Large Scale Central

Trackwork at Dead Rooster Gulch and the High Bridge

Track and Trestles
#21

Like you said; it’s the focal point. The first thing you see descending the garden stairs and the largest element when viewed from the family room picture windows.

With that in mind, you need to go big or go home. Unfortunately, Garden Metal Models is gone and fake girders like I have made require too much maintenance to keep the plastic detail bits on. With your welding skills could you fabricate a real welded panel girder, then have it powder coated? Unless you need to please the rivet counters, it does not need to be open between the rails. Would 1/8" wall steel tube be to heavy for the uprights?

I like the architectural aluminum tube for it’s hard square corners, but would probably bankrupt you for that distance!

#22

Since I’m rebuilding adjacent track, I thought it was time to revisit this thread. I just fired off an email to J&S Railcar to see if they can help me. At some point in the last couple of years, I also ran across someone that was making girder bridge sections out of PVC board that fit together using something like a dogbone connector and some bolts. But for the life of me I can’t find them any more. Sound familiar to anyone?

#23

Hmmm … the guy ( senior moment here) that makes the metal couplers …didn’t he make some bridge section…His name will pop up after I post this…

#24

Burl …(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

http://burlrice.com/_LS_Bridges/

#25

Yea, I’ve seen his, and other’s girders. They’re nice, but they’d still require a bunch of engineering design to make a 25 foot bridge that I dont want to do. Looking for a bolt-together, solid solution.

#26

http://eaglewingsironcraft.com/bridges.php

#27

I think this is the architectural aluminum tube, with cosmetic enhancements, at Jerry’s SC&M RR.

The bridge is about 20 ft long and does not need the pillars for support - they are cosmetic. I think it will take Jerry’s weight.

Not sure how you’d make a curve though.

#28

Sean McGillicuddy said:

http://eaglewingsironcraft.com/bridges.php

Yep, I have an email into them as well. The two 5’ long bridges I have are from them. Bulletproof.

#29

Bob McCown said:

Sean McGillicuddy said:

http://eaglewingsironcraft.com/bridges.php

Yep, I have an email into them as well. The two 5’ long bridges I have are from them. Bulletproof.

So, what’s the verdict?

#30

Bob, those PVC bridge pieces your talking about, wasn’t that split-jaw???

#31

Bob McCown said:

Yea, I’ve seen his, and other’s girders. They’re nice, but they’d still require a bunch of engineering design to make a 25 foot bridge that I dont want to do. Looking for a bolt-together, solid solution.

Do you have any pictures of what you’re looking for?

Or, are these things you’ve never actually bought - but perhaps just thought about? (Oh, I’ve NEVER done THAT! (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif))

#32

Bob McCown said:

Since I’m rebuilding adjacent track, I thought it was time to revisit this thread. I just fired off an email to J&S Railcar to see if they can help me. At some point in the last couple of years, I also ran across someone that was making girder bridge sections out of PVC board that fit together using something like a dogbone connector and some bolts. But for the life of me I can’t find them any more. Sound familiar to anyone?

Radder?

But his was aluminum I believe.

#33

Bruce Chandler said:

Bob McCown said:

Yea, I’ve seen his, and other’s girders. They’re nice, but they’d still require a bunch of engineering design to make a 25 foot bridge that I dont want to do. Looking for a bolt-together, solid solution.

Do you have any pictures of what you’re looking for?

Or, are these things you’ve never actually bought - but perhaps just thought about? (Oh, I’ve NEVER done THAT! (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif))

Yea, no, this was something I had seen and made note of, but unfortunately didnt bookmark. Ah well.

#34

I think Rooster is close. Jon Radder did a build on his ‘e’scape?’ girder bridge using a length of aluminum square tubing as a base. I could not get the search here to find the thread. Might be a compromise between purchasing something ready made and a fabrication to fit the location.

#35

Yea, Andy was right (Gawd, how I hate saying that)

I found the thread I was thinking about. They are (or were, at least) Split Jaw

https://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/28214/split-jaw-bridges-experiences?page=1

#36

If you’re looking for a kit, I haven’t found anything, though I did find these guys: https://gnomengineers.blogspot.com/2009/11/plate-girder-bridges.html

#37

Bruce Chandler said:

If you’re looking for a kit, I haven’t found anything, though I did find these guys: https://gnomengineers.blogspot.com/2009/11/plate-girder-bridges.html

Oh yea, I remember those guys. They were price if I remember correctly, but also 100% accurately detailed.

#38

If you want to do it yourself - it’s not too hard or expensive - did it for my viaduct project. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/28374/a-viaduct-for-the-j-amp-b-rr?page=1) It basically involves some PVC strips screwed into a 2x6 or 2x4. I used treated wood.

Then you add some angle for the top and bottom and some T shape glued in place. Spray paint it the color you want and you’re “done”…

Probably a lot easier if the piece is straight, but obviously works on a curve as well.

#39

I came back to try and see what I have missed. It’s great to see your RRs!

I have to search thru and find each members RR to see what’s new.

There’s many good people here and that’s what I missed the most. Carry on. Lurking around for awhile. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#40

Rooster said:

Bob McCown said:

Jon Radder said:

The “escape” track. Notch 8 and a Flux Capacitor will get it done!\

There will be a building that track goes into there, so good luck!

Notch 8 turns buildings into drive thru’s especially if you have conductor and engineer’s named Jon and Ken.

I personally love notch 8 and I have a few Amtrak engineers named Lionel.

Looking for the original “Dead Rooster Gulch” thread with Russell and the silver mine.

I love that story !

This post has been edited by ROOSTER: speelin eror