Easiest way to cross an access

Charles,

Dave has shown you one of the easiest way to bridge an access point.

He shows pins but they could easily be large nails in snug holes in the plank.  I would also and a weight (or strong magnets)underneath to to keep the plank in place.  After you fit the plank in place and are happy with it, add the track.  Add power wires, either soldered fixed or with plugs.  The plank DOES NOT have to be rectangular.  You can contour it to align with naturally occurring track joints if you are reluctant to cut the track.

I need to take a few pictures of by TEMPORARY swing up bridge.  It's only been in place for 14 years.

Jan

Yes Dan modified the original plan to make the track straights at joints and just angle the board so that made it look easier to me.  I could probably figure out the wiring process I am just wondering how you connect the gap in the track cuts to make connectivity with the track on the table when you lower the platform down.  I am thinking plugs would be the way to go.

I made a hinged bridge for one of my members. I used a piece of wood with bridge sides.

There is also a very important wiring issue to think about when planning either a lift-out or raise-up bridge.  You must have a long enough section of track where power is killed BEFORE entering the bridge if the bridge is UP or MISSING.  The obvious reason is to prevent trains from meeting the floor below the bridge or actually crashing into a raised bridge (for raise-ups).

Just a little more to plan for as you proceed.

@Not seasoned yet posted:

Yes Dan modified the original plan to make the track straights at joints and just angle the board so that made it look easier to me.  I could probably figure out the wiring process I am just wondering how you connect the gap in the track cuts to make connectivity with the track on the table when you lower the platform down.  I am thinking plugs would be the way to go.

I used red/black Anderson Power Pole connectors to do that. Not the easiest to assemble, but low loss and virtually bulletproof. Just make sure the ones you use are properly rated for the current being carried.

I am definitely will be asking wiring questions in the future, I am using MTH Z 4000 and Lionel 275 Z transformers. Thanks

My choice was the Mianne Power Lift Bridge.

This is the bridge down, all the tracks line up perfectly.

Here's the bridge up, no crawling for me!

Your playing big boy stuff now, wow that is very nice !