D&J RailRoad
Professor of HO
I am starting this thread as I suspect there will be a lot of activity in the construction I am undertaking.
I have a section of my empire that was designed to have a bridge installed. At the time of construction, I didn't have any idea of what kind of bridge I was going to put there. The following video shows this gap.
The gap is a little over 500 scale feet or actually about 82".
As I have looked at quite a few designs, I have ruled out the truss type bridge because of the expanse of the canyon. I wanted something more substantial than viaduct type bridge. I happened upon the Canyon Diablo bridge one day and knew that was what I wanted to build.
I have found just about every picture and video on line about the bridge and have read about the history of the area from numerous perspectives. I've seen the N scale version of it that was built by an NMRA member but can't reach him for any details of his measurements or construction technique.
I am venturing out on my own to make estimates based on the available pictures and videos.
At first look, you would just assume this is all I beams, but look closer. You will see that all the beams are rectangular stock. Some completely closed like the main arch is and some with oblong holes or square plating riveted along the open sides.
So far, I have estimated the main arch beam to be a scale 1/2" tall and 3/8" wide. I can only figure this by comparing the arch beam to a locomotive that is passing over the bridge with pictures like this one.
The only choice of material 1/2" X 3/8" to build this bridge will have to be solid brass stock for the main arch. There is no source for hollow rectangular brass stock in the estimated dimension. Plastruc tubing is to flimsy and there is no such thing as solid plastic stock in the required dimension. I don't trust wood enough for this, plus it just wouldn't have the appearance of steel beams. There is aluminum stock but it will be difficult to weld. I'm not going to try glue on this nor will I use out of scale pins.
I bought a sample section of brass square tubing then painted it a flat black to compare to the picture above. It just didn't have the same look so I think I'll scrap the brass idea.
I have a section of my empire that was designed to have a bridge installed. At the time of construction, I didn't have any idea of what kind of bridge I was going to put there. The following video shows this gap.
The gap is a little over 500 scale feet or actually about 82".
As I have looked at quite a few designs, I have ruled out the truss type bridge because of the expanse of the canyon. I wanted something more substantial than viaduct type bridge. I happened upon the Canyon Diablo bridge one day and knew that was what I wanted to build.
I have found just about every picture and video on line about the bridge and have read about the history of the area from numerous perspectives. I've seen the N scale version of it that was built by an NMRA member but can't reach him for any details of his measurements or construction technique.
I am venturing out on my own to make estimates based on the available pictures and videos.
At first look, you would just assume this is all I beams, but look closer. You will see that all the beams are rectangular stock. Some completely closed like the main arch is and some with oblong holes or square plating riveted along the open sides.
So far, I have estimated the main arch beam to be a scale 1/2" tall and 3/8" wide. I can only figure this by comparing the arch beam to a locomotive that is passing over the bridge with pictures like this one.
The only choice of material 1/2" X 3/8" to build this bridge will have to be solid brass stock for the main arch. There is no source for hollow rectangular brass stock in the estimated dimension. Plastruc tubing is to flimsy and there is no such thing as solid plastic stock in the required dimension. I don't trust wood enough for this, plus it just wouldn't have the appearance of steel beams. There is aluminum stock but it will be difficult to weld. I'm not going to try glue on this nor will I use out of scale pins.
I bought a sample section of brass square tubing then painted it a flat black to compare to the picture above. It just didn't have the same look so I think I'll scrap the brass idea.
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