Bridge Help Needed

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I am getting ready to start in my Layout, adn would like some help and suggestions. I was to put a couple of trestlel bridges on it, and would like to scratch build them. What I am looking for are some plans or inexpensive kits. Previously I was into RC airplanes, so I have plenty of leftover Balsa and Bass wood sticks left over.

Almost forgot. I am modeling in n scale.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Jacob

2

There have been numerous articles over the years in the pages of MR. Back in the late 50’s they had a series of “Bluebook” sections for cutout and retaining in a three ring binder. One was all about trestles (not tressels) if you can find one.

3

This should get you heading in the right direction

http://model-trains-video.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?239

ratled

4

Here’s my way to scratch build a curved trestle.

Wolfgang

5

There are several good trestle kits available for N scale. Here are some that I know of that are good quality…

http://www.jvmodels.biz/n_scale_models.htm

http://www.blairline.com/bridges/

This place not only sells kits, but they also have jigs and plans if you’re wanting to use up that balsa wood you have on hand already…

http://www.blackbearcc.com/n_kits.htm

6

These have been a great help. Please keep the ideas coming.

Jacob

7

Here’s a video on scratch building a bridge that you can download for as little as $2. Hard to beat and the video is good, I’ve seen the whole series and they are all top notch.

8

I have a small miter sander, and a small miter cutter( uses a razor blade for a cutting edge) which comes in handy for making a trestle.

Balsa, basswood or even spruce makes great building material for bridges and trestles.

You can get plans for trestles, etc, and since you built RC, ( like I myself still do ( sailplanes and giant scale power) I have buunch of special tools which comes in just as handy for MRRing.

I also am making a set of foam risers using my Tekoa Foam cutter with which I can make almost anything as I have all the cutting accessories.
It’s really a handy tool!

Make any percent of grade you want, all you have to do is make a few templates and start cutting foam, then you can slot them so they bend either way just like the WS foam risers, except a LOT CHEAPER!!

www.tekoa.com/

check out the gravity operated “Feather Cut system”.

You can buty accessories to make cylinders, etc , etc.
I use it mostly for cutting foam core wings for my RC airplanes.
TheK4Kid

9

There are two types of trestles, ballast deck and open deck, and two types of framing, driven piles and frame with footings. The ballast deck with frame would be the easiest to construct in N. Paul Mallory’s book on bridges and trestles covers just about everything except some of the most modern. The bents(frames) are usually about 15 feet apart. The footings for the bents are usually concrete piers or formed in rock cuts. The footings should be above the expected water line of the stream. Standard plans are sometimes available from the historical societies. Best of luck.

10

I’m in HO, but for one of my gold mines I needed a trestle for my tailings dump. I bought the N-scale JV wooden trestle model and I’m really happy with it. It went together relatively fast and everything went where it was supposed to.

Don’t know if this photo helps or not, but this is the result. Unlike a main-line trestle for N, I staggered the bents to make it look sorta/kinda ‘Jerry-Built’ since all it has to handle is 2’ gauge mining cars.

But it’s a good kit and really sturdy.

Tom [:)]