Improving the Atlas Through Truss Bridge

y0chang Oct 13, 2011

  1. y0chang

    y0chang TrainBoard Member

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    I worked on progressing tracklaying on the branch line but reached a point where I needed a bridge over a river and my mainline below. Very happy with the atlas code 55 through girder bridge, I bought an Atlas code55 through truss bridge.

    2070_TQ (1).jpg

    Assembly was easy, and I laid it on my gap. While the size was right for my gap, something felt off. While I was looking for ideas for abutments and piers, I realized that over-sized bottom gusset plates make the bridge seem toy-like. I tried to carve down the gusset plates using an x-acto knife. If the bridge was not assembled this step would have been easier, but using a flush cutter and a sharp knife, I carved the bottom gusset plates down. Even better would have been replacing the plates completely, but I figured by that time I would have been better off just cutting out all the truss cross members and rebuilding it. I still need to go back with some finishing files to smooth out my cuts, but I'm very happy with the results, although I'll have to make sure one side faces away from the aisle since the blade slipped once and sliced though some surface detail...and my thumb...
    P1000415.jpg P1000416.jpg
     
  2. ThirdCoastRail

    ThirdCoastRail TrainBoard Member

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    I don't own one of these bridges (just got a Walther's double track truss, still putting it together), but yeah, those plates do look a bit big, nice job on the fix though, looks better. Hope the thumbs ok, I did a lot of all-nighters building final architectural models in school...knew a few people that sliced into their finger at 4am. Luckily we had a hospital right across the street for some quick stitches. I managed to keep all my appendages intact through undergrad, though I did somehow manage to get CA glue on my tongue once...
     
  3. Fotheringill

    Fotheringill TrainBoard Member

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    Don't tell us that you swished acetone in your mouth to get rid of the CA.
     

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