I'm going to be scratch building some bridges for the layout and I'm loking for reference or knowledge as to what bridge types and why they were used for specific applications. I have a gorge with a river to cross on a slight radius and I'm considering open deck type but I have seen pictures where a couple type bridges were used on the same crossing. Does anyone have a link to share or some knowledge about bridges. Sure appreciate it man.
Deck bridges are generally cheaper than thru trusses. Multiple deck spans with a single thru truss span is usually done for clearance reasons, with the thru truss over a waterway or road. For general info try wiki or this: https://historicbridgefoundation.com/bridge-types/ I have several bridge books, found Mallery's to be the most useful by far and highly recommend it: https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Trestle-Handbook-Paul-Mallery/dp/0911868798 Best resource for finding a prototype to model: https://bridgehunter.com/
NPRR284 - Hardcoaler and NtheBasement have given you good advice. Deck girder bridges are used up to approx 90 ft span. Truss bridges are used for larger spans. There are nice pictures of both in HardCoaler's book photo above, looks like Central Valley for truss and ME for deck bridge. MicroEngineering makes 40ft and 80ft deck girder versions, Atlas also has a nice deck girder. Kato probably has the most common N through-truss bridge but there are other very nice versions from Central Valley, Atlas and Walthers. Also worth mentioning is Micro Engineering's 200ft+ viaduct bridge made up of multiple 40ft/80ft deck girders and high girder towers. Other longer truss bridges are available from foreign vendors, (see Walther's catalog). For earlier eras, there are wooden trestles. - Tonkphilip
NPRR284 - I see that you want to scratchbuild your bridge. Micro Engineering and Central Valley offer a lot of parts for scratchbuilding parts. Many of the best bridges that I have seen, use the strong base of the kato bridge as a start. There have also been a couple of bridges on Trainboard recently that have been scratchbuilt.
You say you are wondering about bridges? Found this website that maybe can be help about the prototype: https://bridgehunter.com/
Thanks fellas. You've been of great help. I think bridges are the best features of a layout and I'm kinda particular of using the right bridge/ bridges for the 2 foot span across the river. Great stuff here man and really appreciate it. Time to get some reading in.
It often happens in our modeling that we need to have a bridge on a curve. I have built a couple of bridges similar to what you are describing. Here some links to blog posts I have made on these. This one was made using a Micro Engineering kit over a river gorge on my home layout. It has a slight curve. https://palisadecanyonrr.blogspot.com/2020/02/building-curved-steel-trestle-part-2.html Here is another on one of my Ntrak modules that passes over the 3 tracks. It was made using sides cut from an old Atlas girder bridge and also has a curve and an open deck. There was enough clearance so the girders are below track level. http://tokyo-in-nscale.blogspot.com/2014/04/installing-grider-bridge.html http://tokyo-in-nscale.blogspot.com/2012/11/building-girder-bridge-part-1.html http://tokyo-in-nscale.blogspot.com/2012/11/building-girder-bridge-part-2.html Here is another made from the sides of Atlas girder bridges. This one is over a highway and needed to be a through girder to get the clearance. It is also curved and ballasted deck. http://tokyo-in-nscale.blogspot.com/2019/07/another-curved-railroad-bridge-part-2.html The last two examples are Japanese prototype so that why they are the colors they are.
Speaking of bridges, there was a MC/NYC/PC plate girder bridge in New Lenox, IL over the WAB/ N&W/NS. About 50-60' long. It had no ballast, ties, etc. Rails bolted directly to floor of bridge. Saw many other bridges on that branch line (Joliet Cutoff), but that is ONLY one like it I've seen anywhere. Has anyone else seen this ???
I can describe steps that I took to build a bridge over an aisle. Initially I just wanted the chord height to look right for the span but I got carried away. Your 2-foot span would be 320 feet, normally a thru-truss. I was looking for one a little larger. I didn't want to do lattice work so finding a modern one was a challenge. Bought the Mallery book. Started walking up the Ohio River on Google Earth looking for bridges with the span I was looking for. Cross referenced each bridge on bridgehunter for photos and specs. The Ohio turns out to be Lattice City. Found one eventually in Sioux Falls that BNSF replaced in the '80s. Added the two piers to my layout which determined the exact length. Used the Google Earth measuring tool and photos to draw out top and half a side plan. Printed them, setting the zoom on the printer so they would properly print to scale. Bought all the styrene, probably $100. Put the plan under glass and built the sides. Built the deck, added the sides. Added all the top cross bracing, then the internal cross bracing. Painted and added track. Never did add handrails.
See the album here: https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/albums/bnsf-through-truss-in-n-scale.1285/ Not sure why I can't insert an image.
Here's some examples of what you can do. The arch bridge is two bridges made into one and is a double tracked for a N scale main. Never mind the ones closest to you in the picture. Two of these bridges have been replaced after someone said "What the hell are they?" Thanks Greg M. I appreciate a reality check. LOL
Here's another view of the two bridges with trains running across them. This isn't a crystal clear picture but will give you a feel for the action these bridges saw. They were later replaced and I'm looking for a picture or video slideshow to show you what I did. My intention was to show off a number of improvements and new train equipment to the layout. You can still see the bridges and like it or not. Found the video slideshow. It's all about choices and you don't have to like what you did and you can change it. Nothing wrong with that. Incidentally those two Girder bridges ended up on Steve H's, HO scale layout where he made a curved bridge out of them. Turned out amazingly good. I don't think I have pictures but will get back here if I find one.
Steve H's HO Scale Layout. I found the video slideshow I made of Steve's Layout. Enjoy! If you like Bridges you'll like what Steve Built. Steve is no longer with us. Not sure what's happened to his layout. Glean what you can from this video and he would want you to feel free to copy his work. No bigger compliment. If that isn't what you were looking for. Well...I tried. Later!
There are three selection boxes on my screen. Hit or click on " Upload File " and it should take you to your files. There you can select one and "Open " it. You should find it on your screen at the bottom of the post. You can once again click on "Full Screen" and your picture will appear where you put your "Cursor" I hope that helps.
Thx. Was trying to provide a link to a pic already in my album here on TB instead of duplicating the storage using the toolbar's "Image" button, which I couldn't get to work. Should have looked further at the "Media Gallery Embed" button which seems to do what I wanted: Finished bridge by NtheBasement posted Apr 28, 2012 at 1:17 AM "Upload a File" button is OK:
Nthebasement, what a nick. I like it! I just decided you need to build me a bridge or two. Nice, very nice.
Back when I was active here I posted images of many of the long-span bridges on my layout in Albuquerque.
Pete, don't think for a minute they (the pictures of the bridges and boats) weren't appreciated. Along with other things you used to post here. You've been missed. Glad to see you back.