Bridges

[Woofda]

How do you build yours? What parts do you use? I looked for Micro Engineering and Central Valley Bridges Kits and havent seen them in a while are they still making models? I live in Chicago and we have a assortment of fantastic bridges. I have to model one or else my model wouldn't be complete. 

[PA&ERR]

The bridge in my Avatar (and below) was kitbashed from a Walthers Single Track Truss bridge kit. I removed the two middle panels with a razor saw and used some wood ties I just happened to have handy.

My car float transfer bridge is scratchbuilt out of stripwood, styrene. I used flex track for the trackage.

-George

[twhite]

Well, I'm known as 'Bridge-Tom' by several people on this forum, mainly because I have about 15 on my layout.  Most of them are kit-bashed from Atlas, Walthers, Central Valley and ME kits, but I have a HUGE one from Faller (a German prototype, slightly Americanized) and one from Jeouf (a French arch-bridge, again, Americanized).  I might suggest that you check the Walther's catalogue--except for possibly the Atlas and ME bridges, I think that they distribute most brands, including Central Valley.  I know that the ME bridges are still available--at least I've seen their kits in both of myh LHS's.  And Atlas has turned out several new models that should be very readily available.

But the Walthers catalogue has a TON of kits for bridge-builders.

Tom  

[Grampys Trains]

Hi Woofda: I only have 5 bridges on my layout. They are all different. The first one is my version of a classic Pennsy double arch stone bridge.     The next one is an ME steel tower with ME girders.    The next one is a Walthers truss.     The upper bridge is an Atlas Truss and the lower bridge is ME ballasted deck bridge.    .

[loathar]

These are Atlas bridges. This one is 2 plate girders, using only the sides cut off the decking and spliced to fit the crossing:

Would you happen to have a picture looking down on the tracks of those plate girder bridges? That loco looks like it's sitting up real high. I'd be curious to see how you finished the inside of the bridge.

[markpierce]

In my opinion, most layouts suffer from a lack of "little bridges" which are not much more than open culverts, as well as an absence of culverts.  They should exceed by many-fold bridges 30-feet long or longer.

Mark

[twhite]

Woofda--

Here's a few of mine--my Yuba River Sub is a mountain railroad (Sierra Nevada) so it has its share of fairly big bridges. 

The Deer Creek Viaduct, 2 ME tall viaduct kits combined on a 34" radius curve:

The Bullard's Bar bridge, kit-bashed from a Faller Beichstahl kit:

The Malakoff Dry Diggings bridge, from two Walther's single-track through truss kits:

The twin bridges over Dark Canyon and Turner Canyon on Yuba Pass:

Tom

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

I really like all the bridges posted already on this thread.

By now, many of you may have seen my photos of my double track bridge over the Mrs. Hippy River.

It has typical Midwest bridge construction with multiple truss spans. The entire length is four feet. It has homemade oak ties with handlaid rail. The piers and abutments are mdde mostly from 1/4" plywood.

[shawnee]

Walthers does carry all the bridge manufacturers, certainly ME...bought my deck girder brudge there.

I have a bridge question that may fit appropriately here.  I'm looking to construct a short stone arch bridge crossing a smalll stream.  I have a couple of Chooch cut stone portals leftover...was thinking of painting them and cutting them off in half and using the top (arch) half as a stone arch bridge face.  Does this make sense - is the arch of a stone bridge essentially the same as that of a tunnel portal? 

Sure would save me some time and bucks.  Anyone have ideas or experience in producing a short stone or concrete arch bridge?  Not a lot of manufacturer models out there on it...

 

 

[Grampys Trains]

Hi shawnee: IMHO, I think that would work just fine. I'd say a stone arch is a stone arch. Here's an example of a stone portal cut down for a stream, but it could also be used for a bridge. You could use two portals with foam between them for the width you'd need.  I am adding another photo of two cut down tunnel portals used as a small bridge hiding the origin of one of my streams. I think this illustrates what you are after.   

[cwclark]

 I scratch build this bridge from balsa wood and 3/8" dowel rod. the track is hand layed using micro engineering ties and spikes...chuck

 

 

 

[shawnee]

Hi shawnee: IMHO, I think that would work just fine. I'd say a stone arch is a stone arch. Here's an example of a stone portal cut down for a stream, but it could also be used for a bridge. You could use two portals with foam between them for the width you'd need.

Grampys - that's outstanding, very nice scene.  I like the stone arch look...esp. the dated arch.  Just curious, what manufacturer was that?

yes, I think I'll cut those Chooch portals I have, they will look similiar...

Thanks!

[saronaterry]

These are Atlas bridges. This one is 2 plate girders, using only the sides cut off the decking and spliced to fit the crossing:

Would you happen to have a picture looking down on the tracks of those plate girder bridges? That loco looks like it's sitting up real high. I'd be curious to see how you finished the inside of the bridge.

Hey,loathar,the engine sits on the outside double track.Maybe that's why it looks high. All I did was run a piece of 1/8" masonite,same height as the cork roadbed ,across the river.Then I glued the Atlas bridge sides on.

Here's a single track bridge ,but the same idea:

They're supposed to be ballasted deck bridges.I've got some work to do on them yet,I guess!

Terry

 

[loathar]

Thanks Terry. I thought the track looked a bit higher than the molded on rails that come with that bridge.

[saronaterry]

In my opinion, most layouts suffer from a lack of "little bridges" which are not much more than open culverts, as well as an absence of culverts.  They should exceed by many-fold bridges 30-feet long or longer.

Mark

Mark, I heartily agree! Although this is pretty much the only pic I have of the culverts on my layout. I use 1/2' PVC pipe(thinwall),bendy straws and copper tube for culverts.Wish I had more pics but have to wait for the Son to visit!! Culverts outnumber bridges on my layout at least 3/1.

Terry

[Kenfolk]

With an n-scale layout, it is easy to get good realistic looking culverts with straws. I've done that running between double tracks at a crossing.

I grew up close to a nice trestle (walked across many times before it was removed) and always was impresssed by its size, so I guess thats  why the big bridges on layouts appeal to me. 

I recently built one for an upcoming layout expansion (if I ever get the insulation and drywall up).

 

[Grampys Trains]

Hi Mark:  I agree, you don't see many modeled.  I do have a few on my layout.              

[dragenrider]

In my opinion, most layouts suffer from a lack of "little bridges" which are not much more than open culverts, as well as an absence of culverts.  They should exceed by many-fold bridges 30-feet long or longer.

Mark

Those "little bridges" are indeed an important part of the landscape.

[markpierce]

Gramp, we are on the same "wave length."  Those are great scenes!

Mark

[markpierce]

Yeah, Dragonrider!  Smaller is better.  Big is good once in a while.

Mark

[Grampys Trains]

Hi Tom: I just had to comment on your bridge photos. They are simply outstanding, esp. the Deer Creek Viaduct and the Bullard's Bar bridge. I have some idea of how much time and patience it took to build them.  You truly are THE BRIDGE MAN!

[Grampys Trains]

Hi dragenrider: You're "little bridges" may be little, but their effect is HUGE. Nice job. A small bridge like that would probably be made from cut stone here in Pa.

[Grampys Trains]

Hi Garry: Also, a very impressive looking bridge, befitting a span across the Mrs. Hippy River.

[ARTHILL]

Tom inspired me a couple years ago. Here is my version of the Beirschtal bridge. It is modified with a lot of ME ports and the top deck was cut off. Also the trestle is visible. It was scratch build from a Walnut tree, using plans from the Kalmbach bridge book. The point is that making bridges is not hard, just VERY time consuming.

[twhite]

Hi Tom: I just had to comment on your bridge photos. They are simply outstanding, esp. the Deer Creek Viaduct and the Bullard's Bar bridge. I have some idea of how much time and patience it took to build them.  You truly are THE BRIDGE MAN!

Grampys: 

Thank you, sir.  I appreciate the compliment.  Of the two, the Deer Creek Viaduct was the Holy Terror to build--not so much the towers (once you get one done, the others go together fairly rapidly), but templating the girders to form a 34" radius.  Luckily, the instructions with the ME kit are very clear about adjusting the girders to various radii.  And then I had to fiddle with the legs on the towers, since the viaduct is also on a 2% descending grade. 

Next to that, the Faller was a pretty easy build.  However, if you want to see that Faller bridge put to SPECTACULAR use, you might take a look at what ArtHill has done with his.  I just did a little kit-bashing with mine, he has almost completely REBUILT his, and it's just a beautiful job. 

Again, thanks for the compliments.

Tom

PS:  I see that Art just posted his Beichstahl bridge, so you can see what I'm talking about.  Spectacular!!

[Grampys Trains]

Hi Art: That is quite an impressive scene. Nicely done!