Large Scale Central

Covered Bridge

Modeling
#1

I have converted a timber truss bridge into a covered bridge. It is based on a road covered bridge in Cedarburg WI. It has yet to be sited as a replacement for an open timber bridge with plastic parapets which has been in use for six years now. Some ivy and one r two plats have to be removed from a wall and a ‘dry creek’ before the new bridge can be sited in its new home. New abutments will be needed as well. The only issue, presently, is that there is a very active wasps nest in the adjacent low wall. Far too much disturbance to the wasps I am afraid so I will wait a few weeks until they disappear or die, whichever, it is. My son also painted an Aristo scrap metal load. I am very pleased with his efforts. The colors (not rusts) represent metal cabinets.

Last edited by Alan Lott (Today 08:22:13 MST) When you can’t have wh

#2

Alan,
That bridge is beautiful.
What did you use for the roofing?
Rick

#3

Roofing slates, Rick, yes, real slates cut to size. It is unlikely to blow away in the wind. lol

#4

Roofing slates? Wow. How thick are they?

Sure looks good.

What type of wood is used for the rest?

#5

These are about quarter of an inch I guess Bruce. On my freight depot and grain elevator I used a cement based tile. One of my sons works in the building trade so there is always something lying around here than is useful.

#6

Great looking bridge… :slight_smile:

#7

Very nice

#8

I really like that bridge. Nice job.

#9

Now that good looking bridge… nice…

#10

Thank you gentlemen for your kind comments. It is pleasing to get positive comments from people who know these bridges, often having them close to their homes. A radio Ham friend in Wisconsin commented that it did indeed look like the one by his home. That bridge was used as inspiration.

#11

Very nice Alan.

#12

Sweet bridge!

#13

Nice bridge Alan! Are you using Cedar also?

#14

No George. The basic frame was a trussed bridge which I made some six years ago from pine dowel/batten - the sort we buy here in builders merchant stores. I shows no signs of rot as it has had regular repaints.

The siding likewise are pine wall siding and should last some years: at 74 it will most likely see me out anyway. :slight_smile:

#15

Wow Alan, that is nice work!

#16

Gorgeous bridge Alan! I like the open portion just under the roof too as seen on many prototype covered bridges.

#17

Thank you to those who have commented since my earlier reply. I did use an real Wisconsin covered bridge as a reference Richard, so I had a headstart with the project. :wink:

I am watching this Forum closely. I have two structures which are quintessentially North American i.e. this covered bridge and a grain elevator. A mine or logging feature has been ruled out, at present, but this Forum is a good place for railroading inspirations.

#18

The wasps have now gone quiet: just a couple who come out to see what is happening. :slight_smile: They probably got used to me clearing leaves and track cleaning and realize I am not a threat to their home.

I took the opportunity of nice weather to remove the original open bridge, make some siding renewals and re-ballast the approaches to the new covered bridge.

The 60"x 6"x 2" lumber deck of the original bridge was quite sound so I decided to re-use it as a platform for the covered bridge. The bridge, to my mind, looks good in its permanent home and will, hopefully, keep resin from a small pine (Christmas tree) being deposited on the track.