Bridge/Trestle Recommendation?

[kdgrant6]

Could anyone recommend an HO scale bridge for a curved piece of EZ Track that crosses over a track beneath it?  The top track is on a set of Woodland Scenic 3% risers about 4" above the foam board.

Bachmann offers one in O and N scale, but not in HO.

[jbrock27]

Ken, does this provide any helpful ideas?

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,24337.0.html

[jward]

the easiest simplest way to do this, since you have 4" of clearance to work with, would be to buy an atlas plate girder bridge and turn it upside down. run your ez track curve across the flat underside of the bridge. it may not be strictly prototype, but it will get the job done.

[kdgrant6]

The piece itself, I think, is a 9" straight section of 100code track.  Will turning it upside down allow for a curved piece of EZ track to fit??

[jward]

yes. right side up, the track has to run between the girders. upside down the girders will be below track level. this will give you a much wider bridge deck for your track.

[Len]

You could paint a piece of sheet styrene black, slide it under the EZ-Track, then glue the girders from the Atlas bridge to it. Keep them far enough away from the EZ-Track roadbed to prevent sideswipes.

Len

[kdgrant6]

Len, I'm afraid I can't quite follow this suggestion.  I don't understand the sideswipe thing.

Here's a pic of the piece I'm thinking of:
http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Silver-Girder-Bridge-Atlas/dp/B0006KSKLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431081412&sr=8-1&keywords=atlas+plate+girder+bridge

There's also a Code83 version that's a couple of dollars cheaper.  Although I'm running Code 100, it should work the same upside-down.
http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Silver-Girder-Bridge-Atlas/dp/B0006KSKLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431081412&sr=8-1&keywords=atlas+plate+girder+bridge

At least, that's what I'm thinking.

[jbrock27]

The girder bridge was a great suggestion .

You may want to check Ebay for them, I have seen them cheaper there.  I have also seen styrene sheets come in black.

[kdgrant6]

Aren't there bridges/trestles/spans--something without track running through it--that would accommodate curved EZ track through it rather than having to flip it upside down?

[electrical whiz kid]

the easiest simplest way to do this, since you have 4" of clearance to work with, would be to buy an atlas plate girder bridge and turn it upside down. run your ez track curve across the flat underside of the bridge. it may not be strictly prototype, but it will get the job done.

Hi Jeff;
In the "real world" of this hobby, a lot of latitude can be used; but the one prototype practice they use is to use girders in the "upside down" fashion you mentioned.  I have seen this practice used where it looks like the track is "on top' of the girders. 
also, to KD Grant, there are several good books on bridges and trestles written by modelers. 
SGT C.

[kdgrant6]

Hi Jeff;
In the "real world" of this hobby, a lot of latitude can be used; but the one prototype practice they use is to use girders in the "upside down" fashion you mentioned.  I have seen this practice used where it looks like the track is "on top' of the girders. 
also, to KD Grant, there are several good books on bridges and trestles written by modelers. 
SGT C.
[/quote]
Have movie versions come out yet?
Seriously, though, any particular title you'd recommend?

[ACY]

Atlas produces several bridges including an inverted truss (deck truss). For those who use EZ-Track, if the EZ-track does not fit on the deck you can use one section of conventional sectional or flex track just to span the bridge and then go back to EZ-track.

[jonathan]

Yes, on my bridge, there is EZ track on either side of the bridge.  While a regular piece of track (modified a bit) spans the curved bridge itself.

For what it's worth, there are prototypes of curved tracks on bridges. Normally the bridge sections are straight, even when the track is curved.  However, stone bridges can be curved just like the track. 

I tried to hide EZ track on a bridge a couple of times.  Have never been happy with the results and pulled the EZ track for the bridge section.

Regards,

Jonathan

[Len]

Ken,

Like Jonathan said, straight bridge sections are normally used to support curved track. The girders on these types of bridges have to spaced further apart than for a straight bridge to keep long cars from sideswiping them.

You could do this with the Atlas bridge you're thinking about. You have to remove the girders from the straight track deck, and attach them to a scratch build deck wide enough for the curve track and any car overhang. Looking from the end, what you'd be doing is:

Stock straight girder bridge: |___|      Modified for curves: |______|

Len

[jonathan]

All this talk of EZ track and bridges reminded me of a project I never got around to... but still need to.

I have a loop on my layout that is about 90% EZ track.  The photos below show a quick bridge I did with an old Model Power Bridge.  I split the bottom of the bridge length-wise and rolled it over the EZ track, if you get my meaning.  My intention was to cut the EZ track across the span and put in one of those fancy craftsman kit wood bridges.  I guess I ran out of rountuits...









There's even ballast for goodness sake.

That bridge is now a little higher on my to-do list I think. 

Regards,

Jonathan