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"Bridging the gap" on the layout....pictures!!

leavingtracksleavingtracksOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Another forumite suggested that I post my thread from the 3-rail forum over here so I hope it is OK to do so since no scenery is finished on this project yet. Hope you enjoy the pictures....

I had always wanted a nice bridge on the layout so it was time to start on a project I had been talking about for over a year. I called up Jim at Bridgeboss and asked if he would be willing to make some special pieces for me that would go along with his modular arch bridge sections. We spent about a week both talking on the phone and e-mailing each other....sketches from me, final drawings from him and finally the production of all of the pieces to build the bridge you see in the pictures below. As always, Jim's work is fantastic and he made a special effort to get the job done exactly as requested. You can see the chicken wire behind the bridge which will be used to support the rock bluff. There will be a small waterfall and at least two of the bridge pylons will be within the water. As usual, I appreciate you all taking time to look and I hope you enjoy!!

Thanks,
Alan



























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leavingtracksleavingtracksOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Thanks guys!!

Fred...the bridge is made of MDF. Jim's original design consists of the lower modular arches. I wanted to use those arches but didn't want to have to cut away 9 feet along the front of the layout bench work. So....I sketched out an idea to add on top of the arches a series of "face plates" that would sit directly in front of the bench work edge. These were designed to look like they were part of a bridge/retaining wall structure so that I would get the look of a large bridge and at the same time would not have to cut into the bench work at all. Jim reproduced those sections and then applied his special textured finish. He shipped everything to me where I then added the smaller details between each section to give it all a art deco look and to hide joints between pieces. Glad you like it!!

John...thanks for taking the time to post both here and on the 3-rail forum. I appreciate your comment. I have so much more to do on this way too big layout....wish I had some help!!!!!

Alan
Last edited by leavingtracks
Bridgeboss JimBridgeboss JimOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Originally Posted by leavingtracks:

Jim...visitors to the layout love the bridge.  It solved my desire to have a bridge in that location and did so in a unique way that shows how one can add a bridge like this without having to do any cutting into the bench work...

 

Alan

Here are a few other custom modifications made to this same model (Modular Arch Viaduct Bridge).

 

jim r

 

 

 

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ChugmanChugmanOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Jim - You have done a great job with this bridge.  I sure wish there was a better way to make a curved version.  it's too bad that you couldn't make different width sections to enable making it in a curved version.   

 

I appreciate that you have tried to work with me on this.  It really makes a grand bridge.

 

Art

Last edited by Chugman
Bridgeboss JimBridgeboss JimOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Hi Russ and Art.

 Id love to make a curved rendition of this model, however there are several hurdles to cross. One of most challenging would be trying to cover the many different curved track sizes whether it be 054, 072, 081, etc. . Each would require a whole different design. All of my products including bridges, train sheds, etc are made from various wooden products, that given would create some challenging design approach.

 Any ideas though, would be appreciated as many of my products have come about from customer requests as Alan can vouch for.

 

Thanks very much for your suggestions.

Jim r from www.bridgeboss.com

Last edited by Bridgeboss Jim
leavingtracksleavingtracksOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Matthew....have you given Masonite a thought??  I know it can be curved but to what amount I am not sure.  Also, you may be able to use the pink or blue sheet insulation board and cut your bridge pattern out and then bend it around your curves.  If you rest the weight on the edge of it, you may get some ability to support your layers...

 

Alan

Matthew B.Matthew B.OGR Forum Member

Hi Alan, I may come back to that. But for now I think I’ve decided to go with a stick trestle design. The display has to be moved quite often so weight is a big consideration. It’s  only  a 5’ x 8’  display which for the most part is conventionally controlled while lying in bed. I’m pretty lazy when it comes to operations. I’m thinking the skeletal design will provide the most unobstructed view front to back.

I’m still hoping to follow the arched pattern. Yesterday I got out my double wall vertical steamer and set up a jig to run experiments on bending material. The steamer's been running since 7:00 last night.

leavingtracksleavingtracksOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Matthew...I almost forgot....you may want to go over to my thread about what folks are doing on their corners where you had asked a question and I answered with a bunch of pictures.  I believe it is on page 2 of that thread.  I noticed that you had not responded so I didn't know if you had seen my response to you.  Quite a few more pictures for you there....

 

Alan

Bridgeboss JimBridgeboss JimOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
 
To Alan and Mathew.
 
I use 1/8 inch Masonite (tempered hardboard) quite a lot for my curved girder bridges all the way down to 027 curves. These strips are rather narrow, about 1 inch wide and bend very nicely, however Im not sure about much wider pieces. I will experiment later today and let you know. 
 
 
jim r from bridgeboss.
 
Originally Posted by leavingtracks:

Matthew....have you given Masonite a thought??  I know it can be curved but to what amount I am not sure.  Also, you may be able to use the pink or blue sheet insulation board and cut your bridge pattern out and then bend it around your curves.  If you rest the weight on the edge of it, you may get some ability to support your layers...

 

Alan

 

gene maaggene maagOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

If you have the time and a few tools you can make great bridges and structures with  Precision Board (see Garden Railways, How to. Aug 2007) It's easy to work with, any thing you can do with wood you can do better with Precision Board. All the structures in the photos are made with Precision Board except the two buildings to the left of the bank, they are scratch built with Polystyrene.

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Gilly@N&WGilly@N&WOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Another milestone in the attic layout construction. Today I installed both of my Garden Metal Models 35" steel (real) girder bridges. They are intended for G Scale, but Gargraves 5 rail trestle track fits perfectly. 

 

A good friend in our modular train club painted, weathered, and decal-ed them for me. They are a scale 460' above the stair treads. If there is ever a derailment, it will be spectacular!

 

 

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Off to lay some more track!!!

 

Gilly

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