Best way to turn single track bridge to double track?

[KB02]

At the local train show last year, I picked up an Atlas Curved Chord Truss Bridge kit. It was a good deal at the end of the show and my money was easier for the seller to pack up at the end of the day than this kit was.
My modules are set up for double track main and this is only a single track bridge. I've been thinking of different ways to expand this to fit the second track. What would you all do?

I've looked around for a second bridge to just bash together and apparently this bridge was an investment opportunity when comparing what I paid to what people are asking for on eBay right now. But aside from the second matching kit, what other ideas might you have?

 

[bnsf971]

How are you at hand-laying track? You could make it a gantlet-track bridge. You "might" be able to find something pre-built, as far as track. That would add to your operations without adding to the wiring, or cut-and-splice of the bridge.

 

[Iron Horseman]

How are you at hand-laying track? You could make it a gantlet-track bridge. You "might" be able to find something pre-built, as far as track. That would add to your operations without adding to the wiring, or cut-and-splice of the bridge.

Yes, that is what I was going to say. Make a gauntlet track.

 

[bcp]

Bridge your gap with plywood, etc. and lay your two tracks on it.

Cut the sides off the Atlas bridge and fasten them to the side of the plywood.

Glue some structural plastic shapes across the top of the bridge sides in an IXIXI pattern.

Run trains.

Bruce

 

[KB02]

How are you at hand-laying track? You could make it a gantlet-track bridge. You "might" be able to find something pre-built, as far as track. That would add to your operations without adding to the wiring, or cut-and-splice of the bridge.

I never would have thought of that... Interesting...

 

[bcp]

The problem with gantlet track is that it is the same operationally as a short section of single track, but without the switches. One train has to wait for another to clear.

If you are not a tracklayer, put a switch at each end of the bridge for the same operation.

Bruce

 

[KB02]

I have thought about a wye as well, yes. Buying a second bridge kits appears cheaper than two wyes, though.

Seems I'm not the first with that thought, either:

Atlas Curved Cord Bridge

I've been a fan of these Atlas bridges for quite awhile, including when I put several of them on my first layout, the Central Midland. They are made by Roco of Austria, and are a fine quality product. On that original layout I sought out a double wide modification, and in that particular case...

forum.mrhmag.com

 

[Selector]

I agree with gauntlet track. Or the switches, but unless you hand-lay, or have them paid for already, it adds that much more cost. And it's not maintenance-free, like gauntlet track would be. You would have to learn how to make your own frogs, but it's all doable, like everything else a person sets his mind to.

If you're skilled, you could flip the bridge over and use a Dremel cut-off disk to cut the bridge surgically in half along the centerline of the deck. Then, insert some hardboard, Masonite, doorskin, Luan....whatever you can find...doesn't have to be thick or especially strong, just somewhat stiff, and glue a suitably wide length of it overtop the two deck halves. Clamp, or just support the trusses on each side so they don't want to fall outward and lift the new material away by leverage, but also put a length of 1X4 over the newly inlaid deck to keep it firmly pressed down for the glue's sake. Maybe place another pound of something, maybe a power tool battery, a big one, atop the plank for several hours. Should work.

I mention a thin material because you want to retain as much overhead clearance through the bridge's superstructure with higher rolling stock...if possible.

 

[Canalligator]

Bridge your gap with plywood, etc. and lay your two tracks on it.

Cut the sides off the Atlas bridge and fasten them to the side of the plywood.

Glue some structural plastic shapes across the top of the bridge sides in an IXIXI pattern.

Run trains.

Bruce

If your bridge is ballasted, the plywood would be ok. You could also put structural plastic across the bottom.

They did just this on a road bridge hereabouts. Turned a two lane bridge into a four lane.