BRIDGES...let's see the bridges on your layout...and some real ones too, for reference....

Bridge and trestle across the doorway into our train shed. The truss bridge and area below  are a lift out section. 

Gilly you're a very brave man.  What's the speed limit on that bridge?

coach joe posted:

Gilly you're a very brave man.  What's the speed limit on that bridge?

I had a problem with my TMCC scale N&W 1218 A. It made a couple of passes over the bridge at full track voltage. Fortunately, the super-elevated 0138 and 089 curves on the outer main handled the speed with no problems.

Typical speeds are usually 35-45 mph max.

I returned to a section of temporary span to begin construction of proper bridges.  The two track overpass seemed simple enough...just fabricate a skewed through girder type to serve the purpose.  Simple couldn't be further from the truth.  As it neared completion ( more rivets to add ) the focus shifted to the major span.

The nature of the duck under area meant building a bridge without central supports, and because the track here is curved, a prototypical railroad bridge type does not exist in the real world.  Splaying the steel arch legs allows for ample support on the outside of the curved deck. 

Construction began by forming the deck from steel curtain rod "I" beams tied together with short pieces of wood.  Where the track crosses over lines on the other side it was simpler to continue the deck and tie it firmly to the benchwork.

The arches, again from curtain rod, produce the main support, and after a bit of maneuvering were anchored to the benchwork with screws.  A single screw at the top of each arch fastens them to the deck.  Notice the exaggerated lean to the inside arch, whereas the outside one is perfectly vertical.  Further stringers and latticework can now be added at leisure in a sitting position without interrupting train operation.

Finally, for now, here's a shot that emphasizes the built in superelavation to the curved deck.  String-lining here, a phenomenon that has yet to occur, could prove catastrophic.  Fingers crossed.

Bruce

We have had this beautiful all metal recreation of the c&o bridge in Sciotoville, Oh on display at our annual show in Portsmouth, Oh  

Bruce, Wow!!

N&Wsteamfan, Wow!!

If you look at the top picture. The elderly gentleman with the wheeled walker is the creator. 

n&wsteamfan posted:

If you look at the top picture. The elderly gentleman with the wheeled walker is the creator. 

Monumental!  A beautiful tribute to the " longest-span continuous bridge in railroad service in th U.S. "  With only 3 supports holding up 2 spans of 775' each, it relies on cantilever action to make the immense spans.

Anyone searching for info on all things in railroad bridges should get the Bridge & Trestle Handbook by Paul Mallery.

Bruce

Walt Whitman bridge Phila with Pa skyline ,the Schuykill river ,rowers

Jim aka bridgeboss

that is your bridge  fantastic  with some mods

rich

n&wsteamfan posted:

 

We have had this beautiful all metal recreation of the c&o bridge in Sciotoville, Oh on display at our annual show in Portsmouth, Oh  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that's a bridge!

Sean

brwebster posted:

n&wsteamfan posted:

If you look at the top picture. The elderly gentleman with the wheeled walker is the creator. 

Monumental!  A beautiful tribute to the " longest-span continuous bridge in railroad service in th U.S. "  With only 3 supports holding up 2 spans of 775' each, it relies on cantilever action to make the immense spans.

Anyone searching for info on all things in railroad bridges should get the Bridge & Trestle Handbook by Paul Mallery.

Bruce

He did a fantastic job!  I'll bet he feels happy it can be out on display for others to enjoy!

Bruce, Thank you for that great information and the plug for the Mallery book!!

Here are the bridges from my layout. 

- Lionel covered bridge

- K-Line girder bridges with I believe is an American Steel Bridge.

 A work train slowly moves across 1,130-foot-long Baird Creek Trestle during the bridge’s construction in 1940 at Weyerhauser Co.’s St. Helens Tree Farm near Longview, Wash. The 235-foot-high structure was dismantled in 1961 when the railroad closed.       Weyerhauser photo

                           a bridge my Dad built when he was growing up...

The last two I put in were Menards double track bridges............Paul 2

Here's some pix of a wooden truss elevated system on my last layout about 18 yrs ago. The layout sat idle for approx. a yr, I decided to sell it to a friend .

This one is homemade . I still have some painting to do to it  to finish it up . Maybe even add a name on it .