A Challenging Large Signal Bridge Project?

[C855B]

Not displaced by PTC upgrades... yet... his classic signal bridge has been on UP's mainline in Ogallala, Nebraska since probably at least the 1930s:





The access platforms and masts all but announce they were designed to hold the lower-quadrant semaphores the Harriman roads were known for at the time.

I like this bridge a lot and would like to build one reflecting its timeless appearance, 1970 in my case, which is close or even no change relative to how it is today. Or maybe even have two, there are a couple of spots on the layout that would be naturals for this configuration. My thinking at the moment is doing a built-up brass frame of 1/16x1/32 channel, and etched frets filling in the fine bits. There is interesting detail all over this thing, so it's going to be a matter of "max detail" or "get something close to it done in my lifetime".

You etching experts, @Scottl in particular (and anybody else, for that matter), what do you think? Is this a lifetime "ship in a bottle" pursuit, or something that actually can be accomplished in the context of everything else I have going on?

[DKS]

Seems like the NJI kit would be a workable starting point.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NJ-International-N-3-4-Track-Signal-Bridge-KIT-Styrene-1-NEW-4207/283052988657

I modified one to include the deck, railings, access platforms and masts.



 

[C855B]

Done! Impressive recall, David.

You're right, it could be a 95% start point. There are fewer sections to the truss webbing than my particular 1:1, so until I have it in hand I won't know if it needs to be lengthened or anything else done to it to capture the proportions.

[DKS]

Done! Impressive recall, David.

You're right, it could be a 95% start point. There are fewer sections to the truss webbing than my particular 1:1, so until I have it in hand I won't know if it needs to be lengthened or anything else done to it to capture the proportions.

They're not hard to lengthen, so if you can find more kits, you can easily expand them as needed.

[Point353]

So that's a "Large" signal bridge?

How about this one:

[C855B]

Heh. Well, for a non-terminal setting it's not small. If we're going for really big, I think of the current and past structures guarding Chicago Union Station. Those put the "bridge" in signal bridge!

[DKS]

So that's a "Large" signal bridge?

How about this one:

2XL?

[Scottl]

I already owe you one set of etches...   I don't think it would be terribly difficult to etch, it just requires the time and inclination to do the drawings.  If this is a higher priority than your signals 

[C855B]

LOL! I wasn't trying to tweak you about that, Scott! That's a "...whenever...". You're our resident expert on etching bridges with fine details, so your name bubbled to the top of my thinking with the 3-track structure.

I'm going to see what that NJI bridge has to offer. From David's picture it looks like it is finely cast and has enough of the flavor to be a really good stand-in.

[Scottl]

LOL, it does motivate me to work on your project. The drawings are still on my computer desktop.  I have some travel time ahead so maybe you might get a surprise email package this summer.

Regardless, I'm a bit futzy with my fingers so kit bashing an existing product would be more trouble for me than drawing up and etching one.  Mind you, the cost is higher to etch, unless some economy of scale can be met.

[kornellred]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/N-SCALE-WISEMAN-MODEL-SERVICES-NSN-MTSB-MULTI-TRACK-SIGNAL-BRIDGE


Sorry - the item number was cut off.  Wiseman Model Services bought all the N Scale of Nevada rights years ago and now produces a lot of their models.  This signal bridge looks a lot like a UP prototype.

Never mind - it is an SP prototype bridge.

[C855B]

Thanks for the lead - I found it on their main site. http://www.locopainter.com/store/product.php?id=755  Good candidate, too; the NJI bridge is currently hard to find if I need more than the one.