I started construction of a Hunterline Howe Truss Bridge. It will go on the layout as shown in the picture below.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519191826.jpeg&hash=1cb0141a04282a9c28bccc7de9152c8363565835)
The kit is for a 170' Bridge but I only need a 150' bridge and therefor eliminated two panels in the middle. What I did was to take a set of plans and cut the two middle panels out and taped the remainder of the plans back together since the plans are used as a template for the construction of the bridge components.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519184541-388701810.jpeg&hash=f2bbc56fc161a4c2e4dab9dde9c188ad36ec5b71)
Box Cover
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519184541-388742315.jpeg&hash=00810edd08a8ac38a0ed4e448c615f4a17d5e0e5)
Kit Contents
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519190029-388781020.jpeg&hash=b588e16c0883aaf2e00f76213847bd0b95af56f9)
What the completed Bridge looks like
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519184542-388752004.jpeg&hash=128b834bcf4d1dc4da0e6789cea6c5dc75fbb2aa)
Plans
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519184542-388772429.jpeg&hash=93f0e0a3e30315b2205d87b70a21f43a1ed590e3)
Installing /spacers between timbers
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519190030-388792164.jpeg&hash=7fb5fef99973356526107a4881b3438027c9177d)
Chord Assembly
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519190030-388811203.jpeg&hash=215512eae64c47fe6a2237e217491bd51175f7fb)
Completed Bottom Chords
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519190030-38882568.jpeg&hash=ff34f3bee4e28c54adef62379ed7841e3b7f72a4)
Completed Track Bed
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519190304-38883942.jpeg&hash=61adcb7150350e306b653f70322dd68253d54406)
Completed Truss
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519190304-388841830.jpeg&hash=8fc8dd8df4318c2e4fc5b2ec23f3108739d0c2d7)
Close up of Truss
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-180519190304-388851584.jpeg&hash=fb54f9c5d15bdcc9fee118698f68029529adc0a6)
Standing Truss
A fine job your doing there!
Did you use there stain??
Jerry
Looks great Steve! I like the color you used to stain it. I'm thinking of picking up the shorter version of this for my layout. Any tricky parts so far with the assembly? Keep those progress pics coming!
Looks like a complex build. I also like the color you're using.
Jeff
The bridge is looking great so far.
Wow! That's coming along quite fast. Looks great!
;D ;D 8)
That's a great looking bridge Steve.....I'm looking forward to your build. :)
Well Bruce, I wish it was that fast , but I have been working on it for several weeks now. I could never be as fast as Karl. The project isn't that tricking at all, it is just very repetitious. You have to use the templates provided to get everything lined up properly and I went to the reproduction print shop and had copies of the plans made so that I wouldn't ruin the originals because I use a lot of double sided cellophane tape to hold everything in place.
There are also hundreds of nut and bolt castings to install.
Ouch! I feel your pain with the NBW's.
Well, it still looks fantastic.
Those nut and bolt castings do take quite a bit of time to install.
BTW, none of us are as fast as Karl. Just saying. He's beyond amazing.
;D ;D :o
One trick I've heard for doing a lot of NBW is to cut them flush, rather than drilling holes. Then dip into CA and place them. I think this works better with larger NBW, the small ones are too likely to slip off the tweezers...
dave
So this is where I assembled the trusses by adding the floor beams. I have installed one of the pair of floor beams at each location. All the bricks and steel weights are to make sure everything is square during the process. I have to add the portal bracing to help keep things square.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-200519123559-388861919.jpeg&hash=97be5539cf7d33ee0ae26cd64e68fdd3a327b50f)
Several closeup shots.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-200519123602-388941727.jpeg&hash=9a238708849804a90f791f0dffb7ba9814e306af)
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-200519123601-388932019.jpeg&hash=ebebee78e8a1d5ae301c339ecb792089060c1d88)
That is a really complex build and you're doing a great job.
Hey Steve:
Looks like lots of work. It's coming along quite nicely.
Karl
Thanks Curt and Karl for stopping by. Yesterday I installed the tie rods between the bottom chords and it is really tough to drill through the chords and get the tie rods aligned properly. Those won't show so much, but now I have do the top chords and I want them to look right.
Steve what did you use for stain???
Jerry
Hi Jerry,
I used Hunterline brown stain.
Quote from: deemery on May 20, 2019, 09:27:11 AM
One trick I've heard for doing a lot of NBW is to cut them flush, rather than drilling holes. Then dip into CA and place them. I think this works better with larger NBW, the small ones are too likely to slip off the tweezers...
dave
That is how I install nbw castings. I never realized there was another method--but now that you describe it, I do recall seeing that bit of leading rod under the casting. To be fair, I have generally only worked with the larger sized nbw castings. Don't know if I'd have the patience for the 1 inch and smaller.
--George
Quote from: Opa George on May 21, 2019, 05:09:55 PM
...
Don't know if I'd have the patience for the 1 inch and smaller.
--George
I measure effectiveness in the percentage of NBW castings that actually make it onto the model! ;D With the smallest size, it's often 50%
dave
Installing the 1" nit and bolt castings did try my patience, but I put them all on. The thing is, you can hardly see them and the location where the bridge is going to be installed, you won't be able to see them. But I can say I did it.
Quote from: sdrees on May 21, 2019, 10:35:33 PM
...you won't be able to see them. But I can say I did it.
Words of a true craftsman!
--George
Quote from: sdrees on May 21, 2019, 10:35:33 PM
... the 1" nit and bolt castings
The Freudian Slip/typo of the week!!!
dave
This is great Steve! I haven't tried to build anything like since I did the much shorter Campbell version way too long ago. :o
Quote from: sdrees on May 21, 2019, 04:50:40 PM
Hi Jerry,
I used Hunterline brown stain.
Thanks Steve.
Jerry
Attached are more progress photo's of the bridge. I notched the cross braces that go on the bottom of the bridge as shown so they would sit flush.
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-220519181551-389112212.jpeg&hash=5dbf7a352bbadd74ec8e7c7ecadda02898b586db)
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-220519181551-38912598.jpeg&hash=7fdff5e9e398d114c837c3140ae0efae218470a3)
(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersforum.com%2Fgallery%2F245-220519181551-389131447.jpeg&hash=19dc5664ff54e0d223d29ce6d6762575772662de)
Really nice job.
HO scale half lap joinery. I'm impressed!!
Quote from: dick green on May 22, 2019, 09:42:26 PM
HO scale half lap joinery. I'm impressed!!
I second that! And that top-down photo showing the complexity is a work of art in itself. Nice build, Steve.
--George
Thanks George, appreciate the nice comment. What you are looking at in this picture is the Bottom Chord.
Steve,
Wow, what a complex structure. You've done a fantastic job on the bridge and ti shows. Very well done.
Tom ;D
Appreciate your comment Tom. Thanks
Some recent pictures of progress on the Howe Bridge Project. What I have remaining is to mount the track on the track bed and then install the track bed onto the bridge.
Steve
Really looks great. There is a lot of work in a bridge.
Really nice modeling Steve.
I agree........ Very nice job!!!! Dennis
Ditto, very well done
Eric
Beautifully done, Steve.
--George
Absolutely gorgeous.
Thanks for all the nice comments everybody. And thank god that nobody called it pretty like my wife does.
Steve...
Very cool.
Thanx
Bob