Free-moNebraska

[dem34]

Time to find an answer the real question, how the hell am going to build the actual bridges! 

Carefully.

And copious amounts of Evergreen and Walthers bits.

[wazzou]

Carefully.

And copious amounts of Evergreen and Walthers bits.

Maybe even a little brass for the bottom chord of the long span. 
It looks like even the plywood placeholder has a little bow in it.

[Mark W]

I really like how some of the 3D printed mock-ups turned out.  I'm experimenting with ways to print the lattice work. 

Right now I'm printing a test to replace the hardboard with modular interlocking sections which should help keep the deck flat across the full bridge.


https://i.imgur.com/XtALlP9.jpg

Reminder of the main span mock-up.


https://i.imgur.com/1aLPvrn.jpg

It appears several tie-rods run the length of the main span, so that should be a good reinforcement with the rest of the bridge 3D printed. 
I'm starting out with the old bridge first.  I expect the new bridge to be much easier (obviously, without all that lattice work!).  I like the idea of building the new bridge in styrene when the time comes. 


https://i.imgur.com/WHTd1vi.jpg

[pedro]

What about the toll bridge?? Just drove it a few weeks ago. Amused to still see the toll shack and the guy collecting $1.75. A good throwback to simpler times. Regardless, I look forward to seeing these take shape!

[Mark W]

I'm not too excited by the toll bridge; the two rail bridges will be enough work.  Although the 3D printing is going much better than I imagined!

Here is the full bridge mock up!  I'm about 80% there on the final design work.  Everything will bolt or snap together to use as little glue as possible.


https://i.imgur.com/uhwstCd.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/Wj67QiR.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/Bf1WbjC.jpg

[amato1969]

Holy cow @Mark W that looks really good already!

  Frank

[RBrodzinsky]

Holy cow @Mark W that looks really good already!

  Frank

Yeah, but he needs to do something about all the pink algae in the river

[Mark W]

Yeah, but he needs to do something about all the pink algae in the river

Oh, I have something extra special planned for that!   
But I have to get through the bridge itself first. 


Today I modified the modules for bridge mounting.  I removed the cross braces and cut a dado down the centerline of where the bridge will be, then laid a strip of 1/4" birch ply through those dados, running the length of the module.  The 3D printed pillars will be bolted to this spline.  Then the bridge decks will be bolted to the pillars, and finally the truss will be snapped to the decks. 

[Sokramiketes]

Everything was a perfect success, especially the new 3D printed leg pockets!


All the orange (or blue) parts are printed in high strength PETG; different colors indicate different leg lengths, to accommodate pockets mounted at different heights. 


https://i.imgur.com/pbg1qAd.jpg


The foot pads simply press into a full thread bolt, and the insert accepts a standard nut, keeping hardware cost mere pennies. 

I'm late to the party but just saw the leg design.  From one module transportability designer to another, this is awesome work, and further reduces the traveling load that legs usually impart. 

Now, if there was a way to turnbuckle the attachments, just to avoid crawling on the floor to adjust the leg height...

[Mark W]

First Train!

[davefoxx]

That's hawt!

DFF

[Mark W]

I've wrapped up Series One of the Run-By videos with the Autorack and Burlington Route.  Or skip down to the entire Series One Compilation for 20 minutes of just trains!

Series Two will feature new trains through most of the same scenery (the only modules I can set-up until probably March); but with a new camera and a few new tricks thanks to this awesome present from my wife!


https://i.imgur.com/lSGWL6V.jpg

[jereising]

NICE!  Details please?
I've done some searching and can't see anything quite like that...

[davefoxx]

NICE!  Details please?
I've done some searching and can't see anything quite like that...

I think it’s this:

https://www.amazon.com/DJI-Pocket-Stabilizer-Pocket-Sized-ActiveTrack/dp/B08J7FL57P/ref=asc_df_B08J7FL57P/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475739861994&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5165067100912586565&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007460&hvtargid=pla-995474784885&psc=1

Very cool, but not inexpensive.  But, you get what you pay for, and my curiosity is piqued.  I think that would lay in one of my HO gons with the camera lens portion overhanging the end.

DFF

[John]

I think the M&O will become a set of FREMO modules in the next year or so