Menards Truss Bridge Photos and comments

It looks really nice, is it plastic or something else?

The frame is all wood,   (MDF)   painted black. The base is steel also painted black

Thank you, Bob, for the photos and comments!  My planned layout has two stone bridges based on a Western Maryland prototype.  This bridge has me thinking that I could use a little modelers license and put one on the lowest area of the layout!  I'm attaching a photo of the bridge at Parsons, West Virginia.  Menards is close enough for government work!!  Far less expensive than most commercial truss bridges, and good and solid.  You talked me into it!!!

If and when I have room for a bridge,  these will be high on the list. Will take some negotiation with the CEO for more real estate first though. 

Nice looks bridge indeed! I just might have to bow down and get a double track one and use my other old ones for car bridges in my road system!

CABINET BOB,

Thank you for providing us with multiple photos of Menard's new bridges. Do these bridges need assembled or do they come put together? I noticed the screws holding the sides on to the deck. Also, if the bridge does require some assembly are the screw holes already drilled? 

jim sutter posted:

CABINET BOB,

Thank you for providing us with multiple photos of Menard's new bridges. Do these bridges need assembled or do they come put together? I noticed the screws holding the sides on to the deck. Also, if the bridge does require some assembly are the screw holes already drilled? 

Jim : these are all put together, just put it in place..Bob

Very easy to install, just drop it where you want .

LOL

Mark Boyce posted:

[.......]Menards is close enough for government work!!  Far less expensive than most commercial truss bridges, and good and solid. 

I think you can buy the Lionel truss bridge with the rock piers (if you want to use those), for around $55 most places.  They, too have metal bases..  I have two of them and they are solid. No issues in 10 years.   

The similar and excellent MTH bridge can be had for around $62.00

The Menard's bridge look like a winner.

Given that the big 2, and Menard's bridge are all priced around the same, I would look at all to see which fits your layout best.

No this is not a slight at Menard's at all.  Just a simple comparison given we do it all the time on their other items, with regards to price.

Excellent comparison, David!!  I agree, which ever suits my situation best is the one to get!!  I have seen all three advertised, but for some reason only realized one would fit my theme now!  Thank you.

The thing I like about the Menard's bridge is it bridges the gap (no pun) between the longer Lionel and MTH Bridges, and the much shorter bridges from those two.

Great product,great review Bob as always!

CABINET BOB,

Thank you for the information concerning assembly. This makes it, even a better deal.

EscapeRocks posted:

The thing I like about the Menard's bridge is it bridges the gap (no pun) between the longer Lionel and MTH Bridges, and the much shorter bridges from those two.

I think that is a good point.  Checking the Lionel and MTH offerings, I think the Menards is proportioned about right to simulate the prototype I showed. I'll look again before making a decision.

Mark Boyce posted:

Thank you, Bob, for the photos and comments!  My planned layout has two stone bridges based on a Western Maryland prototype.  This bridge has me thinking that I could use a little modelers license and put one on the lowest area of the layout!  I'm attaching a photo of the bridge at Parsons, West Virginia.  Menards is close enough for government work!!  Far less expensive than most commercial truss bridges, and good and solid.  You talked me into it!!!

Mark I walked across and fished under that  bridge many times as a young boy back in the late late 50's while spending my summers in Thomas.  That's the Cheat River it crosses.  Here's another view of the bridge.

i

I think the Menards bridge will fit the bill very well.  I'm ordering the dual bridge.

Great review. Very nice looking bridge. I was noticing that in place if "rivets" there are laser-drilled holes. Looks like one could insert cut-down pins to further enhance the detail. My current layout design doesn't call for a bridge, but I'm thinking about getting one anyway.

Neat observation Matt!  I didn't notice, but my screen isn't very large either.  I will take a closer look!

wild mary posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Thank you, Bob, for the photos and comments!  My planned layout has two stone bridges based on a Western Maryland prototype.  This bridge has me thinking that I could use a little modelers license and put one on the lowest area of the layout!  I'm attaching a photo of the bridge at Parsons, West Virginia.  Menards is close enough for government work!!  Far less expensive than most commercial truss bridges, and good and solid.  You talked me into it!!!

Mark I walked across and fished under that  bridge many times as a young boy back in the late late 50's while spending my summers in Thomas.  That's the Cheat River it crosses.  Here's another view of the bridge.

i

I think the Menards bridge will fit the bill very well.  I'm ordering the dual bridge.

Good shot, Nick!  I was there a little over 20 years ago.  At least rails to trails keeps these bridges and ROWs in service 

What's the clearance within the truss? Will it clear a superliner and/or a doublestack car?

I put together 2 Plastrut bridges and used Archer rivet decals. they turned out looking good. The bridge kits were $50 each and 2 1/2 sets of decal rivets ($45.00) per bridge so $95.00 per bridge. The rivets looked great but what a pain.

Dick

AGHRMatt posted:

Great review. Very nice looking bridge. I was noticing that in place if "rivets" there are laser-drilled holes. Looks like one could insert cut-down pins to further enhance the detail. My current layout design doesn't call for a bridge, but I'm thinking about getting one anyway.

Matt, you got to stop hanging around those two rail rivet counters and that John Korling guy. 

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

What's the clearance within the truss? Will it clear a superliner and/or a doublestack car?

prrhorseshoecurve,

The clearance is a tad over 7".

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

cabinet Bob posted:

Guys: This is the best bridge I have ever seen  for being  a production Item ! It is built like a tank and not a flaw anywhere. The packing  is like a tank too, heck, you could build a bridge with just the packing material. As you can see in the pictures, great detail shows in every part. For the  cost, this is well worth every cent spent on this. All in All,  another Home run for Menards..

Great addition for my layout.  The shipping packaging is great.  Here is a YouTube review by Thunder Bolt.

https://youtu.be/8UosY4ZYxHY

https://www.youtube.com/embed/8UosY4ZYxHY

Jim,

Thank you for the thumbs up on the bridge.  Don 'Thunder Bolt's video was what nailed it for me earlier this week.  Mine is in order too!

I have to agree, built like a tank, looks great and packed very well. 

AGHRMatt posted:

I was noticing that in place if "rivets" there are laser-drilled holes. Looks like one could insert cut-down pins to further enhance the detail. 

That might take a month of Sundays, given that there are hundreds of those holes. It would be good to cover over those exposed screw heads, too.

The holes don't look much like rivets to me, but maybe it looks better in person.

I'll leave mine as is.  My eyes aren't very good anyway!!  

breezinup posted:

AGHRMatt posted:

I was noticing that in place if "rivets" there are laser-drilled holes. Looks like one could insert cut-down pins to further enhance the detail. 

That might take a month of Sundays, given that there are hundreds of those holes. It would be good to cover over those exposed screw heads, too.

The holes don't look much like rivets to me, but maybe it looks better in person.

I agree that the holes don't look like rivets.  IF I purchase the bridge I'll use cut off escutcheon nails to fill the holes. The heads look like rivets.

That's a great idea!!

Mark Boyce posted:

That's a great idea!!

By my estimate there are something in excess of 1200 holes to fill. Cutting off over 1200 nails, and then filling each hole with one, sounds like real quality time.  

If you're in prison.    

Oh I said earlier I can't see well enough to notice the difference. I just meant I can see the heads of those little guys would look like rivets.  I'm going to use my bridge as is.  Now maybe when I retire... I won't care either!  LOL

breezinup posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

That's a great idea!!

By my estimate there are something in excess of 1200 holes to fill. Cutting off over 1200 nails, and then filling each hole with one, sounds like real quality time.  

If you're in prison.    

I'm retired and have no set schedule to meet so it gives me something else to do.  I love little projects like this.

I'm waiting to see if Swafford posts any different paint schemes for this bridge. Lol!

Matt Kramer posted:

I'm waiting to see if Swafford posts any different paint schemes for this bridge. Lol!

LOL...............not going to happen! 

So, I received my bridge today; the single track version.  First, the holes representing rivets are good enough for me.  I can hardly see anything that small anyway!  

Yes, I am going to keep the packing materials, they will come in handy.  Now on to the bridge.  I thought, where am I going to put it until I am ready to install it?  Yes, I could put it back in the box, but that's no fun.  Here is my solution.

I'm with you Mark. My bridge is on the layout and I still can't see the detail. 

Yours looks good  where you put it. Good luck with it,

Dave