Jonathan's Layout #3

[jonathan]

Making progress on my trestle bridge/viaduct.

I have to build it in two 3-foot sections.  The bare bones are done.  Just showing a little progress.  Got a ways to go.

I chose a "weathered gray" wood stain for the bridge. It did NOT turn out the way I hoped.  Maybe some serious weathering will get it closer to what i had in mind.  Anyway, you can see I'm using a lot of rubber bands for clamps:

DSC_0140 by Jon Vogel, on Flickr

Regards,

Jonathan

[Ken Huck]

That is coming along really fine.  I wish I'd have thought about rubber bands, could've save me some
headaches.  I'm looking forward to seeing the "void" this thing is going to fill.

Keep it comin',

Ken

[Terry Toenges]

It does look good so far.

[jonathan]

Thanks, Gents.

You know your project is getting too big, if you have a tough time shooting a photo that fits.  I didn't realize I was recreating the Bridge Over the River Kwai  :

DSC_0142_01 by Jon Vogel, on Flickr

DSC_0145_01 by Jon Vogel, on Flickr

Building two more bents, and will add a little more cross-bracing. Otherwise, it's starting to look more complete.

Regards,

Jonathan

[Len]

Actually, that grey color looks pretty good for weathered wood that hasn't been treated with creosote.

Len

[jonathan]

Thank you, Len. Much appreciated.  I was thinking about creosote when planning this project.  Perhaps there's a greenish weathering powder that will give me that hint of weathered creosote. 

OK. project done for now... These are a last few shots of the bridge. You will have to imagine a mountainous area behind the bridge, instead of the big hole in the benchwork:

DSC_0146_01 by Jon Vogel, on Flickr

After studying all the wooden trestles, both models and prototypes, I was most impressed with the ones that stayed simple, for lack of a better word.  I wanted a bridge that was sturdy, but did not interfere with the scenery that would sit behind the bridge:

DSC_0148_02 by Jon Vogel, on Flickr

Hence, my bridge doesn't follow a specific plan. I borrowed from many examples and used the elements I liked, such as the round vertical struts, minimal cross bracing, and the like: 

DSC_0151 by Jon Vogel, on Flickr

Now on to laying more track.  Probably won't have much to share for a while.  But I'll do some show-and-tell when I reach something interesting.

Regards,

Jonathan

[J3a-614]

WOW!!  That thing is a monster!!  Real delicate looking, too--don't send an EM1 or Big Six over it!  Their Cooper ratings are way too high!

Where is it going to go on the layout?

[Trainman203]

That beautiful thing looks too big for the layout.  Timber trestles that size largely date from early railroading, I thought.  There were a few back home on the T&NO in the 60's but they were 4 or 5 bents long and maybe 30' high, much smaller.

[Trainman203]

Has a civil engineer friend ever checked that trestle? 🤔😱😂😂

[dutchbuilder]

As Bob Ross used to say;"It's your world and somewhere there lives a happy tree".
That sad it's more a threstle with a layout than the other way arround.
In my humble opinion, your layout is to small.
Nice trestle by the way.

Ton

[jonathan]

 

OK I get it.  bridge is 70 feet high and 500 feet long. scaled up.  I'll make it work.  I kinda like it now... especially after all that work.

Thanks guys!

Cheers!

Regards,

Jonathan

[Irbricksceo]

OK I get it.  bridge is 70 feet high and 500 feet long. scaled up.  I'll make it work.  I kinda like it now... especially after all that work.

Thanks guys!

Cheers!

Regards,

Jonathan

I like it, I think it looks good, you find a place for that thing!

[Ken Clark]

  Jonathan

  Very impressive build.

   Remind's me of the trestle which allowed access to the plant that I worked at. length and height would be close to your
model, basic difference was that the trestle was curved crossing the valley.

  Ken Clark
   GWN

[jonathan]

One of the problems with the 3rd-tier build is that I have to lay track so high off the bench work.  Everything has to be fairly smooth and sturdy--even though it's 9.5" off the deck.

I have a 6-foot expanse that will need three bridges, while staying straight and level.

DSC_0156_01 by Jon Vogel, on Flickr

My idea is to use some thread, strung across the expanse, at track-tie height.  I can follow the thread across, while I build up sub-roadbed, piers, and the like:

DSC_0154 by Jon Vogel, on Flickr

I pounded in a couple of track nails on either side of my expanse.  Then attached some thread from an old sewing kit. Who needs day-glow green anyway?  One thread-end is tied, while the other end is wrapped and weighted, so I can move it as needed.

DSC_0153 by Jon Vogel, on Flickr

DSC_0152_01 by Jon Vogel, on Flickr

Hopefully, this will work, while I build across the layout.  Most of this will be hidden by hilly terrain, but it still needs to be done well for the trains to run smoothly.

Regards,

Jonathan

[Ken Huck]

It's really coming together in a way I couldn't imagine.  Sewing thread is another good idea.  I spend a lot of time
back and forth measuring wasting a lot of time.  Can't wait to see the finished track plan once it's all laid.

Keep the pictures coming...

Ken