Cisco Bridges: a new layout concept

[Scottl]

A few hours to work on the approach bridge.  I widened the ballasted deck on the approach to deal with the curvature I have put in the track, about 18" radius.  Once all these were done and test fit on the pillars, there was nothing else to do but take some pictures to imagine how this will look in the end.  Here is a first assembly of the etched walkways for the approach bridge, with one section of railing secured (this is a test so there are some bends in the railing).



I mocked it up with some ballast and track to see how it would all look:





I think I am ready for the final assembly, which means I have to paint these up first:

1- Pillars in orange
2- Bridge beams in weathered black
3- Ballast deck as concrete
4- Walkways- dirty galvanized
5- Pillar support pylons- concrete, older looking than ballasted deck

Thanks for following.

[Scottl]

Positioning the pillar and arch support pylons, leveling everything.  My initial topographic profile was not quite right, but foam is easy to modify.  I'll have to raise the CPR mainline as well and finalize some of the bridge deck supports (hence, the clamp marring the scene!).  I am really liking the look of the brass pillars.

Sorry for the photos, the cell phone was all I had available.

[GaryHinshaw]

This is going to be awesome - a true railfan's delight.  My only concern is that your ballast looks kind of chunky; but I love the overall look and feel of the ballasted deck.

-gfh

[Scottl]

I agree, that ballast is pretty chunky.  It is just WS toned with different paints to give some variation. 

I have looked at sanded grout but it is too fine for this application.  I'm leaning towards AZ Rock and Mineral, but can't decide what colors are most appropriate.  I gather from many threads on various boards that it is sufficiently fine.  I just need to probably take the plunge and buy a variety sight unseen.  How I'll do that remains a mystery, given they propose to charge $60 to ship it to Canada. 

Of course, the real issue is the lack of concrete flex track.  The stuff seems to have gone the way of Atlas code 55.  My kingdom for two pieces!

[BCR 570]

Looking good - such an iconic scene.  For what its worth, Greg and I went with the Arizona Rock & Mineral and we bought the NP colour, which represents the granite ballast used so often here in the Pacific Northwest.  I had it shipped domestic to Point Roberts to save on postage.

Tim

[Scottl]

Thanks Tim, do you have a Canadian retailer for the ballast?

[BCR 570]

No, as far as I know it is only available direct.  Another brand of ballast which is real rock is the one sold by Scenic Express, but I do not know if they offer it in as fine a size as Arizona does.

Tim

[GaryHinshaw]

FYI, I use the #50 sized ballast from Scenic Express.  I think it is comparable in size to the AR&M N scale ballast.  Here is how it looks with the ME track:



I have no idea what they charge for shipping to Canada* - I am still working through the stock I have on hand (same with my stock of concrete tie track - which I would have given you a few sticks of if you had made it to my place on your last trip to BC... )

-gfh

*They charge actual shipping cost for international orders.  They could probably tell you by phone or email what they estimate it would be.  But this rock ballast is heavy; the quart size bottles weigh a few kg.  This is the kind of thing that might be worth crossing the border for.

[Scottl]

Thanks both.  Gary, that trip to BC was a complete wash- I saw two blocks of downtown Vancouver and traveled to the airport in the dark... Next time!

The real rock ballast products look like what I need.  I may do as you suggest and jump across the border to Watertown to keep the shipment costs down (and maybe a cheap fill up...). 

On the other front, my assumption that the ballasted deck has rail with concrete ties does not seem to be accurate.  These pictures from circa 2009 suggest to me that the ties are wooden, and perhaps normally spaced/length, as opposed to bridge tie spacing and length.  I don't have any later shots to confirm this, especially after the 2011 fire where all the ties on the main bridge burnt up.  I think I can safely use Atlas code 55 flex for the ballasted deck, with my modified ME bridge track on the main bridge.





For the CP fans, and to prove I'm equal opportunity in this project 

[Chris333]

Is the whole bridge a ballasted deck? If so I highly doubt there are any special bridge ties on it. They would use the same as anywhere else ballasted except the guard rails.

[Scottl]

The main bridge is wooden ties without ballast that were replaced in 2011 after the fire.  From the pictures, I think the ties look to be wood.  The rest of the line is concrete ties, but all of the evidence I can find suggests there have not been concrete ties on the bridge.

This definitely solves one of my material problems- sourcing ME concrete track.

[Baronjutter]

When I was doing a lot of bridge research I found out they almost never use concrete ties on bridges, always wooden.  Concrete ties tend to settle unevenly or something.

[Scottl]

Interesting.  I'm not sure why that would be the case, but it helps me out in this case.  I have enough Atlas c55 flex to do the bridge scene.

[basementcalling]

Damn that is some fine looking scenery and trains. Can't wait to see what your version of that scene looks like when your project nears completion. The craftsmanship so far is top notch.

[Scottl]

I found a treasure trove of photos on Panoramio, including this detail shot of the deck on the main arch bridge.  Just when I thought I was done, I need walkways for this bridge too.... More etches!   

That square conduit on the right walkway is something I have not seen before- a communications conduit?  Any thoughts? 




There are some ragged conduits on the south side of the deck that were damaged in one of the derailments and are currently hanging irregularly off the side.  I presume they are no longer functional.