Galloping Gertie Tacoma Narrows bridge Unique Scale Model

See more at http://www.tacomanarrowsbridge.org Here is a video of the only known scale model of the famous Tacoma Narrows bridge, nicknamed Galloping Gertie, which collapsed only 4 months after it was completed- on November 7, 1940. The scale model was built using genuine original blueprints of the bridge, that were obtained from the engineer's estate. Clark Eldridge drew up the plans from 1938 thru 1940, and this model was made as the 3rd bridge was finished in 2007. It is true to scale height and width wise, with a compressed length. This was due to the long distance the Narrows bridges cross, being just over 1 mile. If the model was to scale lengthwise- it would have been over 22 feet long. It was not realistic to construct this model that long, so it was reduced to just over 7 feet long. The model took 4 months to build, and it was 100 percent scratchbuilt.

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Entertainment

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• Tacoma Narrows bridge
• Galloping Gertie
• collapsed bridge
• Tacoma Washington
• historic
• history
• disaster
• destroyed
• bridge
• scale model

[fredferdberfel]

Actually Yes- it does "flutter". The bridge deck is so long, narrow & thin, that because it is held up by the suspension cables, if the diorama is moved at all it moves the road deck. I found out that it also moves with the seasons- even when it hasn't been

[fredferdberfel]

moved from it's place. It is in the museum, which gets colder in the winter & warmer in the summer, and the arc over the water gets higher in the winter & lower in the summer. This effect also changes the side-span hold down cables, which are rigid. They get a deflection when the arc increases & are stressed when the arc lowers. I never thought a model could exhibit forces of nature, but after having it for 3 years now it never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for the nice comment.

[timbabcock]

I like this model. Is this in a museum yet?

[fredferdberfel]

It is in my Narrows bridge museum, along with the relics, plans, photos, and collectibles.

[70Kenny]

That is a very well done model of old Galloping Gertie! She truly was a beautiful bridge. I wish I could have seen her, but she fell down 30 years before I was born! I've heard it said that her fatal design flaw was the too-thin (from top to bottom) main roadway span. When the windstorm hit, the span acted more like an airplane wing. Can you confirm or deny that for me? Also, did divers ever find the car that fell along with the bridge?

[NearDeathExperienc]

Great Effort, The videos of the real one is amazing.

I wonder how the engineer felt later on.....

It would be interesting to know how it would/could be designed, what changes would have been made to the original plan knowing all this. More rigid deck I imagine that wouldn't flex?

[esmith512]

You did a great job on this bridge model! But one question that everyone would love to know: does it flutter? :-D Thanks for showing the world this model!

[amlive769]

Since I first saw a clip of Galloping Gertie at the age of 8 (22 years ago) I've been fascinated by it! You did a tremendous job!! Wish your museum was closer!

[VGRetro]

Very well done!