Any thoughts or suggestions on my bridge designs? I have came up with two.
The first is low railings:
The basic dimensions are 12" X 2.66". The rail height would be about 1.5" above the rail height.
Plan #2 would be much taller and have cross braces across the top from one side to the other.
Then I have the dilemma of whether to make it look like a steel bridge (black) o a timber bridge.
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I like both, but I would like to know how they decided which type to use on the real railroads. Seems like shallow streams, etc. they used the low girder type and used more substantial designs on deeper water of the same span. The question is which looks more at home in your scenery?
How many tracks will be on the bridge - 1 or 2? The full scale span of your bridge is 48 feet. At that length, a low truss, as in your first sketch, or a steel girder could be used. The through-truss in your second sketch is too tall for a 48-foot span. At that length, the bridge depth would be be sized to give sufficient vertical clearance between the top of the rails and the upper cross members (about 16 feet) plus clearance (about 4 feet), for an approximate depth of 20 feet or 5 inches at 1:48 scale. I suggest you look at photographs of railroad bridges with 48-foot span and use their proportions and types of construction.
MELGAR
The short one looks better to me. The tall one just looks too tall for its length in my opinion...
@Steaming Jon posted:The short one looks better to me. The tall one just looks too tall for its length in my opinion...
An engine with a pantograph will need all of those 7 inches.
the tall one. is the bridge bolted or welded together? either way i'd add gusset plates at the joints. how are these pieces connected transversely?
are there transverse trusses at the top joints?
how are you making these? laser cutter?
Thank you everyone. I am not a purest or a detail fanatic--just having fun with grandkids.https://ogrforum.com/topic/149802438885904655?reply=149802438886625708#149802438886625708
I decided to do both. The taller one will span a hillside gap over another part of the rail line. The shorter will span a small "stream".
https://ogrforum.com/...0#149802438887575210
It is amazing when you convert to lifesize. Thank you for your suggestions. I did modify the taller one.
https://ogrforum.com/...8#149802438900317258
Alan, these are all wood--1/4" x 1/4", 1/8" x 1/2", and 1/2" x 1/2" stock. It is wood glued and pinned. I am going to add some very small rounded head nails that once painted will look like rivets.
I will post some progress pictures.
Bill
Bill
I can laser cut the sides as above in 1/4 thick board and mail them out to you. I'd engrave or score the lettering.
Email me.
Alan
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