NE Brownstone Viaduct

[deemery]

Russ Greene released parts for a new kit, which allows you to build a viaduct or stone arch bridge.  Each arch is 4", and there are both short and tall piers, plus abutments. 

I started working on mine today, after picking up some of the first run castings at Springfield.  Russ told me this was coming, so I designed a spot for it, with a 12" straight section and a 6" drop from track to benchwork base.

Today I discovered the tall pier castings are at the exact height, just a bit of shimming needed.  The track curves on one abutment, so it will have to be slightly skewed to the angle of the rest of the bridge. 

I cut away the splines, fit and shaped the main pieces to fit.   Next step is to think about how I'll glue them together, I don't want the end assembly to be fragile.

dave

[PRR Modeler]

That's going to be outstanding Dave.

[ReadingBob]

That's going to be outstanding Dave.

What he said!  These look terrific.  Can't wait to see how you color/finish them.   

[cuse]

Wow...very nice! All of Russ' stuff is so good too...I've got a spot for a significant but undetermined bridge scene that I may have to investigate a little further.


I'll be following


John

[postalkarl]

Dave:

Great looking bridge. Can't wait to see it finished and in place.

Karl

[BandOGuy]

Looking good from here.

[GPdemayo]

Great looking stone bridge Dave.....

[deemery]

One more photo of the slight angle at the abutment.


dave

[ACL1504]

Dave,

That really looks great. like the others, can't wait to see how you color it.

Tom

[jimmillho]

What Tom said, I will be watching.

Jim

[Lynnb]

I too am looking for to how you color and finish them.

[deemery]

Today's project was to get the bridge assembled, as I want it completely assembled (and any gaps filled) before I start to color it.

My first idea was to glue the segments together with strong wood glue, and put a thin plastic strip along the bottom as a 'keeper'.  Well, that wasn't strong enough.  I got separations between 2 arches, and between another arch and an abutment.  (Glue was fine, the plaster behind it gave way, just not strong enough to support the weight.)  So I went to Home Depot and got 1/16 x 1" steel to run along the bottom, and glued everything that broke loose back together with 5 min epoxy.

Turns out there was about 3/32" difference in height between the wood blocks and the tall piers, so I had to remove that from the bottom of the piers.  So between my 'vixen file' and 60 grit sandpaper, I got the bottoms of the piers reduced.  I got a bit enthusiastic about sanding, and some pieces chipped off.  Those I glued back together, but the lesson learned is "slow and steady". 

Then once the piers fit, including a bit of filing on the bottom of the arches, I glued them in place.

Now to let things dry completely.  Tomorrow I'll do the small pilaster pieces between the arches, fill gaps, and touch up any chips.

dave

[PRR Modeler]

Looking good Dave.

[deemery]

One more, bridge in position.  I added the (white) braces under the splines on either end of the bridge to hold them steady too.

dave

[Janbouli]

Dave that is one beautiful bridge.