Modular sys Access Bridge

[kluts]

Hello. New to the forum! Nice posts here.

I have an issue you experts out there might want to advise on.

we are a modular railroad group belonging to a European organization. (see http://www.ete.org)

Some of our members are getting stiff legged so we want to build a gateway access, aka access bridge. It cannot conventionally swing up, alas. we run catenary overhead wire, which creates all sorts of headaches in the lift-up with hinge arrangement. Attached (I hope) is a pdf showing sketch alternatives.

Here's one, a lift pin and swing arrangement.
View attachment 28734
View attachment 28736



And another, a swing-away with staggered points to accommodate overhead wires.
View attachment 28735


Thoughts?

 

[ianacole]

With a pivot bridge you have to take into acount that the diagonal measurement is longer than the centerline measurement, meaning you will have to round the corners at the far end from the pivot point. Not ideal, unless you lift first the necessary distance to clear the table surface and then pivot.

Can you do a swing down bridge, leaving the catenary wires suspended across the span?

 

[kluts]

...you will have to round the corners at the far end from the pivot point. Not ideal, unless you lift first the necessary distance to clear the table surface and then pivot....Can you do a swing down bridge, leaving the catenary wires suspended across the span?

Thanks. Yes, am considering the arc for the swing, but the thought is to raise the bridge up and then swing.

To swing down the bridge would do little to help the main issue, ducking or crawling since the OH catenary is only about 90-100mm higher than rail top. Bench level is 42" so wire level at pantograph height would be only 45+.

But your comments are helpful... Thank you

 

[ianacole]

Is the catenary going with the swinging bridge? If so, it could go with the drop bridge. You could also do a split drop bridge, splitting the bridge in the middle. You could, for that matter, do dual lift-swing bridges, split in the middle and pivoting at either end.