Our N Scale brass bridges are now in stock and shipping to dealers! Quantities are limited and our stock is going fast; we recommend placing an order very soon if you're interested in these models. As a little side note, here are a few pictures of interest regarding the bridges... Both Silver & Black together at last! Just like PB&J... Here we compare the prototype to the model - Finally, these bridges were designed for accuracy and scale fidelity. While we're not offering these in kit form, we figure anyone can appreciate the remarkable nature of this brass model. Each model takes 25-30 hours to assemble! You must see these models in person to really appreciate the attention to detail. We'll have new announcements at the National Train Show in two weeks! Stay tuned!
Read a little more carefully, Rob. "While we're not offering these in kit form, we figure anyone can appreciate the remarkable nature of this brass model." FWIW, these models were NOT designed for consumer assembly. The fact that these models were designed for exact scale dimensions and fidelity makes the kit versions extremely complex. While it isn't impossible, it would be incredibly difficult to assemble one of these models without knowing the tricks used during production in the factory.
Hey Craig, exceptional work on these! Are you going to supply the dodgy supports, too? If only it was double track and skewed slightly to the right, but the AU$ is excellent presently... hmmm...
On the third girder in, the 207th rivet up is 1/2" further to the left than on the prototype. Being an NTraker I'm concerned about clearance. These will clear double stacks? Auto racks? Skybox cars? Older steam engines that are a little wider than they should be?
Thanks guys! We'll do additional bridge styles in the future should production time permit. These are selling extremely well and it looks like we'll be sold out in a matter of weeks. Leo, the prototype was built in the early 1930's and had BIG steam roll through it. Furthermore, the height is more than adequate for double-stacks and other tall rolling stock. Lastly, you better go back and count again, I'm pretty sure we nailed all the rivet locations...
If you didn't know...in addition to N Scale double stacks and skybox cars often being 2-4 feet higher than their prototype when measured in scale, a number of late 1970's early 1980's steam had pistons, valve gear etc on the front that was wider than the prototype, by a significant margin. I've seen single track tunnel portals the stuff wouldn't clear. It's documented in one of the NTrak books. My recommendation to anyone who makes a bridge, tunnel portal, etc is to get an NTrak gauge and clearly mark if it clears it or not. It's a selling feature. That said, another idea. The bridge you make is also very similar to a quite popular automobile bridge of the same era. While we often think of our track first, having a auto bridge over the same river/ravine/etc is often prototypical. I would suggest where the bridge designs are similar (I think for this one making it wider and designing a concrete deck is all you need) making an auto version of the same bridge may be quite interesting.
Beautiful Craig! The photo of the model and prototype together really shows the extent of detail that you put into the models you are doing. I love it. Just wish I had a place to use one.
