My elevated structure now has its first standing structure. This is a reinforced section which means the following:
1. For sidewalk columns there are braces for the connection between the outside track girders and the columns of BOTH cross girders.
2. Each track girder is braced to ADJOINING track girders.
The need for reinforcement comes from those sections that are at the ends of modules. Other sections will have only only bracing to the columns of a SINGLE cross girder and there will be NO bracing to adjoining track girders with the exception of bracing at there "X" positions.
The structure is very sturdy and can easily handle the weight of MTH subway cars. Ben this differs from your suggestion that the Plastruct may not be strong enough. Your suggestion is a valid one should there be NO bracing. I proved it by testing the structure before the placement of the braces between the outside track girders and the cross girder columns. The structure was unstable and simply adding two of the four braces made the structure very rigid. The hardboard design that is used for your el is 1/8 inch thick which translates into steel 6 inches thick. With that kind of support there would be no need for bracing.
The bracing from the track girder to the columns uses ABS angles 17.5 scale feet long with each joint 4.75 feet apart. I think this is called a Warren truss. There are 7 individual sections in this truss all 4 scale feet long.
