Scratch built beam bridge

[GNB]

To improve the basic look of a dark corner raised turning circle, I had a bash at scratch building a simple beam bridge.

The materials were plastic DIY angle, Midwest Products white styrene sheet (0.04 &0.06"), a few nuts and bolts and assorted tools. Used 4 sheets (11 x 7.6"), 1 length (2.5m) of each angle and a couple of packs of nuts & bolts, total cost ca. £20.

Here's what it looks like in the 'white', together with the materials, and in it's approximate final position:



Current track supports will be disguised appropriately and the edging installed on the rest of the raised section. Unsure of the final colour at the moment but the next job will be application of the grey plastic undercoat.

 

[G-force1]

Railways often painted their bridges with Micaceous Iron Oxide paint. It is a dull mid to dark grey with a very slightly silver touch.

 

[mike]

We like bridges we do...

 

[pugwash]

Oh no, Mike is going to start singing Simon & Garfunkel

Seriously nice bridge though.

 

[GNB]

Quick update on completed scratch built bridge under test.



Silver came out a bit bright and textured grey concrete support structures need a bit of weathering, otherwise works well and accommodates curve section at the start of the overhead loop quite well.

Surprising what the 99-6001 will pull up a 1;20 gradient! Appears to be "36 axles" in the GSC way of measurement, although my intent was to confirm the maximum train length accommodated within the loop isolation section.

 

[Northsider]

We do like bridges, and this one is a particularly nice example. If it was mine I'd turn it out in red oxide, but this looks too nice for that treatment; maybe dark grey or satin black?

 

[Andrew Foster]

Haven't been here for a while - got some catching up to do! A customer wanted a 'silver' painted bridge in the style sometimes seen in the western USA, and it turned out to be harder than we thought. Using a spray can, it didn't look right at all - too coarse and shiny a finish. The cure turned was to give it a coat of Testor's Dullcote over the silver, and then it looked just right, making it a little more grey than silver.

Andrew

 

[GNB]

Update. It’s lost it’s shine to mature to a fairly acceptable zinc grey.