I have always like the trestle leading up to a truss bridge in any form, steel or wood. Just looks very classic to me. If I have any say in it, cut stone abutments would be much more appealing than just concrete for what you have built. It would just add to the level of detail you already have going.
I agree on cut stone. In my area of NY Blue stone is very common and was used extensively in building. Going to try my hand at cutting scale blocks. I tried my hand at carving of foam board to cast some and my carving leaves a lot to be desired.
I haven’t personally tired this but I think others on here have. They make those stone tile sheets. . .
and they could be cut to size with a tile saw and have a nice cut stone face already. I would like to get some and play with them myself. We have a Habitat Restore that sells a lot of this type of stuff dirt cheap. Maybe an option.
Those might be hard to find currently. Home Depot used to carry them, but discontinued them maybe 5 years ago. I still have one 12x12 and a few pieces. I’ve used it for several structures. Most notably, Wall Station seen here before the front doors and windows were installed…
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I think I bought some a long time ago and never used them. I should look and see and at the very least make a mold so I can cast them. they do look great.
We have a place like Habitat Restore, it’s for ARC. They sell all kinds of stuff that is donated. I will have to check there and the big box home improvement stores too.
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Just out of curiosity, why mahogany?
It is the toughest hardest wood I could find locally. The only thing is it is very hard to work with. Ripping lots of it dulls the saw blade, the dust is terrible and the splinters are worse. I have since started using pine on most other builds but when it comes to ground contact or even being buried in the dirt the mahogany is better than pressure treated.
Found these at the reuse place today. I think they will work great. The squares are 1”x1” and the long ones are 1/2” x3-1/2”.
I know about mahogany dust. I did mahogany trim in the house. Looks gorgeous but sanding it creates dust that chocks. It is hard but no idea it was good for ground contact. Gots lots of scrap left so it will be free.
mahogany is one of my least favorite woods to work with for all the reasons you listed. I trimmed my living room in it years ago and swore I would never use it again. I had some scraps that I glued up to make a turning blank and it was hard to keep tools sharp (this was before carbide was popular) and because I forced it the dull tools ripped and chipped it.