lines if desired. Theirs are models of stone piers. To get the appearance of stone (or blocks), they just drew in the lines with a ball point pen, but perssed hard enough to press into the foam. Color as desired. Simple, uses up some of those smaller chunks of foam that are left from larger projects.
If you don't have foam around, check a construction site. Very often hunks laying around being thrown away. I have gotten quite a bit of useful foam that way. Just be sure to ask, so you don't get pinched for trespassing.
Good luck,
Richard
Since I am always trying to save money I buy one Chooch pedastal or tunnel entrance and make a mold of it. Then I can pour and finish as many extras as I need. I do not sell these as that would be illegal but for my own use I think I am OK. I am partial to the cut rock varieties and my molds preserve the detail very well.
The pier on the right in this photo is made out of pink foam.
I used a styrene I-Beam to form the brick lines although you can use just about anything. Pens, pencils, wide chisels, piano wire, an old wooden ruler that has the metal edge in it. Just get creative.
The cost of making this pier is what ever a scrap piece of foam and a little paint cost. I usually do tedious jobs like this while watching the hockey game, so I don't even notice I am doing it.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
If you mean bridge shoes then the Walthers catalog shows nicely detailed castings from Micro Engineering and Durango Press. The M-E shoes are a nice size.
The bridge shoes are what hold the bridge beams onto the abutment itself and allow for movement due to expansion etc.
Not shown in the Walthers catalog, but simply gorgeous brass castings, are the bridge shoes from Greenway Products. I know Greenway has had some issues due to the health of its owner but its website indicates shipping should start again soon. Their castings are for a rather significantly large bridge and for most purposes the Micro Engineering shoes were what I needed.
Dave Nelson
Flagman46,
To The Forums.
A whole bunch of info of bridge, abutments, piers and shoes, wood, steel and concrete:
http://www.in.gov/indot/files/bridge_chapter_01.pdf
Frank
I have just discovered a cheap alternative ...
Use any foam to create the firm you need. Then coat it with SmoothIt (Woodland Scenics road product). It comes out very concrete when painted with a concrete grey (also WS).
I made a tunnel portal this way and saved me $10. I am now making a concrete bridge retaining wall.