I have a seeming simple kit that is confusing me to no end. How does one assemble a Bachmann HO signal tower? I purchased one as the start of a kitbash to build a support for a pipe for my pair of woodchip loaders based on a suggestion here in the fourth post. (I figure I will need to get at least two more to get enough length.) Before I start to bash the kit into what I need, I would like to figure out how to assemble it. I can get the end supports and the sides put together but I can't figure out how to get the top and bottom put in the assembly. (I don't need the signal pieces.) The picture in the instructions is not much help. As usual, any assistance that can be provided would be most welcomed.
All I can offer is the hint that Bachmann offers: "Gently nestle the bottom in place using the rubber end of a pencil eraser".
So the bottom goes in from the top, then the top, with the planks, goes on.
It's been years since I've built one of those.
Good Luck, Ed
Are we talking about the Plasticville Signal Bridge?
Rich
Alton Junction
I'm guessing he is since Bachmann bought the Plasticville line?
https://tinyurl.com/n7cyjef5
The instruction sheet is at hoseeker.
Regards, Ed
OK, that is what I thought the OP was referring to - - the Bachmann Plasticville Signal Bridge, Item No. 45134.
Years ago, I bought a couple of these kits and assembled them. You are correct, Ed, the bottom framework goes in from the top and the planks go in. There is nothing really complicated about this, although you gotta glue this entire assembly together in spite of instructions to the contrary.
Using the terminology found in the instruction sheet, I start with the Bottom Structure and glue the two Bridge Railings to the Bottom Structure. Then, I glue the Walkway to this glued structure. Before gluing, I fit these structures together manually to find the supports for the Bottom Structure and the Walkway. The supports are part of the Bridge Railings. The Bridge Sides and Bases go on next.
Initially, I bought one Signal Bidge kit for my double mainline on my old layout. It barely fits over a double mainline, 2" on center, and it is an ugly little guy, IMHO. So, I bought a second kit and kitbashed the two kits together to better fit over the double mainline. I added Tomar dwarf signals to replace the nonoperating Signal Lights included in the kit. I hid the wiring with heat shrink tubing.
Acknowledging that I am the world's worst photographer, here is a photo of the initial kitbash. Sorry for the messy layout appearance. You can see the indentations in the ballast where the original bases of the signal bridge sat on the layout.
More recently, on my new layout, I purchased additional kits and kitbashed a 4-track signal bridge. I will go down to the layout and take some photos later this morning.
richhotrainInitially, I bought one Signal Bidge kit for my double mainline on my old layout. It barely fits over a double mainline, 2" on center, and it is an ugly little guy, IMHO.
I agree.
If the OP is looking for a "pipe corridor" or piping supports I might suggest the parts from the various Walthers conveyor kits. I made a piping support using these parts for my outdoor service tracks at my roundhouse:
IMG_6890_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
https://www.walthers.com/belt-conveyor-kit-pkg-3
Also, a better signal bridge is the one offered by Oregon Railway products. They have a two and a four track span. A little fussy to assemble but the results are nice.
IMG_2650 by Edmund, on Flickr
http://www.oregonrail.com/new.html
gmpullman If the OP is looking for a "pipe corridor" or piping supports I might suggest the parts from the various Walthers conveyor kits. Also, a better signal bridge is the one offered by Oregon Railway products. They have a two and a four track span. A little fussy to assemble but the results are nice.
If the OP is looking for a "pipe corridor" or piping supports I might suggest the parts from the various Walthers conveyor kits.
Model Power also makes a signal bridge that is simple, easy to assemble, and easy to kitbash for wider spans.
The first photo shows the five kits necessary to kitbash two 4-track signal bridges.
The second photo shows the completed horizontal structure.
The third photo shows the completed 4-track signal bridge.
The fourth photo show a kitbashed Model Power 4-track bridge.
gmpullman If the OP is looking for a "pipe corridor" or piping supports I might suggest the parts from the various Walthers conveyor kits. I made a piping support using these parts for my outdoor service tracks at my roundhouse: IMG_6890_fix by Edmund, on Flickr https://www.walthers.com/belt-conveyor-kit-pkg-3
I have a few supports from a different project with some Walthers kits that I glued together to start an alternate idea if I don't use the signal bridge. The one problem is that those particluar supports are a bit short at stock height as it stands currently. The woodchip tower structure is a rather tall one by the time I put the bashed bottom piers to allow for the hopper cars to roll underneath them. I will have to measure it to see exactly how tall they are. At the very least looking at the signal tower gives me some ideas if I decided to scratch-build something. If I don't use the bridge, I'm not out anything. Too long to go into, but I will say being nice and respectful to people can get you benefits you might not think about.