The Pennsy sometimes used an "Overhead Watering System" (OWS) to provide a source of steam engine water across multiple tracks instead of the more typical water columns. The Pennsy OWS looked similar to a signal bridge, but with piping and waterspouts suspended from the structure to deliver water instead of hosting signals. Decades ago, when I was into HO, I was intrigued by the IHC plastic model of such a structure but never pulled the trigger. Fast forward to today - I want to include an OWS to service the multiple tracks coming out of the TT/RH area of my new layout. PSC did a brass version of an OWS in HO and O (Picture here HO Brass Model Structure - PSC 15564 PRR Pennsylvania Overhead Watering System - Unpainted - Made in Korea). While the model is exquisite, cost for a used O version runs close to $400 and up - more than I want to pay. My plan B is to kit bash an OWS using the PSC pics as a guide and Plasticville Signal Bridge parts as a starting point.
My OWS will span three tracks, so I planned to bash two Plasticville kits together to form the bridge structure and to use Plastruct tubing and fittings for the plumbing with PSC water spouts. The pic below shows the bridge parts cut and ready to splice together. Note that I cut off the walkway railings on the top since those are not present on the PSC model.
The pic below shows the parts spliced together and test fit, but the structure is not yet glued together.
Note the top of the bridge includes the simulated wood plank catwalk included in the Plasticville kits. I decided not to use that piece since the PSC model indicates that a truss structure, much like on the bottom of the bridge, is more appropriate. Unfortunately, that requires two more Plasticville kits to bash the elongated trusswork for the top using the parts intended for the bottom trusswork. Oh well, the project is still hundreds cheaper than a brass version. The pic below shows the bridge structure glued up with the 1/4" Plastruct piping included. I'm pleased with the results so far.
The next step, before I add the trusswork across the top, is to engineer the supports and pulleys for the spout counterweights. The counterweight mechanisms add a lot of visual interest, so I'll take my time with that. More to follow as I make progress!
