I have started construction of an Arch Truss Bridge for my layout. I have an area on the layout that will require three bridges to cross a canyon and river. The picture below shows this area and the arch bridge will be located in postion 1. It will be 200 ft long.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-080818221940.jpeg)
My inspirations for the bridge are the Vance Creek Bridge in the State of Washington that was built for the Simpson Lumber to open up the Olympic Peninsula to logging. It was built in 1928. John Allen's, Squaw Bottom Bridge is the other one that influenced me.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-080818222632.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-080818222208.jpeg)
So I used the 3rd Planit software to draw a construction plan and to provide templates for ease of construction.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-080818222357.jpeg)
So for its construction, I used the Central Valley laced girders for the vertical members, for the horizontal chords, I ripped the laced girders on a saww attachment I have for my unimat, the glued the halves together, and for the diagonals, I built them up from 1/16" styrene angles and strips of styrene as show on the right of the picture below.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-080818221745.jpeg)
The remaing pictures are the steps I did to construct the bents.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-080818221650.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-080818221533.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-080818222033.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-080818221836.jpeg)
Steve,
Wonderful start and of course I'll be following along. This will be a great eye catcher on the layout. Along with all the other fantastic models.
Tom ;D
Very cool. I'll be following.
Can't wait to see this one come to life Steve.....I'll be watching. :)
Very cool! The prototype is beautiful. I will be following along.
Very nice job. can't wait to see it finish
Eric
What a great project , that's a beautiful prototype.
Thanks for stopping in. I can't wait to see how it turns out also. Not quite sure how to assemble to different built up components yet, like the bents to the arch, but I have an idea that I keep churning in my mind. So we shall see. I remember the bridge on John Allen's layout from my visits when I was in high school and college with our local model railroad club.
Just hope I can do justice to this project and be as nice looking as the prototype since this is different type of construction for me.
Steve,
Never knew John Allen's bridge had a prototype. This will really be an eye catcher !
What are you using for the rivets ?
Tommy
Hi Tom,
Uh Uh Uh what am I going to do for rivets?. Maybe I might use the Micro Mark raised rivet decals. I did experiment with them on one bent and they look pretty good. What a pain in the you know what though.
I don't know whether the Vance Creek Bridge was the prototype for John Allen's bridge.
Quote from: sdrees on August 11, 2018, 01:18:24 PM
Hi Tom,
Uh Uh Uh what am I going to do for rivets?. Maybe I might use the Micro Mark raised rivet decals. I did experiment with them on one bent and they look pretty good. What a pain in the you know what though.
I don't know whether the Vance Creek Bridge was the prototype for John Allen's bridge.
How about the rivet tool like the Rivet-R? That's what I'm using for nail holes now instead of a pound wheel but it is normally used by the military and aircraft modeling guys for pushing rivets pockets into thin sheet materials.
Thanks Vince for the idea. I will check it out.
Quote from: vinceg on August 11, 2018, 01:52:46 PM
Quote from: sdrees on August 11, 2018, 01:18:24 PM
Hi Tom,
Uh Uh Uh what am I going to do for rivets?. Maybe I might use the Micro Mark raised rivet decals. I did experiment with them on one bent and they look pretty good. What a pain in the you know what though.
I don't know whether the Vance Creek Bridge was the prototype for John Allen's bridge.
How about the rivet tool like the Rivet-R? That's what I'm using for nail holes now instead of a pound wheel but it is normally used by the military and aircraft modeling guys for pushing rivets pockets into thin sheet materials.
I'm sure you all knew this, but that should have been pounce wheel. I would like to blame auto spelling correction, but I can't. Wait....yes, I can!
Hi Steve:
Look like you are off to a good start. Will be following along. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Karl
Hi Karl,
thanks for stopping by Karl, I can't wait to see how it is going to turn out also.
Hey Vince,
I read it as pounce wheel, but I have been looking on the internet at the River-R tool. I don't see how it will give me raised rivets, even if I use the tool on the back of the styrene.
Quote from: sdrees on August 11, 2018, 03:15:45 PM
Thanks Vince for the idea. I will check it out.
In case you're interested, here's a link to the place where I bought mine. It wasn't easy to find in the US but these guys have been very good to me. Comes with a set of wheels, the smallest of which is .75 mm. For nail holes, I use the .65mm wheel (Bob Van Gelder's recommendation in his SRMW kits). It's an add-on you can buy if you like.
Steve, you're correct, it doesn't give raised rivets, except I believe on thin foil. Aircraft rivets are nearly flush, so the Rivet R and similar tools make a small hole which your mind thinks looks like a raised rivet. I think you'll be better off with the Archer (and similar) "dry transfer" rivets.
Jeff
I have been placing the rivet decals of the last couple of days. I am using Micro-Mark's raised rivet decals.
Beautiful job Steve.
Jerry
So back to the bridge construction. I built this jig to assemble the bridge components. The arch to support the bridge was cut on a bandsaw from 4" foam and placed in the wood frame.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-170918123755.jpeg)
I then laid the bottom bridge chords on the foam and pined them to the foam with some nails.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-170918123843.jpeg)
Then I placed a 2 x 2 on top of the wooden frame, the bottom of the 2 x 2 which is the top of the headers of the bridge bents.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-170918123936.jpeg)
The bents will then be supported by the 2 x 2 as shown while they are glued in place and the gusset plates installed and additional bracing.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-170918124056.jpeg)
Awesome work. Keep it up. I really like Arch bridges. Good examples up here on the CPR and CNR routes.
Good stuff, Steve. This is going to be a killer model. Looking forward to following along.
Thanks Vince, I sure hope it turns out like you say.
Thanks Daryl, appreciate the comment.
Steve
Another great project - I will be following along.
Thanks John. this project is a whole new learning experience for me.
Steve..........
You mentioned a Unimat..................
You and I must be the only ones left with one of those.
I built the Falk loco some years ago on a Unimat...... Look in scratch building for the thread.
I got mine in 1961 when the second version first came out. I too have a saw attachment but I seldom use it as my table saw in the garage is too convenient.
I've put a lot of miles on it but it is supremely durable.
see ya
Bob
Steve...what a project you have going on here...I will certainly be following along
Terry
Here is my Unimat Bob. I picked mine up about the same time you got yours. I bought mine at an auction while attending a Coast Division Meeting in Northern California. I have never really learned how to use it properly. Maybe one of these days. I was able to get new drive belts for it from some guy in Chocago.
So here I am ripping the web on the laced girders to make them about half the size of the original girders.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-200918114355.jpeg)
This is a comparison of the two girders. The smaller ones, I will use for the diagonal bracing and I have used them for the cross bracing on the bridge bents.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-200918114909.jpeg)
Here I have attached the bents to the jig.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-200918114814.jpeg)
This shows how I have attached the bents to the jig using rubber bands.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/245-200918115108.jpeg)
Hi Terry,
I appreciate it that you are going to follow along. Hope it works out OK.
Steve.....
That Unimat is the first of the later model. You have me by about a year.
Regarding belts...........Don't pay anyone anything for them..........
Go to a good hardware supply or automotive supply and get neoprene O rings. I think the larger one is a 3 1/2" by 1/8" and the smaller one is a 2 1/2" by 1/8".
They don't need the twist band that they originally came with nor do they need some trick this or that.
This is the 1960's........... things just weren't that complicated then ! ! ! !
Regarding learning stuff on it........... Just get out there and start turning stuff.
It can be used as the following: common lathe, drill press, verticle mill, horizontal mill, a dremel with a cut off wheel can be set up as a horizontal post shaper......... and a bunch more.
Hopes this helps
see ya
Bob
Great project and great old tools - it doesn't get any better than this.
Steve,
Just getting caught up on the thread. WOW, fantastic project - love it and the step by step process.
All thumbs up!
Tom ;D
Thanks Tom, hope you enjoy it.
Appreciate the comments John, Thanks!!!!
Hey Steve:
You are off to a good start. Looks great so far.
Karl
This is going to be an incredible looking bridge.
Here is the latest progress on the bridge. I am in the process of fitting the diagonal bracing to the bridge.
Following along with interest; I have a steel deck truss to build at some point.
Fantastic piece of engineering, Steve. Wonder if Central Valley wants to license your design to make a new kit offering....
Steve,
Very impressive progress on an ambitious project. I'm late to tag along, but glad I did. Your method of attaching the bents to the jig is genius.
Attached are progress photo's on the arch bridge. I now have to fabricate and install gusset plates where the members come together.
Hi George,
Thanks for stopping by. I can't take all the credit for the jig. But I modified a jib found in a Model Railroader bridge construction manual.
Great looking bridge.
Steve,
Very impressive work on the bridge and it looks great as well.
Tom ;D
That bridge is a beautiful piece, Steve. S'gonna look great once you install it.
Hey, that looks like Brownsville Depot in the background but with a few adaptations. Did you scratch build that?
Thanks Vince. Go to this link and it will give you my story on the Station.
http://modelersforum.com/layout-tours/sp-rr/90/
Also thanks Tom and Curt for stopping by
Thanks for the link. Great story around the station. I remember seeing the latter part of this thread earlier this year but missed the station part. The whole thread is great.
I believe the most recent MicroMark catalog has a new release of the Unimat. I remember seeing and longing for one in the 60s and 70s but had to wait until I got to my 60s and got the MicroMark milling machine. I love it!!!
I have been cutting and fitting gusset plates today. I have been making the gussets from .015" styrene. I also bought some rivet decals from Archer. One small sheet is a little over $20.00. But you can see them as shown in the attached pictures. I used Micro Mark rivet decals on the bridge bents and after painting, you can hardly see them.
Steve,
This is absolutely amazing modeling! Looking forward to seeing it installed on the layout.
Hey Steve:
This just gets better every time I see it. Keep up the great work. Can't to see it on the layout also.
Karl
Thanks Jerry and Karl, I also can't wait to see it on the layout, but I have to get some scenery done first.
Steve,
This is probably my favorite build thread. Amazing, just amazing model sir.
Tom ;D
Hi Steve, that is coming along great!
I am interested in the archer decals. I have used the micromark ones but not archer. would you say the Archer decal film is the same thickness as the micromark ones?
that is one good looking structure!
Hi Tom,
I am glad you are enjoying this thread. This is a whole new experience for me, building a scratch built bridge from styrene. As you know, I am used to working with wood.
Hi Daryl,
The decal film for the Archer Decals is the same as Micro-Marks. The rivets show up so much better than the Micro-Mark. I know they are expensive, but they go a long way.
Amazing work Steve..... 8)
After taking a break last week and going on a vacation to Puerto Vallarta with my wife, it is back to the work bench like everyone likes to call it. So I have continued the work on the bridge by adding the cross bracing between the bottom arch members. I used the cross bracing from the Central Valley truss bridge that they used to brace the top members of the truss.
the next step is to paint the bridge and weather it before I add the ties.
Awesome Steve, what a great scratchbuild.
That is a bridge to be proud of.
Thanks Jan and Curt. Appreciate you stopping by.
Here are the final pictures of the Arch Bridge Construction. I am going to have to set it aside now until I get some scenery done before I can install it.
and more pictures
Very nice ... two thumbs up
Du grand Art
Eric
Very sweet, Steve.
Extremely cool Steve.
Great looking bridge Steve.
Jim
Nice bridge , will be interesting to see how it looks in its new home.
That's one beautiful bridge.....well done Steve. 8)
Thanks for everybody's comments. Much appreciated. This was my first foray into scratch building with styrene. Used to working with wood and this is my first major bridge. More to go.
Truly magnificent Steve.
Wow! How did I miss this? Truly spectacular build!!
That is one impressive bridge, Steve. Nice work.
Jeff
Thanks for stopping by Jan and Mark. Appreciate the comments.
Looks fantastic, Steve!
Cheers, Mark.
I also like how that came out.
Steve,
Wow, fantastic job on the bridge.
Tom ;D
Thanks Tom, now I just have to get the backdrop painted and some scenery done to get the bridge installed. But I am still working on some buildings for the sawmill area.
To sum it up in one word. AWESOME!!
A real masterpiece.
Jerry
Jerry
Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.