Prototype Girder Bridge Support

[GNMT76]

My c. 1947-55 layout (the GN in Montana) has a 40-foot long dry creek bed and a through girder bridge in need of a supporting structure.

In the prototype, would a girder bridge ever be supported across its entire length by a trestle only or, as I've seen in a few photos, by stone or concrete piers with a small wooden trestle anchored in the ground at each end?

Thanks!

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Do you mean like this?

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Another photo....

 

[GNMT76]

Sirfoldalot,

Precisely! Thanks for the photos.

 

[Greg@mnrr]

Or try this approach....

Simple concrete footings...no guarantees.

Greg

 

[GNMT76]

Or try this approach....

View attachment 28615

Simple concrete footings...no guarantees.

Greg

Greg,

Simple and less than elegant. And I bet that car is going for cheap!

 

[cv_acr]

My c. 1947-55 layout (the GN in Montana) has a 40-foot long dry creek bed and a through girder bridge in need of a supporting structure.

In the prototype, would a girder bridge ever be supported across its entire length by a trestle only or, as I've seen in a few photos, by stone or concrete piers with a small wooden trestle anchored in the ground at each end?

Thanks!

The point of a steel girder bridge is to span an unsupported gap. It would be supported at each end, not in the middle.

If a clear span wasn't required, they could just build the wooden trestle straight across the entire distance.

 

[GNMT76]

I've opted to go with a different style crossing instead. My partially-built thru girder bridge (kit) is now for sale. See the "Items for Sale" thread for details.