Hey Doc,
I know that picture! Great job!
Mr “Dandy” Dan, chief design engineer of the Tennessee Bridge Co., from over in Nashville, can talk for hours to anyone who will listen on the benefits of deck truss bridge construction.
(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06756_zps425d1e83.jpg)
Boss Crumb and Col. Townsend try to feign interest as the concrete cures on the new bridge pier for the steel bridge.
(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06760_zps55f46c73.jpg)
The crew of #2147 are just glad the bridge remains perpendicular to the Little River below and they are dry.
(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06758_zpsdcdbe48a.jpg)
Here’s the “back story”:
After much thought I elected to go with a trapezoid shaped concrete pier. I got the dimensions from the internet and built up a form using foam board secured with Titebond III glue and sheet rock screws.
(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06752_zps7211a021.jpg)
Rapid set concrete mix from Lowes was mixed with water and poured in to the mold after trying to get it as plumb and level and attached to the rocks on the river’s edge.
(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06752_zps7211a021.jpg)
(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06751_zps43aa18a5.jpg)
The foam mold was removed and the pier remained standing.
(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06753_zps8c1dc41f.jpg)
After a bit of time the bridge was reinstalled and “Dandy Dan” could resume his exposition on bridge building.
(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/DSC06760_zps55f46c73.jpg)
Doc Tom
Nice! Did you use concrete mix or mortar?
Ray Dunakin said:
Nice! Did you use concrete mix or mortar?
Hi. I used this concrete mix ( sand and gravel in it) from Lowes: http://www.lowes.com/pd_10387-286-110160_
Ridiculously easy to use and cheap.
Tom
That’s a bridge I’d be proud to own! Neat!
I think the inspector better take a closer look at that pier. With what appears to be dry unmixed concrete in the lower portion of the pier, water could get inside and then freeze, causing the bridge to come tumbling down. Could be a real headache for railroad management.
The bridge itself looks great.
Ron
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/gary_armitstead/_forumfiles/dptruss2res.jpg)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/gary_armitstead/_forumfiles/dptruss3res.jpg)
Doc,
I have two of Daniel Pecks bridges to install. Your quick and easy method for forming and pouring your piers looks like what I need to do. How many piers from a bag of concrete?
Thanks for posting.
Looking good. What decals are you using Doc?
Ron Spencer said:
I think the inspector better take a closer look at that pier. With what appears to be dry unmixed concrete in the lower portion of the pier, water could get inside and then freeze, causing the bridge to come tumbling down. Could be a real headache for railroad management.
The bridge itself looks great.
Ron
Hi Ron,
Very observant. I too noticed the defect. I may smooth it out with a concrete patch kit.
Thanks. Tom
Gary Armitstead said:
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/gary_armitstead/_forumfiles/dptruss2res.jpg)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/gary_armitstead/_forumfiles/dptruss3res.jpg)
Doc,
I have two of Daniel Pecks bridges to install. Your quick and easy method for forming and pouring your piers looks like what I need to do. How many piers from a bag of concrete?
Thanks for posting.
Those are beautiful bridges.
The concrete pier is 24 inches tall and required one bag of concrete. Good luck with your build.
Tom
Doug Arnold said:
Looking good. What decals are you using Doc?
Hi Doug,
The decals on the engine and on the flat car are from Stan’s fine company.
Tom
The ABS bridge is still standing on the Little River.
Well, it has been a year since this creation was finished. We all wondered if a bridge constructed of ABS plastic would withstand the realities of Mother Nature outdoors.
Fortunately the bridge made it through 100 degree weather last summer and 4 degree temperatures during the recent winter “polar vortex” that made its way in to Tennessee.
I feel comfortable in building a few more of these for the Little River RR . Looks like the ABS can handle the weather extremes, snow and rain. I am glad to report that there was no deterioration and I did not have to report a pile of warped plastic sticks a year later.
I did paint the plastic bridge flat black as in the prototype pictures from the 1920’s.
Doc Tom
It’s adapted nicely to the weather!
Doc
I am so glad it held up well. Looks great with a bit of ‘natural weathering’ on it as well.
Love you landscaping, it fits so well with the logging theme of your railroad.
Bob C.
Bob Cope said:
Doc
I am so glad it held up well. Looks great with a bit of ‘natural weathering’ on it as well.
Love you landscaping, it fits so well with the logging theme of your railroad.
Bob C.
Thanks Doug and Bob. The weathering was actually done with paints last year. I am glad it is blending in nicely with its surroundings. I am trying for a backwoods feel to this logging outfit. I think the trick may be many plants and rare structures. I am at the local Lowes garden center every weekend.
Doc Tom
I absolutely love your black and white photo, Doc! It’s a teaser. The top one, guys…
Nicely done!
Tom Grabenstein said:
Bob Cope said:
Doc
I am so glad it held up well. Looks great with a bit of ‘natural weathering’ on it as well.
Love you landscaping, it fits so well with the logging theme of your railroad.
Bob C.Thanks Doug and Bob. The weathering was actually done with paints last year. I am glad it is blending in nicely with its surroundings. I am trying for a backwoods feel to this logging outfit. I think the trick may be many plants and rare structures. I am at the local Lowes garden center every weekend.
Doc Tom
Nice work Tom. I really enjoy watching your RR grow. The key to a good backwoods line is lots of trees and plants just like you see when out in the woods.
Tom,
The bridge is looking fine.
My ABS bridges have been out about 2 years now in 20 to 115 degree weather and never a hint if a problem. They each span 6 feet and are very stable, I would not hesitate to use ABS in the future.
Rick
Thanks Guys. Appreciate all the feedback. I will be building more bridges out of ABS and planting more and more trees and taking pictures of it all in 1920’s Black and White.
Doc Tom