Boston Mountains Sub-Division

Please tell me what your story of the alternator, Bob. I know it is off topic for this thread but it is okay with me.

Joe

 

Well we go our Pilot running again. We had to get a mechanic to work on it. While I was waiting for him I worked on the bridge for a little while, hope to finish it tonight after dinner.

Joe

 

I wasn't able to finish last night but did this morning. Here are a photos of the bridge.

This kit wasn't the easiest model to assemble, there were no alignment pins or tabs on almost all of the critical parts. The kit could probably be assembled in a day, it took me three days of work about two or three hours per day. But I work slow so someone else could probably do it a lot quicker.

Joe

 

My next project on the Arkansas River Bridge project is to modify the main span from a double track bridge to a single. Will start on it this afternoon.

Joe

 

I decided to work on the Kato truss bridge first instead of the Tomix main span bridge. When I finish modifying both will test fit all three bridges on the layout. Altogether the three bridges will span 42.5 inches long across the Arkansas River on module 05. Will post photos as work progresses.

Joe



Sorry about the photo quality, I took them at the same time but two came out dark.

 

That was quick, cut the Kato bridge to 6.75 inches long and it only took about 15 minutes to do. I used a razor saw to make the cuts and it worked like a charm. Hope the Tomix main span bridge goes just as easy. Did the Kato bridge first to figure out what tools I might need for the main span when I work on it tomorrow.

Joe

 

I couldn't wait to see how the three bridges will look on the layout. Remeasured the bridges and altogether the span is about 44 inches long. Started cutting the Topic main span this morning and will finish it in a few minutes, so far it has been easy to cut. Will post photos as the work progresses.

Joe

 

I got the bridge cut up into pieces and ready to assemble, it was very easy to cut with a cutoff disc in my cordless drill. Only took about 30 minutes to do. Have a couple of chores to do then I will put it together.

Joe

 

I installed the truss that was cut off this afternoon to the other truss and floor which is now a single track with a walkway. It is ready for the cross braces to be installed in the morning. I cut a piece of 1 inch foam to be a spacer for the two trusses to hold them in position when gluing the braces. It's been a busy day and I'm ready to call it a night.

Joe

 

Tom:

No walkways except for the north/south adjoining spans to the lift span. The remaining older portions, and lift itself, do not have walkways.



Andre

 

Tom, I don't believe the real bridge has a walkway from what I remember in the photos I've seen. Left it on because it would be too hard to remove it, also the main span is the same width as the Walter's bridge.

Joe.
.
Edit: Andre answered your question.

 

Joe:

Agree 100%: Don't mess with removing material from your bridge. If it were me, the overall shape would look "good 'enuf" to capture the feel of the river bridge "as is". Painted appropriately, your bridge scene will be effective.

Andre

 

We just got back from Top Shelf Hobbies where I bought a package of 3.2mm I beams and 2.0mm square stock styrene to scratch build the lift towers on each end of the main span. Does anyone have a close view photo of them? Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Joe

 

Joe:

Just went through my handful of onboard pics and I don't have any pictures of the counterweights or such as that. Sorry.

Andre

 

Thank you for looking Andre.

The photo of the towers on post 325 may be good enough, I was hoping to see one a little closer.

Does anyone know where I can find ladders with safety cage?

Joe

Edit: added question about ladders.

 

Just finished the Tomix main span bridge!!! Adding the cross braces turned out was a very tedious job and I'm glad it's over. Wish I had kept track of how many hours it took to modify the bridge. The early stages went pretty quick. Probably spent over half of the time installing the cross braces. Tomorrow I will start scratch building the lift towers using the I beams and square stock purchased Wednesday afternoon.

Joe