I just got finished looking at Allen Keller’s tape #60 about the Virginia & Ohio RR. I loved the bridge supports that Allen McClelland had for his bridges. They looked like concrete supports that had been there for years. Now, I think I can figure out the color part such as basic paint, weathering techniques and even the interesting cracks in the aging structure. BUT, how does one construct the basic structure? It looks like some type of plaster material. Howard Zane has some interesting bridge supports. Those seem to be constructed of wood with styrene strips glued on top. Then, the usual weathering techniques. I have built several Micro Engineering plate girder bridges. But, I need supports of various heights. No disrespect to Chooch, but their products are difficult for me to work with when combining them to fit my locations. Especially, if I have a double track portion with 2 bridges side by side. A little help, please!!
Here’s a LINK showing (a couple of posts down) one method of casting your own piers and abutments.
Wayne
For many of these applications, I will use a wood sub structure, 1x pine etc. This support acts as a riser as well as a substructure to apply the abutment finish. The finish can be plaster castings, styrene stip wood ect. This support need not be wood if your construction methods doesn’t require a riser. Many use carved foam.
Plaster castings cut and fitted to wood superstructure
Finished area
Wood support/ risers to be covered with plaster casings, lower area to be rock castings decendint to river below (note tower piers, carved from wood and sufficient height to adjust grade.
