I am constructing a large trestle. I am looking for the correct spacing between the ties for the bridge. I don’t care if it is the protype but what looks best. I have looked in four books and have seen four different answers. I am using atlas flex track with all the spacer cut out. I was planning on using a 6" spacer. What do you think. Thanks in advance for your answers. This is HO Scale.
Harold
Hmmmmm…don’t know exactly, but Micro Engineering makes a widely used bridge track in N, HO etc. I believe my LHS has it; if possible maybe you could visit your LHS and measure the spacing then duplicate it on your Atlas track? I could not find the tie spacing listed online for the ME bridge track. I will probably be using the ME n-scale bridge track when the time comes, although I may just follow your approach and modify my Atlas flex. Jamie
Typical bridge ties were 8"x8"x8’ with 7" spacing between them. Regular flextrack, even if the tie spacing is adjusted, won’t look right because they aren’t thick enough. I recommend handlaying of wooden ties of the correct dimensions or use special bridge-tie flex track such as offered by ME.
If you want to use regular flextrack, employ a ballasted deck over the bridge. You won’t have to make any adjustments to the regular flex track except to add the inner guard rails. Besides, this is the typical construction method on contemporary US railroads.
Mark
I used ME flex bridge track. The ties are also a little longer. I tried your idea on some short trestles, but will replace it when I finish the sceniking.
In “Model Railroad Bridges & Trestles”, Kalmbach I found 9x12’’ ties and 4’’ spacing.
Wolfgang
How long is the trestle? A couple lengths of ME bridge track isn’t that expensive, and, especially on a scratchbuilt trestle, will look a lot more prototypical. Besides the proper tie spacing, you’ll also get guard rails, guard timbers, and four platforms with fire barrels
Wayne
The trestle is 152’. I looked in ME website but could not find the Bridge track we are talking about. Any idea of the part # and cost. Thanks
Harold
Whawhawha? Micro Engineering has their own website now? Either way, you should be able to find the bridge track at Walthers. I know last time I was looking around for HOn3 stuff they had the HOn3 bridge track.
I googled “Micro Engineering”, which took me to the Walthers site - click on “view product line”. The Walthers number is 255-11101 for code 83 track, or 255-11103 for code 70 - the guard rails included with these are code 70 and code 55, respectively. For either size, the price is $10.20 per 3’ length and one will be more than enough for your trestle.
Wayne
Thank you all for your suggestions. Thanks Wayne. I have called my LHS and ordered the bridge track.
Central Valley has bridge tie strips, but you have to add your own rail.