My new Layout

[Lynnb]

How come no one told me how goofy the bottom braces that connect the bents look? They caused a lot of issues so will have to go.

 

[Johne230]

Lynn I would lose all the diagonal braces on both sides except the lowest ones and I would make them horizontal from the bottom of the second lowest bent to the lowest bent where ever it hits.Actually now that I am really looking at the trestle bridge it should have diaganal cross bracing from bent to bent on both sides from top to bottom.That would make for a structurally sound bridge.Would also create a lot more work for you.

 

[logandsawman]

How come no one told me how goofy the bottom braces that connect the bents look?
.

I thought those were just to help hold the thing together and not part of the final structure.

 

[Burlington Bob]

If you search for "railroad trestles" you can find examples where diagonal bracing was done like yours but it doesn't seem to be as common. The one big difference was that they didn't seem to connect ALL of the bents together diagonally but rather just some.

 

[Lynnb]

Lynn I would lose all the diagonal braces on both sides except the lowest ones and I would make them horizontal from the bottom of the second lowest bent to the lowest bent where ever it hits.Actually now that I am really looking at the trestle bridge it should have diaganal cross bracing from bent to bent on both sides from top to bottom.That would make for a structurally sound bridge.Would also create a lot more work for you.

Thanks Johne, going to fix it up. I was going to put the criss cross sway braces but I ran short on wood.

 

[Lynnb]

I thought those were just to help hold the thing together and not part of the final structure.

I was just going with the flow , guess I was enjoying myself too much.

 

[Lynnb]

If you search for "railroad trestles" you can find examples where diagonal bracing was done like yours but it doesn't seem to be as common. The one big difference was that they didn't seem to connect ALL of the bents together diagonally but rather just some.

You are absolutely correct.

 

[Lynnb]

With the bent supports in place and bridge roughly in place I 'm going to see if I can tie the ends of the bench work into the scene. As you can see I also removed the bottom diagonal braces, looked too goofy for me. Will add sway braces when I get somemore wood.
Bridge sitting in place

I used card stock to give a rough in for the hill over the bent supports. white glue and staples.

Bridge back in place for test fit. Just enough clearance under the bents to add plaster cloth and build up a bit.

And now the fun begins to try to tie the benchwork into the scene, I also raised the bottom base.

 

[montanan]

That's going to be an impressive structure. Can't wait to a picture when the scenery is put in. Well done grasshopper.

 

[Johne230]

I like it!

 

[Burlington Bob]

Most excellent! How did you stain your wood?

 

[Lynnb]

Thanks guys

 

[Lynnb]

Is it me or is this the way a crazy person figures things out? Tempted to get some grocery bags stuffed with crumpled paper for support and stuff them under the paper and start putting down plaster cloth.

 

[Johne230]

No crazier then the rest of us all grown up and still playing with toys.

 

[logandsawman]

You may be suprised at what works.

I started with an old screen from a discarded window and ended up cutting it in strips and it made quite the substantial support for my hillside.

 

[saronaterry]

That is one awesome bridge!
Terry in NW Wisconsin

 

[Lynnb]

Most excellent! How did you stain your wood?

Missed your post Bob. I just use a mix of A/I. I've tried other methods but always seem to end up back with A/I or shoe dye and Alcohol.

 

[Lynnb]

Thanks guys for the thoughts.
Think I'm going to move the most bottom base up even more, just not feeling it the way it is.

 

[wombat457]

Lynn,

If your crazy, then so are the rest of us! When I built my first layout, I used scrunched up newspaper cover with plaster cloth and it worked okay but lacked the strength. If I even so much as 'lightly leaned on it' it would cave in and that was using 3 layers of plaster cloth.

lasms' idea of using screen mesh is a good one but I still believe in order of obtaining strength, everything needs to be supported by something from the base upwards. That is why I have gone for foam and plaster to form my mountains, and any rises in the landform. You have such a great looking bridge, I'd hate to see anything happen to it as a result of your surrounding landscape perhaps caving in on it for some reason.

 

[trailrider]

On my current layout, I admit to having used woven corregated cardboard strips, with plaster cloth over that in places that weren't apt to be disturbed. But anywhere strength was need, it's good ol' plaster-over-screenwire, followed by an overlay of plaster-of-paris. I've never tried it, but I've heard of some guys using cement over screenwire! I think he wanted to be able to walk on top of it! (Paul Bunyon complex???