This may sound really simple, and being quite possibly simple-minded, I have found that placing the Lionel coal tower over my mainline and watching the trains pass under it is quite impressive, and actually makes the scene come alive each and every time the train passes under it. I know coal towers were mostly on sidings, and so obviously I don't care about being correct. I wanted to see if anyone knows of other structures (that are available) where the trains pass under them. I could only think of the Lionel gantry crane and a couple of Menards buildings. Any others?
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What about pedestrian bridges, Highways, Grain towers, flower towers, fueling platforms. I'm sure there are more, but now like you I am drawing a blank.
How about stations, apartment buildings, officers towers, airport runways, and warehouses?
There are many urban railroading examples of entire city areas on platforms above the right of way. I considered doing something like this on my layout but went a different direction.
You are correct about the visual effect of a train passing beneath a structure. Factories often had buildings opposite one another on both sides of railroad rights of way, with pedestrian walkways above the tracks connecting the buildings. These walkways would be at least at the level of the third or fourth floor to provide adequate clearance for trains. One such example are two factory buildings in West Haven, Connecticut, where an enclosed walkway crosses over the tracks of Metro-North Railroad. I plan to build two buildings connected by a walkway above the tracks on my under-construction O gauge layout.
MELGAR
Stone based switching towers were built over tracks in a couple spots.
An over/under bridge. Autos on one level, train on the other.
The Colossus of Rhodes?
How about a whole raised business district over an underground station.....the trains can go under and freights can bypass. An El train connects to the upper level. These are from my 1993-2003 layout.
Peter
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All good suggestions...great minds must think alike...I've been working 'under city' scenes, too. Above are a couple of shots, still working on finishing.