Seaboard Central 2.0

[wazzou]

Here is a bridge I built some time ago.  The trestle is similar to the approach Chris used and is modeled after a specific prototype here in Washington on the branch I intend to model.
In fact, Chris just sent me some Central Valley stanchions that I intend to use for the railings on this.

[MichaelWinicki]

You're right, except now I am hampered by cooler weather.  I would like to take the whole layout outside to avoid paint fumes in the house (I have a ten-month old daughter).  So, I might as well do the wiring first.  Did I mention that I like to procrastinate when to comes to ballasting? 

Thanks for the great tip, though.  Maybe I could consider doing a small section at a time to limit the fumes.  Hmm...

DFF

Hey Dave, you may want to consider Floquil Paint markers.  They work very well... And no fumes.

I particularly like the "Grimy" marker found in the Building Set of 3 markers.

With one of those pens you could knock out the rail painting in no time at all.

[davefoxx]

You want skewed; I give you skewed! I stayed up late after last night and finished the trestle, well, except for some details, paint, and touch-ups. I look forward to fitting this into the layout. First, I'm off to the paint shop with the abutments. I may go ahead and spray paint the whole structure, because, as expected, the stained wood doesn't look creosoted to me. I'm hoping a light overspray of grimy black will help. That will also help match the color I paint my track.



I'm very happy with how this turned out. I also literally used up some of the dimensional lumber to the last piece. Good thing this bridge isn't any bigger.



DFF

[conrailthomas519]

Dave, That bridge looks cool! Be even better when your finished and installed.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Looks good!
Now get some NBW details on there to kick it up a notch.
With HCD layouts or smaller, every scene needs to be kick-a$$hat! 

[dnhouston]

Nice looking bridge!  Can't wait to see it installed.

[davefoxx]

Thanks, M.C.!  My trestle kit came with NBW castings.  I also need to put the wood outer guardrails on the ends of the ties on the bridge, too.  But that's easy compared to what I accomplished this weekend.

I couldn't wait, so I got out the snap blade knife and began hacking at the hills to get the bridge put roughly into place.  This exercise mostly was to get the abutments set in place.  But, to do that, I needed to find the final elevation of the bridge, which required some precision.  In the pictures below, the bridge is not permanently installed (it needs more detail work and touch-ups), but the abutments have been glued down in their final position.  Once that adhesive dries, I won't have to worry about relocating where the bridge rests every time I pull it to work on this project.  I fully intend to bury the abutments at least halfway to form the slopes around them and under the bridge.



I also plan to grind the foam back on the hill at right in this following picture, to lessen the severity of the slope and to blend in to the area that will be formed under the trestle.  This may mean that the height of that hill is lowered slightly, but this is why I have held off on the installation of the fascia:



Clearance is not an issue, horizontally . . .



. . . or vertically:



DFF

[packers#1]

that's screaming southeast Dave, especially NC (or upstate SC, where I was all weekend). digging it man!

[Dave V]

Dave,

Brilliant execution.  I love it!  There are combination trestle/girder bridges like that even today all over NC.  Some kudzu on a trestle bent or two, and you're golden.

[Chris333]

Skewing the testle was a great idea!   

[wazzou]

Skewing the testle was a great idea!   

I know, right?   

[Bsklarski]

Looks good Dave F,  keep it going!

[Blazeman]

Will defintely be a focal point for viewing. And I think you will be doubly motivated to add an extension so you can run trains over the bridge to somewhere.

[davefoxx]

Thanks, guys!  I really appreciate your compliments.

An extension is planned.  Not sure how I'm going to lay it out yet, but I hope to use a 24" wide HCD coming off the layout perpendicularly at that corner to allow staging for both the A&R and the SBD.  What I haven't figured out yet is whether I will attempt to connect the roads with one staging yard (the grade might be a problem if these lines connect) or keep them separate and have two staging yards.  If separate, I might just do a simple three-track double ended yard for the A&R (and perhaps add another industry).  I want a return loop on the SBD's staging yard and could probably get away with stub yard tracks, as long as there is a run-around for the power to escape and switch the yard.

DFF

[Philip H]

Thanks, guys!  I really appreciate your compliments.

An extension is planned.  Not sure how I'm going to lay it out yet, but I hope to use a 24" wide HCD coming off the layout perpendicularly at that corner to allow staging for both the A&R and the SBD.  What I haven't figured out yet is whether I will attempt to connect the roads with one staging yard (the grade might be a problem if these lines connect) or keep them separate and have two staging yards.  If separate, I might just do a simple three-track double ended yard for the A&R (and perhaps add another industry).  I want a return loop on the SBD's staging yard and could probably get away with stub yard tracks, as long as there is a run-around for the power to escape and switch the yard.

DFF

Dave,
Stop over thinking this - just us a wye as the first turnout, and build a stub ladder off one side that's shorter then the door length.  Figure 4 or 5 tracks.  Then build a a3 track stub within a 2 track balloon (which is actually a single track with a loop, but you get the idea).  DKS should have the plan knocked out before lunch is finished.