Hello all, First post be gentle! What is the prototypical spacing of the bents in a timber trestle? I'm planning to build one for HO. I'm thinking the trestle we climbed on as kids was about 12 feet between the bents. Thanks Greg
Hi Greg, Welcome to the TrainBoard, we're glad to have you aboard. Now to your question....I think bent spacing, both longitudinally and transversely are based on the load the trestle is being designed for. As two extremes, the teakettle powered narrow gauge logging road is going to have a flimsy looking trestle with widely spaced bents compared to a trestle built for the BNSF coming out of the Powder River Basin with maximum tonnage hoppers. In other words, I don't think there is a "correct" answer, just what looks good on your layout and how you plan to operate. Kalmbach published a "how-to" book on bridges and trestles a while back that might give you some ideas and guidance. It's still available online from Kalmbach, and is probably in your LHS. All I ask is that you keep us updated with photos, comments, and questions, we love sharing with each other.
I've seen 12-14-16 feet used. Not sure what you recall might have used, whether branch line, main track, or? Boxcab E50
I think 12 feet would be the outside distance between bent frames for most trestles meant to support 100 tons between any three of them.
Played on the NP. The trestle we climbed on and the right of way we hung out to wave at trains was the NP main line from St. Paul to Duluth, MN By this time it was BN and is now a bike trail . The line crossed Hardwood Creek 2.5 miles north of Hugo, MN. Oh the memories. Any how I am building a module with a 36 inch trestle for a main line and was wondering how many bents i need to build. according to my calculations 12 foot spacing = 22 (21.775). Thanks for the warm welcome folks! Greg
I was just looking at some data for a favorite RR. This was a line which regularly handled cars of that weight. Sixteen foot bent spacing standard. Load is spread via the stringers. Boxcab E50
Don't feel that way. I'm the one who was "stupid" for assuming that you, a first-time poster, would understand the LHS acronym....sorry. :tb-embarrassed:
Gee, it sure sounds like 1 inch (N scale) or 2 inches (HO) would be an awfully convenient bent spacing for a "freelanced" trestle... These would scale out to 13.3 or 14.5 feet respectively. O scalers could get nice spacings at 3, 3.5, or 4 inches... Of course, if you're modeling a specific trestle, one would have to measure...
I've used it for some things, including some early layout work, a long time ago. My daughter, who completed her architecture degree in June, loves it for simple CAD work and design. She laid out our new deck using it.
