I looking to build some bridges for my HO layout and I plan to build them instead of purchasing them. Can anyone tell me a good website, book, video or something? Also, should I use styrene or wood? They would be modern bridges.
Thanks,
Zak
use both
Kalmbach sells a couple of great bridge books.
I use wood for most things I build, especially bridges.
However, a combination would be best. You should look at the plastic sheets and shapes offered by Plastruct.
I don’t know of any good references, sorry.
MR and RMC have had a number of articles over the years on bridges, I guess you could try to track down indexes (online??) and get the back issues. I think Carstens book on bridges and trestles has some plans etc. It’s usually advertised in RMC with the other Carstens books.
MR has a book on bridges and tunnels, might be a great way to start. Check out their page on the Kalmbach site:
http://store.yahoo.com/kalmbachcatalog/12452.html
Bob Boudreau
For stryene construction, MicroEngineering and Central Valley are great. They offer specific kits and supplies to kit bash most any steel bridge.
Bob K.
This looks to be a great reference…
http://cgi.ebay.com/BOOK-HO-Bridge-Trestle-Handbook_W0QQitemZ6049515334QQcategoryZ484QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Saying bridge is like saying revenue car, there are many styles and sizes, and they are company, location, and era specific too. The local BNSF line today, April 6, 2006 has many old bridges. Some along the highway have dates such as 1901 and 1910 cast into them, yet they are still being used today, so I would tend to call them modern bridges. So you maybe need to narrow it down a tad as to what type and style you need and ask about each type you wi***o use. Fred
Fred, I wasn’t asking for someone to tell me how to make a bridge, I was just asking about some links so that I might be able to learn how to build my own bridges. For your information, I’m modeling todays era, so I will use bridges that apply. They are bridges that will cross over other tracks and roads. When I have the room for a big layout then I will look to have bridges cross over water too.
Kitbashing using the Micro Engineering and Central Valley truss bridge and trestles kits appear to be the only way I will be able to reasonably model the lattice through truss bridges on the old Erie mainline between Cambridge Springs, PA and Mill Village, PA.
I have been unable to find styrene sheet with rivet detail to make various parts for my HO project. If anyone has suggestions please send them along. Thanks!
Does anyone have a good reference for a vertical lift type bridge? Thanks. John W.
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=S&cmdtext=bridge&MAG=ANY&output=3&sort=2
I suggest that you get a bunch of issues of Mainline Modeler magazine, it consistently has step by step instructions for scratch building.
For short bridges plastic is a good choice, for longer also consider aluminum stock available at Menards, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.
Remember that strength and stiffness of a beam is proportional to the thickness cubed and the width. Thus, if you double the thickness it will be eight times as strong. If you double the width, it is only twice as strong.
Plate Girder bridges are very easy unless you have to have the rivet detail. The Kalmbach book on bridges and trestles is a good one.
I just cut a strip of styrene to length, like say 60ft and 7 ft high. Glue on some T ribs every 3 to 5 ft, then a 2x12 on top and bottom. Make two. Then space them 7 to 9 ft with a strip of styrene. Add some X braces on the bottom. 1x1x10 ft bridge ties ( from balsa or basswood stained ) or on a smaller bridge matchsticks cut to 9ft.
I space the bridge ties close. Primer gray or black with weathering, makes it all look great!
When your back a couple of feet, youll never notice the rivets arent there anyway.
Try one, its EASY!!!
Randy McKenzie
Virginia Southern
Check out Bridge Basics by the Bridges and Tunnels of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania web site at http://pghbridges.com/basics.htm.
Good luck with your projects!