I'd downloaded your layout a while back but today went back and made a couple screen dumps of it and thought I'd share those here for those that couldn't download them. Hope you don't mind. You have put a lot of thought into this and really like how you have the pictures associated with the different track sections. Very nice. I could easily make some more detailed shots of the sections if you wanted them to post or use however. Just let me know. I like doing computer work, Sumner
Sumner, thank you for posting my layout drawings and compliments. I can't see them on my phone but now you helped me to see again. LOL If you want post the other drawing sheets that would be great. I downloaded the photos to my gallery images for future reference and to show people how the layout looks. Your help is greatly appreciated!!! Joe
The total length of the four bridges is 22+11.25(3)=55.75 inches. Will cut one of bridges to about 7 inches and then the total will be 51.5 inches. The current opening on module 05 is 40 inches soon to become 50 inches, the remaining 1.5 inches of foam will be carved for the river bank details. Joe
Not sure if this is what you want or not so let me know. You can right click on these one at a time and then click on 'copy image address' and paste them into a post using the image insert and explain what is going on one picture at a time. Hope this helps, Sumner
Thank you for posting the drawings Somner!!! They look fantastic and I will download them to my gallery images. Having the drawings on my phone is very convenient and don't have to open my laptop to see them. Joe
I ran into a problem with the eBay ad, it said there is free shipping but that's not the case. The seller contacted me and said there is $38.00 shipping cost, so I cancelled the order. Today I ordered the bridge from a place in Atlanta GA called Hobby Linc, in the long run I saved money and will be delivered around November 19th. Joe
This afternoon I finished the drawings for module 05. As it turns out I only need three bridges, one for the main span and two for the rest of the bridge. The main span is a Tomix arched bridge that is 22 inches long and two Central Valley truss bridges that is 11.25 inches long each. Total length is 44.5 inches. Joe The drawing scale is one square equals two inches.
I was looking at the Arkansas River bridge and believe that the towers at each end of the main span will have to be scratch built. The towers hold the cable reels and counter balance. I don't have plans to make the main span workable but would like to be able to place the bridge at the top or track level. Also noticed the bridge to the left of the main span is an arched bridge same as the main span. Will have to shop for a shorter one than the main. It has been a while since I looked at the photo, glad I did so I can get the bridge to look right. Joe
Challenging but can always build the whole thing from scratch. https://www.nscale.net/forums/album.php?albumid=1138
Lift bridges are so cool. Each time I see a photo of one, I wonder how Engineers handle the effects of thermal expansion on a structure that demands perfect alignment throughout its travel. A steel bridge like the one above perhaps expands and contracts by 6"? Perhaps the bridge isn't locked to the towers, but instead rests on bearing surfaces that are tied to the towers. The New Haven's at Buzzard's Bay, MA is enormously long and very tall. [Picture from Capecodrails.com]
Looking at this video, it appears the center lift section sort of floats between the two towers. My guess is the rollers / wheels, that run along the vertical part of the tower has some sort of tension system to allow for expansion and contraction. I've also seen photos of the special "frog" type of track used on both ends of the lift bridge, that also allows for the rail on the bridge to expand and contract.
Wow, that's some impressive footage. You're right -- I see too that the bridge section is definitely guided up and down by vertical rails on the towers. Sadly, the PRR's DOCK Tower in Harrison, NJ was closed just two years ago. One of the last manned towers in NJ, it controlled two huge multiple-track lift bridges over the Passaic River and associated mainline in the Newark station area with a 127 Lever interlocking machine. Just another awe-inspiring example of the mighty P Company's limitless engineering capability. [Photo from Dan Maner's excellent [ http://northamericaninterlockings.com ] site]
Thank you for your replies guys. I will scratch build the towers and buy the other bridges, to scratch build the whole thing would be a little more challenging than I want to get into. Joe
Found a Walther's arched truss bridge S/N 933-3870 that will be great for the bridge south, left, of the main span. It is 14-3/32 x 2 x 3-1/2 and the Central Valley bridge is 11-1/4 inches long. The CV bridge will be cut to mate with the main span towers. Main span is already assembled and the other two are kits, can't wait to get them. Joe Walther's arched truss bridge.
I received the Tomix arched truss bridge today, a day early!!! The next thing to do is cut it to make it a single track bridge. Will do that when I receive the other bridges next month so they will all be the same width or close. Joe
Thank you for your compliment. The cross pieces are just plain plastic with no details so it will be easy to replace with 0.125 plastic rod. There are nine cross braces and eight sets of diagonal pieces altogether. I will make the diagonals before the bridge is cut just to make sure it is as easy as I think. Joe
Cynthia and I are in Owasso today and I stopped by Top Shelf Hobbies to buy a couple of packages of 0.125 styrene to make new cross braces for the main span bridge. Will try to start on them tonight. Joe