just wondering when I left Kitchener tonight going home I passed this bridge http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=138100&nseq=4 which got me thinking. Do you model this type or similar bridge where if the train derails it has nowhere to go but down and if so do you worry about a derailment when your trains cross it? The current bridge on my layout is a single track truss bridge, quite safe.
The only problem I see is that the first bridge is that it’s the wrong color. It should be oxide red…[:D] (Mark Newton will get that one. It’s been mentioned on another thread, a while ago.)
Properly maintained track on bridges is no more dangerous than properly maintained track on fills is no more dangerous than properly maintained track barely raised off level land. The only bridge-related problem I’ve ever heard of involved severe cross winds - and the problem was with empty hi-cubes and lightly-loaded stack cars, not locomotives or loaded coal gons.
When I start building track that will be visible, I will have several deck girder bridges where the ties will overhang the girders, part of a sidehill route up a gorge where a ten car train will simultaneously be crossing three bridges and passing through two tunnels. Since I build bulletproof trackwork I don’t have any problem with that, any more than my prototype would - or, maybe I should say, does.
I would have some kind of protection to stop falling over. Bridges like that have inner guard rails so if something derails it wont travel very far. There are speed restrictions on bridges like that also.
None of my brass is going to be allowed to take a dive, but I will have mountainous trackage, so theres always the risk, but you can work in some scenicked protection.
Yup. I’ve got a steel viaduct on my HO Yuba River Sub that is about 100 scale feet high, four actual feet long and built on a 34" radius curve. Plus its on a 2% downgrade. Has inside guardrails and a 25smph speed limit. Haven’t lost a train yet. Just like the prototype. And actually, considering some of the other model high bridges I’ve seen (and a lot of prototypical ones too–say the Pecos River viaduct on the old SP “Sunset Route” in Texas), mine’s kind of a little fellow, LOL!
I’ve often thought of that myself. In theory it says that a train will not fall off because of the rails; where can it go but forward or backward, but then again there is Mr. Murphy. I have track that is inches from the edge of my layout which is a product killing drop off; hence why I have installed clear plastic guardrails so if it derails it will not plummet to the concrete many scale feet below. Since I have a movable 4X8 my chances of bumping it is good (I have never had a derailment on that particular piece of track knock on wood) I leave it there just in case.
None for me! Although there is about a 45 degree slope than a 3 foot drop to the floor if a pusher loco on the rear of a train shoves too hard at the summit… [:-^]
No accidents so far there except for a bunch of stringlining ones into the mountain, perfectly safe there.
tomikawaTT, if everything is perfect there should be no problems, like you say. Still when the men and women that run the trains go over the high trestles they must get a strange feeling at times. I know I would.
dinwitty, I agree with you totally and feel the same about my rolling stock. It is not even brass but still I am fond of all of it.
Selector, nice work.
Twhite, love that trestle, that will be one sharp looking layout.
Craig, yeah a kraut that used to live in Kitchener. Still like going there for Octoberfest, largest outside of Germany. Just changed my interest in railroads, for me the North American scene is a step up.
Loathar, I hear you, it would be a difficult thing to do. Mind you when you drive in your car there are also some pretty large bridges that can be crossed. It is just that there is some type of protection and you are low to the ground so it is more difficult to look over the railing.
dale8chevyss , good thinking with the clear plastic guard rails, will have to do the same.
wm3798, you are right that is a crazy bridge.
TrainManTy, glad to hear that you have been fortunate not to have any accidents.
