Has anyone on the forum kitbashed a bridge that has ends at a 45 degree angle? Was thinking of using a couple of Kato double track bridges and modifying them to cover a 15" angled gap .
I have seen pictures of models done. Seems to me they were all in HO. It would be good fun to see a "skewed truss" done in N.
Quite some time ago, I kitbashed this skewed N scale bridge from the Walthers double-track truss kit. I don't think it's exactly 45 degrees, but it fit where I installed it perfectly. I still have not completely finished this area or installed bridge track....
Tehachapifan Nice looking skewed bridge and is just the example I need. A few questions. 1. Are there stringers under the track and will you be using ME bridge track to finish the bridge. 2. Do you think I should kitbash Kato bridges or use a couple of Walther's kits? 3. Advantages/disadvantages to either? Thom
There are indeed stringers under the track and they were included in the Walthers kit (they come in pieces that run from cross-brace to cross-brace). I have not really evaluated the Kato bridge for tackling a project like this but, since the Walthers bridge was already in kit form and in pieces, it seemed the best choice at the time rather than taking apart the already-built Kato bridge (unless they also have it in kit form). The trusses in the Walthers kit are about 11" long and the Kato trusses are about 10" (at least on the Kato bridge I have). Yes, I believe it is ME bridge track that I purchased to eventually run across this bridge. It's been sitting in a box in the corner for years now.
....regarding covering a span of 15" which neither the Walthers or the Kato bridge I have do, can you possibly have a pier at one end that supports the truss bridge on one side and maybe a short girder bridge on the other? The reason is, trying to lengthen a truss span could be challenging and could also cut down on the actual strength of the bridge with potentially weak joint(s).
Right, but my question was if the OP could apply this approach where the 15" span is needed rather than attempt to extend the truss.
Well of course you were! Duh! He makes a good suggestion, Allegheny. But you have to be able to fit the pier. If you're going over three tracks, one of them would have to be spaced oddly. But that's very nice for crossing over two tracks and a street, or a track and a little river.
Thanks for the discussion. Acptulsa - I'm crossing four tracks. So a plate girder bridge extension is out unless I can use a skinny steel pier between track 2 and 3. I'll take a look at shifting track 3 & 4 and see whether that are any unacceptable impacts. I did some calculations today; good news/bad news. I shifted the location of the bridge and depending on how close the piers can be to the outside of the tracks below, a slightly extended kitbashed bridge may work (11"-12"). The bad news is I have to cross over four tracks. I'm wondering if there is a way to use tubing or a rod in the underside of the structure to strengthen the bridge and lengthening it at the same time. Thoughts?
We make 45 degree girder bridges in 30-40 and 60 foot spans and have 80 and 100 ft in the works rich www.rslaserkits.com
Spyder62 How easy/hard would it be to join three of the bridges together to have three parallel track? Is the depth of the bridge 1" or less? Top rails will be 3.125" above bottom rails. I'd like 2" of vertical clearance.
Gentlemen While reviewing my track plan with new bridge location, I saw where rerouting a branch line reduced the tracks under the bridge from four to three. Plenty of room now. I'll still do the 45 degree skewed design as there is no room to do a straight 90 degree approach and exit plus the necessary track curvature. Thanks for the discussion.
