Large Scale Central

New Deck Girder Bridge for Indian Hill

Track and Trestles
#121

Below are some progress pictures. I’ve been working on the girder, applying styrene to the top and bottom to simulate the angle iron in this area. Also I have been filling the extrusion where I cut back the landing pads. The idea here is to get a flat even surface to sit on the abutment. First the extrusion is filled - 6mm foamed PVC board fits just fine…

Next a layer of 3mm board is epoxied in to bring things up to the level of the cut edges. I didn’t get a picture of that step. Finally, the extrusion is closed with some styrene. As you see, I subscribe to the Bruce Chandler school of clamps…

The end of the tube was also closed off with styrene just for fun. This area really won’t be visible…

I learned quite early to mix the epoxy right on the work piece. Mixing on a card and trying to transfer wasted a lot of epoxy, took more time and was messy. Here is a section where I’m done applying the styrene…

This section was just glued. I use 3mm spacers on both sides to align the styrene and masking tape to hold it in place while the epoxy dries…

A close up of the finished ‘angles’…

I’ve got a couple more feet to go with styrene, then it’s on to attaching the vertical angles. I’ve got enough ABS angle to keep me busy for a day or so, but need to order more.

#122

That’s a thing about progress, it all adds up. Blocking ends of tube sounds like a good idea for the blocking of hypothetical vermin which might see it as a nice cosy residence.

#123

You could fill it with

#124

Last of the styrene top & bottom angle applied tonight. I just have one of the landing pads to finish filling and close up that end. Time to start cutting the ABS angle. I need to come up with a production method as I need a whole bunch of 2" lengths.

@Sean - I like Great Stuff, but there is no need to fill the interior and it would leak out of my simulated girder break and ruin the illusion…

Yuck! I just counted up how many angles I need to cut and glue on - a little over 100. This is going to be a 6 beer job. I hope the last few are as straight as the first :open_mouth:

#125

Daktah John said:

Yuck! I just counted up how many angles I need to cut and glue on - a little over 100.

Dude, ya gotta start reading the fine print right at the beginning. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#126

Forrest Scott Wood said:

Daktah John said:

Yuck! I just counted up how many angles I need to cut and glue on - a little over 100.

Dude, ya gotta start reading the fine print right at the beginning. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

Especially since I wrote the fine print!!!

It says right there “25 per side” I guess I forgot there are 4 sides to my simulated two girder bridge!

#127

Hey John, just caught up on this whole thread. Interesting is one way to put it. How’s the hand working now? Great project and well illustrated, as all of yours are. This is a great project and should give you great years of service.

Steve, going back to the start. Yep, I always put “Native American” on all government and census forms. It would be wrong to answer otherwise.

#128

(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-innocent.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

#129

Uh not great stuff, but you might want to use some expanding spray foam inside it.

Our trains are loud when rolling over hollow forms…

Just a thought.

John

#130

Isn’t Great Stuff an expanding spray foam?

Point taken but I’ve never noticed any excess noise from the 4 foot version I built a few years ago. Probably because the bridge ties help insulate the tube, and the tube is very thick - not likely to resonate.

#131

Ric Golding said:

Hey John, just caught up on this whole thread. Interesting is one way to put it. How’s the hand working now? Great project and well illustrated, as all of yours are. This is a great project and should give you great years of service.

Steve, going back to the start. Yep, I always put “Native American” on all government and census forms. It would be wrong to answer otherwise.

Thanks Rick. The hand is back to about 75% use, but still no feeling in the thumb print and part of my palm. Grip strength is lacking but improving every day. Some pain, but tolerable. Worst is the odd feeling in the numb parts that never stops. Doctor says keep using it and hopefully the feeling will come back in 6-12 months.

#132

John, I had that kind of feeling, or lack of feeling, in my palms after my Carpel Tunnel release surgery. That odd feeling did go away after a while. It happened so gradually that I am not sure how long it took, but it wasn’t more then a few months. But, sometimes, my palms do get rather itchy.

Glad you are on the mend, and back to doing the important stuff, large scale railroading.

#133

David Maynard said:

But, sometimes, my palms do get rather itchy.

Itchy palms could be a sign of diabetes!

#134

Joe, they are itchy where the incision was. Last time I was checked, I didn’t have diabetes.

#135

Got all the styrene on the girder and both ends filled in last night. Today will be another fit test to confirm I didn’t bugger it up. Pictures outdoors late today.

#136

“The hand is back to about 75% use, but still no feeling in the thumb print and part of my palm. Grip strength is lacking but improving every day. Some pain, but tolerable. Worst is the odd feeling in the numb parts that never stops. Doctor says keep using it and hopefully the feeling will come back in 6-12 months.”

Two years this coming September, AndyC and I were busy providing new material for my next Tuesday Safety Meeting. The thumb now has about 90% of normal feeling back. The numbmess, where the nerves were damaged, is almost gone. I think less than a year is very optimistic.

#137

Daktah John

When I suggested filling the unit with spray foam , it was to keep bee’s etc. from taking it over … I didn’t think of the sound deadening properties…

#138

Daktah John said:

Isn’t Great Stuff an expanding spray foam?

Point taken but I’ve never noticed any excess noise from the 4 foot version I built a few years ago. Probably because the bridge ties help insulate the tube, and the tube is very thick - not likely to resonate.

Well by cracky I had me a senior moment (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)and cornfuzed that rubber spray on TV with GS…

My fear was the empty tube would have a boom box effect…

Iffn you knows better, please disregard my thoughts,

Everybody else does…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

John

#139

@ John - No trouble! I have those moments daily.

@Sean - I closed in both ends with styrene. Not sure it will still fit in the abutment - going to find out in a few minutes. The saw cut at the center is intentionally open - bug’s will likely find a way in there. I don’t remember if I closed up my first one; I don’t think so. Haven’t noticed any unusual insect activity. We have tons of 'em anyway.

@Ric - Did you catch the part where the injury severed (actually shredded) a nerve? The surgery was to re-connect it, but due to the shredding it was short, so they put it in a collagen tube. The nerve will grow back together in time; they think.

@Joe - I do have Type II - just barely - my A1C is just over 7. So far that hasn’t slowed down the healing as it can. 1 month post-op and the incision is completely healed. I have minor injuries on my legs from last summer that I can still see. Getting old is such a treat!

#140

Really great work, hope your hand continues to heal. I stabbed mine a couple of weeks ago with a screwdriver, but thankfully missed the important parts.