My First Bridge

That was very helpful and very descriptive. As far as I'm concerned, in this forum where many folks are doing some pretty creative stuff, there is no such thing as TMI. Keep up the good work and keep the info coming.

So my 181st bridge is now practically finished. I've wired all lamps and added the railings along the top which I think really pull it all together. All that's left is some minor touch ups, placing it on the layout and electrifying it. Overall, I'm pleased with it, especial considering I've never done anything like this before. As soon as I electrify it I will post some "night" shots of it. Think they will look great considering the LEDs give over a nice warm glow.  Thanks for all the inputs and kind words throughout this effort. It's really energized me to keep going!

Peter

 A job well done! Looking forward to the night pics.

Don

Peter,

I missed your bridge topic until today.  Scrolling back, I see you have given plenty of photos and description of your process.  What's more it was a father/sons project!  That is great!  Congratulations on a superb job on the bridge, and on recording it for others to see how it's done.

Great work. I recently assembled 2 Plastrut truss bridges. First took 7 or 8 hours, the second about 3. Assembpy instructions were a bit vague but I got them done. Lots of cut and fit.

 

Dick 

Great job.      This had to be done (4) times. (18)Clamps.   The matching and craftsmanship is exceptional.  Thank you for posting pictures.

Just exceptional !

Really nice piece of Art. The stone's shape and color look terrific.!

thank you for sharing.

Andre. 

As promised, here it is all lit up. Must say, the lampposts I bought from Model Roller Coaster HQ really bring the bridge to life.  I highly recommend MRCHQ and Andy is a pleasure to work with - can do attitude and super helpful.  Boys plugged everything in and when it lit up, they said it was super cool, so mission accomplished. Although they also said it would look better with more lights, so thinking of adding lamps at half-way point across bridge. 

Very nice!

Don

Thanks. I was working off memory and some on-line pics for color and grime level. The stone work - Joel Bragdon gets the credit.  His molds are super!  

 

I might do a layout progress update thread at some point.  I've found there are so many helpful people here, feedback from you all would only improve our endeavor. 

 

Peter

Thanks Mike!

 

I drive under that bridge twice a day five days a week and I can tell you it's an accurate depiction of the real thing. Great work!

Mike

That is just plain AWESOME!!!!!!   What's the total time invested?  I don't normally keep track of my "hobby time".  After all, it IS a hobby.  I'm just curious.

 

Chief Bob (Retired)

 

       
       


Really appreciate that!

       
       


Good question. I would have to ballpark it at say, all-in, 15-20 hours. It could have been less.  But a lot of time was spent on the stone work. Had to prep the mold, prepare and spread foam/resin.  On the one upright, I purposely created a crack on the front side that runs 2/3 the height to try and emulate a thin crack on the real thing.  There is an imperfection in the mold which worked out perfectly for this effect - but it took some planning to make sure each horizontal casting was set properly on the upright structure to get this effect. And then I washed and redid the stone work coloring a few times to get it the way I wanted. Plus adding all the cables took a little time.

But, other than the mold prep work, it wasn't really tedious or boring.  And, I think it taught my computer-age sons a small but important life lesson in perseverance and having conviction - starting out with an idea and plan but not exactly knowing what you're doing or what the end result will be. And then seeing it through for a nice result.

Peter

Fantastic work!!!!

 

Peter

As an update, I needed to finish the under-bridge area in order to continue. Was unsure how to decorate it. But I then decided to take the mall area by the real bridge and then take some creative license. And then did it in HO for forced perspective given this area is in the far corner and I'd like to give it some depth. I've put the bridge there temporarily (wires all over the place) to see how it will all look together when it's done. Need to add some more people and some trash bins, etc.  What do you think so far?

Oh, forgot to mention- like most other things as we build out first layout - this is my very first attempt at doing this.


Peter

Outstanding!

Don

what a beautiful job...... fantastic workmanship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Superb!!

Andre.

GREAT BRIDGE…...

Awesome work, imagination, and execution!  Wow!

 

TRRR