Model Power Signal Bridge

[John]

Any thoughts on what the prototype (if any) the Model Power signal bridge is based on?

http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/ztna9.tft5b/v/vspfiles/photos/MDP-1311-2.jpg?1313757924

[robert3985]

I can't squint hard enough to see it....

[Catt]

I enlarged the picture several sizes and I am of the opinion that it is a rather generic representation of a two track signal bridge.It looks like just the thing to model an abandoned signal bridge on my layout.Now all I need is to find one.

[John]

I was thinking an SP proto .. given the weak attempt at molding in a searchlight signal ..

[Catt]

Maybe this pic will help.Yep,think I will get one or two.

[DKS]

Sorta.

http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/data/604/SP_377.jpg

[Bob Bufkin]

Sorta.

http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/data/604/SP_377.jpg

David, I'm getting a Forbidden on this.

[DKS]

Odd, I'm not. Try this:

http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/51287/title/sp-signal-bridge-at-mp-377/cat/604

Or:

http://acm.jhu.edu/~sthurmovik/Railpics/12-06-13a_DONNER_PASS/UP_Roseville-Sub-176-wb-gantry.jpg

[C855B]

David, I got the forbidden, too, but it worked second time since I think it set a cookie after I went directly. Bob, copy the URL and then paste the link into your browser to access the link directly. The site is blocking "referral" links.

Here's another pic of the same SP bridge: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27622576@N06/2573696751/

The Model Power bridge looks to be a paraphrase of the SP design, although the signal heads are on the wrong side. Oops. They should be biased to the right of the track they control.

BTW, that bridge is either gone or is soon to be, part of the signal upgrade program over Tehachapi.

[Bob Bufkin]

Got them fine this time.  Hasn't the Model Power one been around for a long time?  Seem to remember having one that I cut up into something else years ago.

[DKS]

Got them fine this time.  Hasn't the Model Power one been around for a long time?  Seem to remember having one that I cut up into something else years ago.

Yes, I believe that tooling may possibly date from the late 70s or early 80s.

[C855B]

Doing a whole bunch of surfing around while waiting for a phone call...

The Model Power bridge is generic, as we probably should expect from a model of its era. The closest prototype I could find is the Lionel two-track bridge.

It's not close to UP or ATSF practice, but I found pix of similar examples on BN (pre-merger) lines. The most SP-ish thing about it is representing SA signals mounted low, within the truss structure. Everybody else seemed to put signal heads above the truss, mounted on short masts.

[GaryHinshaw]

http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/51287/title/sp-signal-bridge-at-mp-377/cat/604

I hope Traincat will be able to follow through on his plans to make the MP 377 bridge available in N.  I have just the spot for it, despite the fact that it's about to disappear from the prototype...  That is one aspect of Tehachapi BC that will be frozen in time.

[John]

Has anyone heard if Bob is still making stuff?

[C855B]

Funny you should ask... I just sent a PM to Gary that we haven't heard from Bob in quite a while, and that the SP signal bridge he was working on (that Gary would like to have for his layout) might be an opportunity to ask. You might recall news was he was dealing with serious health issues, possibly of a family member, and it was commanding his time and attention, as it should. Wishing him and his the best, but the quiet over the past several months is of concern.