I’m thinking of buying an Atlas 40’ Hy Cube boxcar, but I need to know if I can run it through my modern Lionel bascule bridge or if the Hy Cube would be too tall.
Anyone know the answer?
When I reviewed the modern Bascule bridge in the July 98 issue, I noted in the review that the bridge has a 4 1/2 inch by 3 3/4 inch clearance for equipment to pass. I don’t know the dimensions of the hi-cube,but I suspect not.
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There is a non-structural stamped truss at the end of the bridge that you can easily remove to increase the headroom. With that removed, you have 4 3/4 inches above the rail head.
Here is a link to a description of how someone lowered the bridge deck to get a substantial increase in clearance: https://sites.google.com/site/basculebridge/basqual-bridge-1
I just found a web site with clear profile pictures of the Atlas cars. I measured the pictures and multiplied the height/length ratio of the pictures by the scale length of a 40-foot car (10 inches) to get 4 inches as the models’ height from the rail head. That should work, even with an unmodified bascule bridge.
Bob-
Thanks. I’ll probably go ahead and buy the Atlas Hy-Cube boxcar, unless someone replies to this thread and says they tried it and it didn’t work.
I’ll keep in mind that the truss at the end of the bridge can be removed in case I run into trouble.
Atlas 40’ Hy-Cube stands four and one eighth inches (4 1/8) above tubular railhead. We have a go here bayshore.
Getting it within 3% using photogrammetry is pretty good Bob.
Thanks, Webenda for that photo. I’m definitely going to buy an Atlas Hy-Cube car.