Can someone suggest a double track truss bridge?

[electrolove]

Can someone suggest a nice double track truss bridge in HO scale from the time around 1950, 60, 70?

This bridge will go from one Woodland Scenics incline to another, over a yard with four tracks. How do I attach the bridge to the inclines?

[GN-Rick]

Electro, have a look in the Walther's online catalog.
Look for item #3012-it is a 15 inch long double track truss
bridge. Maybe it will do for you what you need.
Hope this helps.

[electrolove]

Looks pretty nice to me, thanks.



If someone have this bridge, please post a picture or two on the forum.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-3012

[twhite]

Electrolove: I have the bridge on my Yuba River Sub, and it's a dandy. However, I don't use it as a double-track truss, rather as a single-track-on-a-curve truss, somewhat like a bridge I've seen on the Chesapeake and Ohio. As to attaching it to the inclines, Walthers also makes abutments for the bridge that you can attach to the inclines, then just set the bridge in. It's pretty simple. Anyway, here's a shot of it in use on my layout. It might not be that clear, the bridge is in a place that is tricky to photograph.
Tom [:D]

[twhite]

As a P.S.: You might also check AggroJones' website--as I recall, he has one on his layout, also, spanning an overcrossing.
Tom [:D]

[electrolove]

twhite:

The bridge looks really nice on your layout. Thanks a lot for posting the picture. I will look at Aggro's pictures as well. Gotta have one [:D]

[Anonymous]

electrolove- So you know that bridge was on back order but it seems to be in now. I expect to have mine by friday. which leads to

twhite- How easy was the bridge to put together. Any thing I should know before i should start building. This will be my first major bridge project. Thanks

Andrew

[electrolove]

george745:

Cool, maybe you can post some pictures when building it? For others to learn from. Just a suggestion.

[scotttmason]

The Walthers model is easy to assemble using Testors glue for structural areas (hidden between girders) and CA for flowing down long seams. The problem I found was a limit to the detailing. Prototypes nearby have heaps of latice work between the girders and this was missing from the kit. I found by using Central Valley box girders (bulk pack, come in two halves) and carefully cutting away the latice work, I could then place the latice on the Walthers kit to get a very nice box girder on all the vertical members. Large X latice fit the big trusses, smaller trusses use the VV pattern. I'll see if I can get a snap posted to show final effect. Oh, make sure to get all the parts aligned as this is a big structure when finished!

[ClinchValleySD40]

Good bridge, easy to build. Good you are in that era. If you were current with double stacks, you'd have some modifications to do (low clearance).

[Anonymous]

electrolove- i would be happy to take pictures of the building process.

[markpierce]

While taking more width, you might want to consider two single-track bridges. This could represent a line that was initially single track but was later double-tracked. Since such a prototype would probably have decades between the installation of the two bridges, they should be of different styles to reflect advances in bridge technology.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by markpierce

While taking more width, you might want to consider two single-track bridges. This could represent a line that was initially single track but was later double-tracked. Since such a prototype would probably have decades between the installation of the two bridges, they should be of different styles to reflect advances in bridge technology.

This is also the more prototypical way of building bridges. If you have to work on the bridge and it's a doublle track bridge, you've got to shut it down. If you've got 2 bridges, you're O.K. Plus, it can be cheaper to build two narrow bridges than to build one wide one when you take into account the weight you must carry.

I've got a 22" bridge to build for a curve. I'll be copying a warren truss bridge design in wood in maybe 6 months. Still laying down the track. Right now the bridge is represented by a piece of OSB.

Mark in Utah

[markpierce]

Have some interesting information of cost of double versus single track I got from the 1917 The Design of Railway Locations (a study of the physical and economic conditions that control the location of railways in order that their operation may be at maximum safety and efficiency), (I love this book.) In general (with mountain districts an important exception) double tracking adds 36.7% in costs over single track. As for the cost of bridges and culverts, double tracking costs 50% more over single track. So, this shows that a single double-track span costs about 75% of two single-track spans. Based on this, I think a bridge engineer would use a single double-track span if the line is built double tracked originally.

[TBat55]

Here's some pics of my Walthers double track truss. I didn't order the right code 83 bridge track the first time (don't get separate V's). Also check the track spacing distance specified in the catalog (2-1/4" I think).

















I have a lot of pics of this because it's the only finished part of my layout. Hope it helps you.

[scotttmason]

Here's how I added detailed lattice to girders by trimming down Central Valley box trusses.

Used to span gaps between plates with good results even though girders on Walthers kit are slightly wider. Next job - painting.

[electrolove]

Thanks guys for all the pictures. The bridge really looks nice.

[Anonymous]

Just a thought here...have you thought about making one?

[TBat55]

Do what scotttmason did! If you check the pic I posted like you're going over the bridge you'll see the cheap braces that come with the kit (just horizontal bars). This was a pain to build and I've never liked the look.

[ukguy]

Take a look at this site, great info and instructions,

http://www.blackbearcc.com/HO_kits.htm

Just incase you take the plunge & decide to build one.

Have fun & be safe,
Karl.

[Anonymous]

Ok got the bridge built. I decided to use scotttmason's suggestion with the central vally box trusses. I took a couple pictures of the building process and as soon as they get devoloped I'll put them up.
Andrew

[electrolove]

george745:

Thanks, looking forward to see that.

[electrolove]

TBat55:

The bridge looks very nice, thanks for posting the pictures.