Bridge Blues

[3rdrail]

I have the two Kato double trackers that I posted above. Removing the track for each is easy, but results in two different "sub surface" levels.  :

I'm leaning heavily toward the Walthers truss kit at the moment.

I don't see the problem with the "sub-surface levels" as in many cases the bridge abutments are stepped on the prototype depending on how much bridge structure on varying components are below the rail.

Like so:            -----|____

[Mark5]

how would that work on the pier connecting the two?

[3rdrail]

how would that work on the pier connecting the two?

Same way, the top has two levels, one for each bridge. See this often where one is a through girder and the other is a truss.

[Mark5]

ah I see. 

Well this whole thing sorta forced me to take a second look. I was never totally thrilled with the Kato truss (something about the shape/proportions seems different than what I'm used to seeing in the 1:1 world).

The Walthers truss seems to have the "feel" that I'm looking for. I may just plant that one between two abutments and be done with it.

In reality I need to sort out a bit further just how much or little bridge I can work into this scene before I make the final call.

Thanks for all the input.

Mark

[wm3798]

To illustrate the scenario...

Lee

[Zox]

My favorite crazy-mixed-up bridge:

[Lucas in Alaska]

Rob,
 Darn it!! You put up pics like that and it makes me miss home. I used to live just 2 miles from that bridge.

It's the KBS just 2 miles south of Donovan, IL. I would some day like to model it and I have a lot of photo's  from the NW side. Some more research needs to be done. I want to find out if it was ever a two track bridge because if you look at parts of the bridge are wide enough for another line.

Thanks for the pic. (it sure looks like the one I took ;D)

Lucas
Sitka, Alaska
Missing the Midwest

[Mark5]

Speaking of Bridges ...

Does anyone make bridge shoes in N scale?

HO my ME:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/255-80034

[160pennsy]

Does anyone make bridge shoes in N scale?

ME also makes them in N:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product_p/mec-80-178.htm

[Mark5]

Does anyone make bridge shoes in N scale?

ME also makes them in N:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product_p/mec-80-178.htm

Interesting. Walthers has that part # as HO. ???

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=&scale=&manu=&item=&keywords=bridge+shoe&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search

I'm gonna go with this being another Walthers goof.

Thanks!

[Mark5]

Gotta love the Walthers website:

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-3242

It lists it as on sale today for $15, but out of stock ...

[wm3798]

I use tiny bits of styrene.  Usually a "T" profile from Plastruct.  The dern things are so small in N scale, all I want is something to serve as a spacer so it doesn't look like Mr. Bridge is sitting right on Miss Pier's lap...

Lee

[TrainCat2]

Does sound cozy for the bridge though Lee.

Depends on the type of bridge and application. Many deck and thru girders dont use shoes. Instead, they use a bearing plate and slide around on that.

.

[Zox]

I would some day like to model it and I have a lot of photo's  from the NW side. Some more research needs to be done. I want to find out if it was ever a two track bridge because if you look at parts of the bridge are wide enough for another line.

I just put several rather large (600MB or so apiece) photos online, that I shot from the southeast side of the junction in December 2005: http://lordzox.com/railfan/ . Not indexed in any way; you're on your own.

I hope to do a Smart-N module of Iroquois Junction someday. Not only does it look like there may have been double track going over the top once upon a time, but there's enough room for the lower line to be double track as well.

[Lucas in Alaska]

Rob,
 Thanks so much for the link.

The KBS court photo, was that taken in Sheldon?

Do you need photos from the other side? I don't know where they are right now but I could keep an eye out for them in the future if you need them.

Looking at the number of cars it looks as if the bridge length is about 550' it which comes out to about 3.5ft. not bad but on a layout it would chew up a lot of space. This is not really a bridge you can compress but it is beautiful in it's own sorta try everything way.

Lucas