I had planned to use the Campbell Through Truss Bridge on this layout, but twice now, when I put the bridge on the layout to test fit it, I've broken it. The last time, one truss was almost completely smashed. Granted, I'm a klutz, but I'm starting to think that, as beautiful as this model is (or was) it's just too fragile to use on a portable layout, especially close to the edge. I have nightmare images of loading it in the car to take to a show and getting there with the bridge once again in pieces.
At this point I'm thinking I will probably instead use a Micro Engineering H.O. scale 50 foot steel deck girder bridge kit that I have on hand. I also have a Central Valley 72 foot through girder bridge -- almost exactly the same length as the Campbell bridge, so it could probably sit on the same piers, or at least the same footings. In my mental picture, I like the deck girder better, I think, but we'll see. Either way, I could cobble together the approaches from an ME steel trestle that I have left over from my old H.O. layout, or else use wood trestle bents. It won't look as cool, but it would be a lot more practical.
I'll eventually repair the wood truss bridge and use it on a diorama that will reside safely on a bookshelf in my home office.
This morning I stained a bunch of stripwood with Minwax Dark Walnut stain, diluted with turpentine. Tomorrow I'll add a gray wash. I did 30 feet of 1/8 inch square, which I'll cut into ties, 3/16 square for trestles, 1/16 x 1/8 for bracing, and 1/8 x 1/4 for stringers. I also did some 1/16 x 1/4 in case I decide to do a tunnel liner.
10/30/24: Here's another shot with the truss bridge in place after putting a base coat of paint on the foam. It really looks good in person (even though it's partly broken). The photos don't do it justice.
I also got a box of Campbell pine trees, and stuck one of the trunks in the hillside. The "little trains in a big landscape" thing is really going to be impressive when it all comes together.
Every time I put the bridge in place (broken though it may be) I start wavering again: The intricate wood truss just looks so striking, and I'm afraid using a steel girder bridge won't give the same effect. So today I finally broke down and ordered a Campbell H.O. deck truss bridge. From the look of it, I think this will be quite a bit sturdier than the pony truss, and it also looks like it's a little narrower so it won't come quite so close to the edge of the layout. That should be here by the weekend. It will probably take at least a couple of weeks to build.
The supporting trestles are not part of the kit, but the picture gives me a good idea of what I need to build.
10/31/24: The new bridge arrived very quickly, but unfortunately there are no instructions in the box. The seller appears to have another of the same kit in stock, so I emailed them and asked if they could open up the other kit, make a copy of the instructions, and send them to me. They said they would do that. A little annoying, but not the end of the world; honestly, I could probably figure it out without the instructions. The Model Railroader Bridges & Trestles book that I have includes drawings of a bridge of exactly this type, so it would just be a question of matching up the kit parts to the prototype drawings and figuring out a logical assembly sequence.
Meanwhile, I glued down three feet or so of ties at the tunnel end and around past where the water tank will go. I need to cut some more ties tonight, and tomorrow I'll spike down the first few feet of rail.
11/1/24: First couple feet of rail spiked down.
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| Even though the rocks just have a primer coat, and there's no detailing, this shot starts to capture some of that "little train in a big landscape" vibe. |
I hooked up feeders and tested the DCC EX system with my DCC Porter. Seems like I need to make some small adjustments to the track, but overall, it was a very satisfactory day.
11/6/24: A couple of work-in-progress shots of the tunnel.
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