I-Beams

I-beams come in a wide variety of sizes (in real life).  Unless you are duplicating a specific building, it shouldn't matter.

 

Go with what looks good to you.

Pholsen,

Stock lengths of beams are usually 20 (5") or 40(10") feet long. Vulcan is right, you can find any length on a jobsite.

 

Alan Graziano

Thanks, Vulcan & Alan,

I keep forgetting that it is my railroad and I can do it any way I want. I do try to stay within scale as much as I can without being a "rivet counter". Paul 

Hi, I'm not sure if you have already done this, but you might want to think about making foundation walls and or have a poured concrete slab and then install the steel. From my construction experience I can say that in O scale you would probably be all set basing the vertical beams on standard I beams 2-3 scale feet (1/2"-3/4) x 2-3 scale feet (1/2"-3/4"), with intermediate horizontal I beam girders (1/2"-3/4") in height x 1/4'-1/2" flange width/depth. Also if you want to simulate the different floors being built use some styrene (or make your own) corrugated metal pan decking. It's commonly used as the base before the upper concrete floors are poured (slab thickness's can range but you'd be safe with 1/4" thick....and don't forget the splice plates and bolts at the beam to column junctures for added detail. Just food for thought.

 

Nick B

Boston Metro Hi Railers

Wilmington, MA

Thanks Nick, I'm a bit confused. What would the distance between the verticle I Beams be? What would the distance between floors? MilwRdPaul

You should be pretty close, if you spaced the vertcal beams 20-25' on center, which would reflect about a 5" spacing. Regarding the floor height (2nd floor and upward) berween floors can range.....16' is probably a safe height (4" from top of floor slab to underside of slab/metal deck above) to allow for finished ceilings and still have room for the hvac ductwork and plumbing pipes.


Just let me know if you need some more help.

Nick b
Boston metro hi Railers
Wilmington, ma

Thanks again Nick, This will get me started and I definitely will get hold of you for more info as my project progresses.

Paul

When I pull my stuff out,I'll let you know what beams (size wise) you'll nead to buy.

I'm pretty sure I have an idea what you want to do