Does anyone have the cross sectional dimensions of the Kato Curved Plate Girder Bridge Section? I need to open up a radius to 19" to handle longer locomotives but I am curious as to the need to do some "custom fabrication" to allow clearance when I want to operate auto racks.
Like other Kato Unitrack deck girder bridges (and all viaducts,) the clearance is the same as the height of the piers at the ends of it, less the rail height and road bed of the Unitrack underneath. If you need more clearance, you're pretty much stuck with through truss or plate girder bridges. Surgery on a deck girder bridge could compromise the physical integrity of the bridge. Hope this helps.
I have a spot on my railroad where I'll need to fit a #6 Kato N Scale switch, but will need a portion it to be on a bridge. There's no way to make it look great, but I'm thinking of kitbashing a few plate girder bridges to make a ballasted deck version of what's seen in my photo here. [Bethlehem, PA - October 1980]
There is also a Unitrack doubletrack plate girder bridge that might be a good starting point. Note the picture for it on their website is incorrect. Here is an image from Walthers:
It's been 35+ years since I was last there, but you're right I think. I took the photo near the yellow arrow and I'm guessing where JU was. I think it's been razed.
Thank you -- I didn't know that Kato made such a bridge, ballasted decks and all. I agree, likely a good starting point!
Shoot, it looks like the entire CNJ Bethlehem engine terminal is now gone, turntable, roundhouse and all. I guess I shouldn't be surprised after so many years.
Looks like the bridge is .... .... still there, but only with the divergent track remaining.... 40.613802111252504, -75.38484095503098 Sumner
The turntable and pit were gone under Conrail in the Eighties, IIRC. It took them a long time to demo the old roundhouse, due to it being full of asbestos.
Thanks Sumner -- I didn't know that. It's clear that I'd be quite astonished if I were to visit there again.
BTW, that's Bethlehem's Union Station marked by the arrow, opened 1924 by the LV and RDG. The CNJ's remains, across the Lehigh River. The Lehigh Valley's general offices stand on the other side of the bridge to the right. These are apartments today.
