2025-2026 Winter Challenge Topic: Rt. 1 Overpass, Br. 36.06

[jbvb]

I decided to join, late, after thinking about some photos a friend sent showing the subject of this project: Turning this strip of hardboard into a model of the original US Rt. 1 overpass over the B&M Eastern Route main just RR west of the Newburyport/Newbury town line.



Jim, if this is too far along to count as a Challenge topic, let me know.

I neglected to photograph it before its concrete crumbled from too much road salt and it was demolished in 1996. But friends found enough to work with Here's a distant shot from the RR east (farther from Boston) side:



Civil Engineering students are boring holes for experimental pile driving. They chose this area because the subgrade is crummy at best and replacement of the old overpass would start soon. Here's a close-up of the east side:



The once double-tracked main line used the right span. The left span only had an industrial lead. Crumbling concrete made them shift the highway to cross the abandoned track at grade on the west side, behind the guardrail visible in the background.

Next a close-up of the west side, which had a sidewalk.  This gives a better view of the concrete pillars and spans that supported both approaches.



I'm building the main bridge spans in styrene. I'm thinking the piers that support the span girders might be worth making patterns and casting. But I'll need, at best, only eight of one kind of half-pier, four of the other. I could cast the approach viaduct segments in resin, or I could cut them out of wood or high-density foam.

[jbvb]

Starting to fit the East girder core to the existing hardboard.  This simple approach didn't work: the girder sloped down L to R, and  the East and West side girders weren't going to wind up horizontally parallel.

[Mark Dalrymple]

This looks like a very cool and different project, James.

Personally, I would love to see you make some masters and cast your abutments.

Cheers, Mark.

[Rick]

James, this is a great bridge to model.
I'll enjoy watching you build it.

[KentuckySouthern]

Draw them up and 3d print them...

[elwoodblues]

James,

This is a different project, will be interesting to follow along, which I will be doing.

[Larry C]

James neat project and certainly something different.

[jbvb]

Thanks, Mark, Rick, Karl, Ron and Larry C.  Karl, going 0-60 on 3D printed objects in time for April 15 seems iffy, particularly with my other jobs intruding.  But it's an option...



Wednesday afternoon I worked on girder position and support for proper appearance and RR clearance. The 1/2" dowel piers are all different lengths and labeled, though temporary. The East girder core isn't exactly level but I will be able to make it match the West. Overhead clearance is OK, side clearance is "glad this isn't on a curve".  I committed to this layout by solvent-cementing a "curb" of .060" x .080" strip along the top of the "deck".

[ACL1504]

James,

This is going to be a fun build to watch. Love the actual photos.

Tom

[PRR Modeler]

I'll definitely be following.

[friscomike]

Howdy Jame,

Wow, that overpass looks like an amazing project.  The photos reveal that it is loaded with character.

Have fun,
mike

[Jerry]

James this will be really worth following.

Jerry