Okay so who makes bridge shoes in n scale? I'm willing to look at all kinds of styles right now. Also, I noticed in my search for parts I run across similar items under different names. If bridge shoes are not the appropriate name than can someone please provide it for me? Thank you for the help.
Definition Bridge shoe An iron or steel casting which transfers the weight of a bridge to its supports. One end is normally a solid mounting while the opposite end allows for expansion and contraction. From Model Railroader Magazine definitions. The Kalmbach bridge book has a few pictures. In N scale, it might not be too significant to have the ends be different. I don't know of a company that makes this detail. I have used styrene shapes like I beams, solid strips, etc. It does look nice, for detail purposes, to not have the bridge just resting on the abutment, IMHO.
I see bridge footings on the site, but not shoes. Of course, I have "teenage eyes"--sometimes I can't see what's right in front of my face.
Greg, It depends on what kind of bridge you are building as to what kind of shoe you want. The micro-engineering shoes are for a deck plate girder. I dont know about the Fine N-scale products shoes if they are for a Truss or a deck girder. If you need some for a truss if you are at a show the UNW is attending talk to myself or Dave Montgomery cause he has some he has made a resin casting of.
I've simply cut small pieces of rail, cleaned them up with a needle file, then cemented them with CA to the underside of the exposed girder or beam, depending on what kind of bridge your building. Then paint them flat black and detail with a little rust. Only the most skillful nit-picker will know the difference.
I have used the FNS shoes for the micro engineering stuff in the past. I am looking for the kind used for a truss. It looks like FNS has some as they are included with their bridge piers. These look pretty close to the ones I need. Nevertheless, when I see you guys at fircrest I'll ask about them.
Greg, I will only be at fircrest on Sunday, however, I will be attending Roys op session that he has annually on Saturday night. If you are there on Saturday I highly recommend you attend it. It is definitelly worth the visit.
