I am modeling I-70 through glenwood canyon and have layed the foundation for the bike trail and part of one of the lanes(lower) using masonite. I am now trying to figure out what i should use for the guard rails on the sides of the interstate. The road is made of .60 styrene. I don’t know if angle styrene would work ok maybe anyone have some better ideas i would love to hear them, and if angle styrene by plastruct or evergreen is the way to go what is the largest size that i should get it needs to be somewhat thick because i do want to put a small railing on top just like prototype. Keep in mind i need it to be somewhat flexable because of the small grades up and down that the road has. Always get good ideas here so if you have any let me hear them please thanks, also any ideas for the piers for the upper tier of the interstate. If pics are needed i will send you some let me know.
The book you are looking for is " Wooing a Harsh Mistress: Glenwood Canyon’s Highway Odyssey", by John Haley. It is out of print, but several weeks ago there were some copies available on Amazon.com If you are modeling the canyon, it is a must have, with lots of canyon history and photos of the construction.
My wife gave me an autographed copy for my birthday just after it’s release.
I looked at the road on Youtube. Looks like the concrete barrier on the uphill side is the “Jersey Barrier” profile and the downhill side is an 18" or 2 ft thick x 3 ft tall above the pavement with a 4" pipe railing on stanchions about a foot above the top of the concrete. For the 2 x 3 in HO I would try something like 1/4" x 3/8" basswood or styrene, maybe hollow styrene or Plastruct rectangular tube. 4" pipe could be made with 1/32 welding or brazing rod. You’re on your own for the stanchions.
Youtube has videos from both the road and from the railroad side.