Has anyone pick up the new Atlas 18" long single track truss bridge? I just recently saw it at the local hobby supply. It was in a plastic liner so I couldn’t see how good the rivet detail was. This was molded in black for set up for code 83 track,but it also comes in a metal color.
Larry
Atlas produces some handsome bridges, that’s why they tend to be pricey (especially in “O”,yikes!).
Looked at mine last night. The new Atlas curved chord truss bridge has no rivet detail. Looks like mine may become a template for scratch construction with more detailed beams and trusses, or perhaps as a stand-in while the scratch construction takes place. Too bad as the old Atlas snap track deck truss and girder bridges had just enough rivet detail to serve as construction fodder for a range of projects.
For a straight chord bridge, try the Walthers kit. The Central Valley pin connected truss is exquisite, but translates to a fairly light duty structure–good for the 1904 build date on its portal truss. It’s excellent girders and trusses (or the separate parts bag) provide the afore-mentioned fodder for heavier construction typical of mainline loadings of the 1920’s and later.
This isn’t the curved truss bridge. I have heard that that particular bridge has been discontinued. This is an 18" truss bridge similar to the Central Valley and Walthers single track truss bridges. I was told it is brand new from Atlas.
68 Camero,
The new Atlas bridge IS the one I was describing as having no rivets. “Curved chord” is the technical term for the truss structure that has a top truss piece (chord) that slants up from the portal, continues at a different slant angle (or angles if multiple panels are used) to the center and mirrors those angles back down to the other portal (end).
The old, discontinued by Atlas, arched truss bridge was uncommon in North America. The new through truss from Atlas reflects common US bridge construction, albeit without the rivets. Sigh.
Thanks for clearing that up for me. I know it was definately longer than most of the bridges Atlas produces and looks like a Central Valley unit. If my eyes were better, I would probably but the CV unit but alas their not. I am going to try to take a closer look at it today. I am going to use it on a duck under section to make look “better” and attempt to have a river below it.
68 Camero,
Sounds like a good use for this (Atlas) bridge (or the Walthers “straight chord through truss). In spite of no rivets, the Atlas structure will be solid. That could be very important in the duck-under location you describe. Though it sounds like you will have “benchwork” (the river) underneath, such areas are always prone to inadvertant bumps. I’m surprised my back has no lasting impacts from the 54” duck-under I used for two decades.
BTW, the Central Valey kit uses steel straps to reinforce the deck girders that support the track. they are well concealed by the girders.
Good luck!
Trainworld is still listing the old curved chord bridge.
http://www.trainworld1.com/atlas/atlas_HO_track.htm
I’ve got one of those and I think it looks great after lots of weathering:
Which bridge is this that you have photographed? Looks very good from here.
I downloaded pics of the new bridge when Atlas announced it on their site. I’ve just checked and the pics sort of show some rivet detail but not a whole lot.
Could this be a modern bridge only rivetted at the joins rather than a fully rivetted older construction?
If they’ve made it with no rivets at all they’ve made a big mistake… it will only sell to the bottom end/toy train market.
I guess it could be used in the background… but that’s a lot of background…[%-)]
That’s the old curved chord bridge that Atlas doesn’t seem to be making any more. It’s also 18 inches long, and I’d imagine the new ones are meant to replace it in the catalog. I sprayed it Moss Green and then weathered it with Instant Rust. The silver beam in the corner is where the painters will be working once the scene is completed.
I hope it has the rivet detail. As you say, it would be a waste to spend that much in tooling and not get it right. However, if it is anything like there three stall roundhouse it will be very good.
Those Truss bridges look awful like the ones near Sunbury off Rte 15 where it splits and crosses the river for a valley run towards williamsport the long way without having to assault the mountains. (And the scales)
I recall three truss bridges on the two lane (Rte 14?) near Troy or in that general area in a valley. Lots of fun when you see the sign “One truck at time on bridge” when there are three bearing down on it at once. A little bit green dont know if age or paint.
I plan to use these bridges as they are nice and useful. The rivets? I can imagine that I might find some that might make good rivet heads but it is a little too intense for me to be rivet counting.
You could actually add the rivet detail. A ponce wheel on very thin styrene would at least give some believable detail. If you use clear stryrene, you can see through to a desired rivet pattern below. Just need to adjust the cushioned surface (magazine, layers of paper, etc.) on ply or workbench for the ponce to create the dimples/ rivets desired. Just trim and glue to the bridge before painting.
I have numerous parts left over from CV an ME. The Micro Engineering detail is even superior to Central Valley. I’m running low on rivet plates, maybe someone knows of a source or it’s back to making them.