Hello... I need to make a curved bridge on my layout, but I have no idea what I'm doing. It's a pretty tight curve, you could fit two Marklin 8510 Curved Track R145mm (5-3/4") 45 Degree tracks in the spot. In fact I'm worried it will look stupid, but I have no choice in the end, the tracks have to turn while on the 2nd deck. My idea so far is to have a 225' Pratt Through Truss Bridge leading up and then use a Deck Box Girder Bridge, from Micron Art, for the curved part. I would have to modify the Micron Art bridge to make it curved. I'm wondering is A: Is this prototypical or not? B: Will this set up look stupid mixing the two bridges together? C: Is there a better Curved Bridge to be looking at? Thanks every one!
Check Kalmbach book, "Bridges and Trestles" for a primer on bridge types and how to make them plausible. You probably want a ballasted deck type for the curved part, so no overhead truss bridge on the curve. A "through plate girder" style with ballasted deck would probably hide the tight curve better. Remember: "Track is curved; bridges are straight." We had a thread on that a while back.
The overhead truss would be for the straight part leading up to the curve. So I'm talking about two different bridges end to end. One straight and one for the curve. Does anyone make a Through Plate Girder in Z scale? Once again how will this look back to back with a overhead?
Hi, In my opinion the only bridges allowed to be curved are trestles or stone arc bridges like in Switzerland. You find lots of photos about them.
225' is a LONG bridge (well, many, many segments together) and better have lots of support. As for the curve, you are not going to modify the Micron Art bridge. You really don't know what you are getting into there. There are a LOT of thin brass pieces in that bridge kit and so much trim and fit of MANY parts to make it bend is really crazy. Let alone 2 or 3 angle changes ! Stick with plastic. Walther's Cornerstone makes an N scale double track plate girder bridge kit for $16. It contains 6 identical panels which makes either 2 doubles in series or 4 inline sections. The panels are much smaller than what you see in N scale (Atlas, Bachman, etc.) and are perfect for Z. You can either leave them with the N scale spacing for the curve or, cut a new deck to make it solid and wider. You could also take out a section of the panel, about 1/2", that would help create a 2,3 or 4 segment bridge around a curve. I don't have my modules back yet from the show. When I get them (Thursday likely) I can put a piece of 145mm on it to show you how it could look. I can sell you one of the bridge kits as I have an extra. .
Yeah. I'd like to take a look at the bridge you are talking about. If you could get one photo with a ruler by it and another with a SD70M on or next to it. Thanks. I need the 225' Truss bridge to get over my "mini yard" and main line below. I'm doing stuff in Z scale I''d never do in HO scale. I feel like kicking my own rear end, but I've only got a few feet to work with so I'm getting all I can.
Eddie, the mini-yard yard is a good idea. Its great for switching and for storing all those cars you will be getting.
HaHa at one time I had the thought of putting spur or passing tracks inside the tunnels to hide cars and keep the dust off them too!
This an Atlas N scale next to the Walthers N scale on the right. 50' box cars behind it: Here is a link to a BIG pix of the two bridges installed on the module. You can compare to the MTL flex track: http://zcentralstation.com/modules/xcgal/albums/userpics/10023/normal_P1040734.JPG I'll shoot pix of the parts with an SD70 on them. .
Hmm. Those won't work for what I need, but please post a photo with the SD70M, I might still have a spot for a bridge like that. Are those cars N or Z scale? I'm in shock how different the Atlas is from the Walthers. Somebody messed up big time.
Z cars, on track. I got my modules back today so I'll unload tonight and take a couple of pictures. .
Curved Trestles, Viaducts and More! Here's some thoughts to feast on. There are curved bridges on many of the Class 1 Railroads across America. Cincinnati, OH has a number of curved bridges that lead to the large river bridges. The UP and PRR has a number of curved bridges. In Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO you will find curved bridges. On the ATSF main line as it crosses the Mississippi River, twice there are curved via ducts leading up to the river bridges. The Sierra's in California and the Rockies of Colorado sport a number of curved bridges. Ie., the narrow gauge Ophir Loop and George Town Loop, in Colorado just to name a few For model railroaders the rule of thumb as stated by Flash Blackman, "Track is curved; bridges are straight," is a good rule of thumb as it simplifies things for the beginner. For those ambitious newbies or experienced model rails. The rule just isn't going to cut it. It's simply not possible or plausible. John Allen, built a number of curved bridges into his layout much to the delight of his first visitors and those of us who followed his success through his books and model railroad articles. There's nothing wrong with building a curved trestle or viaduct. At the NMRA Anaheim NTS you could find all kinds of curved bridges. One of the Kato family flew in from Japan several modulars with curved and straight bridges. One HOn3 layout had a curved viaduct. Head for the library, check out the internet, pick out a curved bridge and get busy building it. Don't let others set the rules for you. It's your railroad and you make the rules. Have fun!
