I’m interested in exploring the use of a Walther’s Bascule bridge kit as the main part of a lift gate, entry into the layout. From photos it looks like they don’t or won’t quite open all the way to vertical (90 degrees). Is there any easy way to make them do so? The aisle entryway is going to be approx. 24" wide. If not, has anyone used one for this purpose and have tips for setting the bridge slightly off to the side of the access opening so that one can get past without breaking the bridge with one’s shoulder, etc.? Anyone have pics they can post if you’ve done this? If it can be made to work, I’d consider doubling the bridges side by side. I may go bridge shopping the beginning of next week, so would really like to know what’s possible. If this isn’t, I guess I’ll just mount “standard” bridges to the lift up/out base as originally planned. Finally, Are there any tower ended lift bridge kits available in styrene that will lift 2 or more feet to avoid ducking under? My zero elevation will be 48" with one track (out of 3 together, crossing the aisle)a little highe4 at approx. 5-51/2". Any help and pics are greatly appreciated.
I was pondering that approach myself when I first built my layout, but after bumping into protruding surfaces several times [regardless of how careful I tried to be], I opted out - I’m not sure how long that fragile styrene bridge could survive if any operators twice my size had to go thru that opening on a regular basis.
What I eventually hope to do is scratchbuild a brass version of the Walthers Bascule Bridge, using the kit pieces for reference. I figure that a brass bridge might get slightly bent, but suffer nowehere near the damage that a plastic bridge would sustain. I’ve already done a traveling bridge crane in brass, so this would be familiar territory for me…
Well, it doesn’t operate unless you are mechanically inclined, and the length isn’t quite enough, but it does look impressive: http://www.cmrtrain.com/lift.html
MY GUESS is the '‘WALTHERS’ bridge is for looks only, and too flimsy for repeated lifting and lowering, without considerable reinforcement.
You are better off forgetting ‘looks’ and buildi a lifting ‘Gate’, then disguising it with a ‘Kit’… In this instance,FUNCTION takes precedance, 'cause it’s moving.
Unfortunately there is no commercial ’ Bridge made.for your application, which requires Carpentry skills @ $40-$50 per hr. Better to cut a 3/4" board to fit, & hinge one end… Getting the other end to STOP (& line up) is a geater ‘engineering’ challenge.- but I’m not a carpenter…
The only bridge I know of that is srong enough is made of metal and covered with plastic. Anchoring then becoms the problem.(Micro-Engineering)… Tracks don’t bend 90o, and how do you keep an engine from running off the layout when the ‘gate’ is open.? (safety interlock)…
Go visit a '‘Module Club’ at a train show - and pay close attention to how they ‘close their loop’.