Need help with placement of rivet plate on girder bridge

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I mentioned in another post recently that I am working on a Micro Engineering HO deck girder bridge for my MRRing club. However, I’ve run into a small snag. I’m trying to determine the correct placement of the long rivet plate but the instructions aren’t quite as clear as I would like them to be.

As recommended, I’ve sanded flat the top and bottom edges of the girders in order to knock the draft angle/parting line off of them. The instructions go on to say to

“center and cement the long rivet plate (4) to the edge of both girders. This will be the bottom of the bridge.”

Unfortunately, ME doesn’t provide either a picture or diagram to better convey what they mean.

I’ve taken a picture of the bottom side of the bridge. Is this what they are trying to convey?

(Click picture to enlarge)

The 85’ girder bridge has a single rivet plate the same width as the girder. The small bridge has this “double” wide plate. Is the rivet plate flush to the outer edge of the girder and the opposite side hang over the inner edge (unsupported)? (There is one for each side.)

I would appreciate if anyone could help clear this up for me. Many thanks.

Tom

2

I suspect you’ve got two sets, split the one and run down each side of girder, save the second.

3

Before I do anything drastic, does Micro Engineering have a web site?

Tom

4

Your photo shows two “rivet plates” (actually cover plates) connected to each other. Cut the strips apart (discarding the sprue between them), and glue them to the bottom of each girder, centered end to end and side to side. The other 2 go on top if you want extra accuracy, but generally aren’t visible enough to be worth adding.

5

Thanks, fellas! [:)][tup]

Tom