I was recently given a copy of MR’s “A Realistic HO Layout for Beginners” by Lou Sassi." In going through it I noticed that on page 45, figure 3-17, there is an obvious error in the right-hand assembly diagram for the Deck Plate bridge. The dashed lines in the diagram have the cross bracing and lengths of 3/16" basswood attached to the bottom to the sides at one end and at the top of the sides at the other! Now, obviously, the 3/16" stock goes at the upper edge of the side girders. But does the section of cross bracing go between the 3/16" stock, just below it, or does it attach at the bottom of the side girders? It can be interpreted in any of these three ways in the diagram. Which is correct?
I e-mailed Lou Sassi about this, and he doesn’t recall the project well enough to answer your questions. He doesn’t have the layout at home any more, but it’s still nearby, and he promised to let me know the next time he can take a look at it. I’ll pass on whatever I hear from him.
“I pulled up my original diagrams and according to them the plastic girders
would be glued to the inside bottom edge of each of the 3/16th pieces of
basswood.”
Thanx Andy. This is a really nice looking, short span bridge and I’ve actually got all the cut up pieces to make it up sitting on my workbench right now. Lou’s answer is logical but I wanted to be absolutely sure before putting glue to styrene! Thanx again.