That's a really amazing bridge and looks very realistic. I think technically that would be a Parker Truss, not a cantilever. Are you planning on painting or weathering it?
@yemyrrej If you wanted to be really prototypical, especially for BNSF, you would give it a "total rust" paint scheme, lol.
If you want a pretty good explanation of all the different truss types (I'm not an expert either), check out the "Truss Bridges" article on Wikipedia. It indicated a truss with a segmented upper chord is a Parker style truss.
I never did take any pictures of the construction. I didn't think there would be much interest in how I made it. Boy, was I wrong. I am trying to formulate some sort of "how to". I have had several requests. I'll try to not keep you waiting!
@duckdogger I never did take any pictures of the construction. I didn't think there would be much interest in how I made it. Boy, was I wrong. I am trying to formulate some sort of "how to". I have had several requests.
Absolutely Amazing! I would like to try and do this too. Would you be able to provide all the sizes and dimensions? And some tutorials on how you put them together. Thanks!
@jaughnVids I've been thinking about doing that lately since I've had so many people ask about it. I didn't take any pix while I made it. Ironically, I looked all over the internet about how to go about doing it and I've never posted any tutorials. If you have any specific questions, I'll try to answer them. I don't know when I'll get a chance to make a show and tell video.
@yemyrrej Hi! If you don't mind, I would like to copy it but maybe scale it down to 3 feet. Would you be able to give me the dimensions of the woods used so I would know which ones to buy. Also, how are the joints connected? Are they just glued on? I'm trying to draw this based on the video but sometimes it's hard to see coz it's black. Would you happen to have photos of the parts? Thanks!
Your bridge looks awesome, It seems more feasible to think it was basswood that balsa. I have about 200.00 worth of balsa, it doesnt seem strong enough to build a bridge with it. Basswood however is a lot stronger. Either way,,,it looks great. Im having a friend build me a draw bridge that will be electric motor lifted. I have an older electric motor that came out of a late model Peterbilt as a power window motor
@donsgotmoney Believe it or not, it's 99% balsa. The bridge track weighs almost as much as the bridge. I've had ten locomotives on it at once and it does not flex. The strength comes from the engineering. When you build your drawbridge, you'll be amazed at the weight it'll hold!
@conrailbuff No I didn't handlay it. It's Micro-Engineering bridge track. It's a type of flextrack. It is available as either code 83 or code 70. I have to place the guardrail track myself. It's included.
Due to the length of this awesome bridge, what size balsa did you use to keep it from buckling in the middle from its own weight an the weight of passing trains?
@conrailbuff The entire bridge weighs less than five pounds. About half that weight is the track. The outer perimeter of the truss is 1/4" x 3/8". A 2" section interlocks with dowel pins in the bottom center. I scratch built I beams for the rail supports from 1/16" x 1/2" pieces. A 3" section overlaps in the middle. I should probably make a tutorial.
This is absolutely wonderful and I just love it. I model N-scale and this just makes me want to change over to HO. You guys can do so much more detailed stuff.
I live right across the river from Steubenville, Ohio. I know the bridge you are talking about. I want to model that old PRR Panhandle Division Bridge but have no idea where to start..........
I live a long way away and only had pictures to reference. I'm not a purist so I only wanted plausible. Where I started was looking at some kits from cornerstone etc. They'll show you what has to happen to hold your model properly. Check out some picture books of railroads of the region. With some imagination you'll be able to make a reasonable facsimile. Take some of your own pix on site so you can include details that make your model fit.
@yemyrrej I'm not exactly a purist myself but I do want to try and get it close. I seen you had a template to work with....you said a friend of yours made it for you. I think something like that would get me in the right direction. Do you know how he made it?
@BigUnitBeef sorry for the delayed reply. I drew the pattern on my computer full size and he printed it out on a large format inkjet printer. Some quick print businesses might be able to print yours out for you. I suppose you could 'tile' out the same thing on a home computer printer. Triple check your measurements it you do this. Assembling the letter size prints would be a bear. Make registration marks.
I live a long way away and only had pictures to reference. I'm not a purist so I only wanted plausible. Where I started was looking at some kits from cornerstone etc. They'll show you what has to happen to hold your model properly. Check out some picture books of railroads of the region. With some imagination you'll be able to make a reasonable facsimile. Take some of your own pix on site so you can include details that make your model fit.
What scale is that. From a distance it looks HO but it kind of looks like O scale in the close up shots. Also, any concerns with warpages over the change of seasons?
It is HO. I haven't had any problems with warpages. The layout is in my basement, and I have a dehumidifier. I don't run it (dehumidifier) constantly. It does get chilly down there in the middle of winter. I don't have a vent down there for heating and cooling, but I probably should. Thanks for asking.
Beautiful. I model MP/UP in HO scale, and I am a railroad bridge fanactic. Just something about them fascinates me. Swing bridge, bascule bridge, whatever railroad bridge. Have you seen the railroad bridges crossing the Mississippi River? They're awsome! Great video and excellent work on the bridges.
Sweet layout, awesome bridges!!! You are very talented and have a sharp eye for perfection. thanks for sharing and please keep up the excellent work!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is quite an amazing design! Being made of balsa wood, what would you guess the structure to weigh? May I ask, what is the purpose of the double rails? Very impressive work. You may wish to consider selling these to other model railroaders? You could sell it in a kit form, as I'm sure it would be a bear to ship without damage?
@walkerbelle I really should check these more often. The bridges weighs less than five pounds. Half of that is the track. The purpose of the inside rails 'double' rails is guard rails. At the ends of the bridge the inner rails wold converge to a point. I haven't added that yet. Selling to other railroaders? Maybe. I would guess it would take about 100 hours to recreate. I spent twice that time just trying to figure out how to do it. I have considered writing down how I did it. It's sturdy!
Incredible work, looks really nice. Mind if we share your video on our GoMotorBids model railroad webpage? We think that many of our train customers would appreciate your work.
It is made by a German company called "NOCH". Labeled "Cut QuarryStone Wall, it measures 64x15cm. It's embossed paper. It's heavier than the paper you would put into your printer. It's worked very well for me.
I am a structural engineer and am impressed by your bridge. Love the layout!
mizerlad 1 day ago
That's a really amazing bridge and looks very realistic. I think technically that would be a Parker Truss, not a cantilever. Are you planning on painting or weathering it?
fyadcorp 1 month ago
@fyadcorp I painted it black and weathered it slightly with some brown and silver paints.
Parker Truss? Cantilever? Blast it, Jim! I'm an artist not an engineer! :)
yemyrrej 1 month ago
@yemyrrej If you wanted to be really prototypical, especially for BNSF, you would give it a "total rust" paint scheme, lol.
If you want a pretty good explanation of all the different truss types (I'm not an expert either), check out the "Truss Bridges" article on Wikipedia. It indicated a truss with a segmented upper chord is a Parker style truss.
fyadcorp 1 month ago
wow....quite the bridge!
TMandN 1 month ago
I never did take any pictures of the construction. I didn't think there would be much interest in how I made it. Boy, was I wrong. I am trying to formulate some sort of "how to". I have had several requests. I'll try to not keep you waiting!
yemyrrej 2 months ago
I like what you have done. Very impressive. Have you done a "how to" video?
duckdogger 2 months ago
@duckdogger I never did take any pictures of the construction. I didn't think there would be much interest in how I made it. Boy, was I wrong. I am trying to formulate some sort of "how to". I have had several requests.
yemyrrej 2 months ago
Absolutely Amazing! I would like to try and do this too. Would you be able to provide all the sizes and dimensions? And some tutorials on how you put them together. Thanks!
jaughnVids 2 months ago
@jaughnVids I've been thinking about doing that lately since I've had so many people ask about it. I didn't take any pix while I made it. Ironically, I looked all over the internet about how to go about doing it and I've never posted any tutorials. If you have any specific questions, I'll try to answer them. I don't know when I'll get a chance to make a show and tell video.
yemyrrej 2 months ago
@yemyrrej Hi! If you don't mind, I would like to copy it but maybe scale it down to 3 feet. Would you be able to give me the dimensions of the woods used so I would know which ones to buy. Also, how are the joints connected? Are they just glued on? I'm trying to draw this based on the video but sometimes it's hard to see coz it's black. Would you happen to have photos of the parts? Thanks!
jaughnVids 2 months ago
@jaughnVids I'll see what I can do. I'll have to make some drawings or something. I should have but did not take photos during construction.
yemyrrej 2 months ago
wow, that is crazy!! looks goood :)
simcaP60fan 2 months ago
Your bridge looks awesome, It seems more feasible to think it was basswood that balsa. I have about 200.00 worth of balsa, it doesnt seem strong enough to build a bridge with it. Basswood however is a lot stronger. Either way,,,it looks great. Im having a friend build me a draw bridge that will be electric motor lifted. I have an older electric motor that came out of a late model Peterbilt as a power window motor
donsgotmoney 2 months ago
@donsgotmoney Believe it or not, it's 99% balsa. The bridge track weighs almost as much as the bridge. I've had ten locomotives on it at once and it does not flex. The strength comes from the engineering. When you build your drawbridge, you'll be amazed at the weight it'll hold!
yemyrrej 2 months ago
Also, Code 83 track?? or did you hand-lay it?
conrailbuff 3 months ago
@conrailbuff No I didn't handlay it. It's Micro-Engineering bridge track. It's a type of flextrack. It is available as either code 83 or code 70. I have to place the guardrail track myself. It's included.
yemyrrej 3 months ago
Due to the length of this awesome bridge, what size balsa did you use to keep it from buckling in the middle from its own weight an the weight of passing trains?
conrailbuff 3 months ago
@conrailbuff The entire bridge weighs less than five pounds. About half that weight is the track. The outer perimeter of the truss is 1/4" x 3/8". A 2" section interlocks with dowel pins in the bottom center. I scratch built I beams for the rail supports from 1/16" x 1/2" pieces. A 3" section overlaps in the middle. I should probably make a tutorial.
yemyrrej 2 months ago
This is absolutely wonderful and I just love it. I model N-scale and this just makes me want to change over to HO. You guys can do so much more detailed stuff.
Very nice and thanks for sharing.
JohnnyNCindy 3 months ago
,,SWEET!! Thankyou for sharing!!
Aztec2012AD 3 months ago
I live right across the river from Steubenville, Ohio. I know the bridge you are talking about. I want to model that old PRR Panhandle Division Bridge but have no idea where to start..........
BigUnitBeef 6 months ago
I live a long way away and only had pictures to reference. I'm not a purist so I only wanted plausible. Where I started was looking at some kits from cornerstone etc. They'll show you what has to happen to hold your model properly. Check out some picture books of railroads of the region. With some imagination you'll be able to make a reasonable facsimile. Take some of your own pix on site so you can include details that make your model fit.
yemyrrej 6 months ago
@yemyrrej I'm not exactly a purist myself but I do want to try and get it close. I seen you had a template to work with....you said a friend of yours made it for you. I think something like that would get me in the right direction. Do you know how he made it?
BigUnitBeef 6 months ago
@BigUnitBeef sorry for the delayed reply. I drew the pattern on my computer full size and he printed it out on a large format inkjet printer. Some quick print businesses might be able to print yours out for you. I suppose you could 'tile' out the same thing on a home computer printer. Triple check your measurements it you do this. Assembling the letter size prints would be a bear. Make registration marks.
yemyrrej 2 months ago
I live a long way away and only had pictures to reference. I'm not a purist so I only wanted plausible. Where I started was looking at some kits from cornerstone etc. They'll show you what has to happen to hold your model properly. Check out some picture books of railroads of the region. With some imagination you'll be able to make a reasonable facsimile. Take some of your own pix on site so you can include details that make your model fit.
yemyrrej 6 months ago
The bridge down by Garfield School going across route 7 nice work!!!
mrcaymanislands1 8 months ago
What scale is that. From a distance it looks HO but it kind of looks like O scale in the close up shots. Also, any concerns with warpages over the change of seasons?
chevelle396guy 10 months ago
It is HO. I haven't had any problems with warpages. The layout is in my basement, and I have a dehumidifier. I don't run it (dehumidifier) constantly. It does get chilly down there in the middle of winter. I don't have a vent down there for heating and cooling, but I probably should. Thanks for asking.
yemyrrej 10 months ago
Beautiful. I model MP/UP in HO scale, and I am a railroad bridge fanactic. Just something about them fascinates me. Swing bridge, bascule bridge, whatever railroad bridge. Have you seen the railroad bridges crossing the Mississippi River? They're awsome! Great video and excellent work on the bridges.
curraheewolf 1 year ago
Sweet layout, awesome bridges!!! You are very talented and have a sharp eye for perfection. thanks for sharing and please keep up the excellent work!!!!!!!!!!!!
disturbed1954 1 year ago
This is quite an amazing design! Being made of balsa wood, what would you guess the structure to weigh? May I ask, what is the purpose of the double rails? Very impressive work. You may wish to consider selling these to other model railroaders? You could sell it in a kit form, as I'm sure it would be a bear to ship without damage?
Great job & thanks for sharing.
walkerbelle 1 year ago
@walkerbelle I really should check these more often. The bridges weighs less than five pounds. Half of that is the track. The purpose of the inside rails 'double' rails is guard rails. At the ends of the bridge the inner rails wold converge to a point. I haven't added that yet. Selling to other railroaders? Maybe. I would guess it would take about 100 hours to recreate. I spent twice that time just trying to figure out how to do it. I have considered writing down how I did it. It's sturdy!
yemyrrej 1 year ago
Incredible work, looks really nice. Mind if we share your video on our GoMotorBids model railroad webpage? We think that many of our train customers would appreciate your work.
GoMotorBids 1 year ago
@GoMotorBids Sure. I was hoping to be able to help others think things through.
yemyrrej 1 year ago
What product are you using for the Block walls on the backdrop?
oystersoup 10 months ago
It is made by a German company called "NOCH". Labeled "Cut QuarryStone Wall, it measures 64x15cm. It's embossed paper. It's heavier than the paper you would put into your printer. It's worked very well for me.
yemyrrej 10 months ago