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Footbridge Options


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It also depends on the region. Plenty of older ones still about. Hagley for example still has a GWR type like the old Hornby kit (now Gaugemaster)

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-17666659

 

One of my local stations had one virtually the same as the Hornby one until about twenty years ago, unfortunately replaced by an awful modern one which isn't really that good for wheelchair access.

 

The Ratio SR concrete one would probably suit a more modern layout.

 

https://peco-uk.com/products/concrete-footbridge-2

 

This one looks good as well. Also SR I think (possibly LSWR)

 

https://peco-uk.com/products/modular-covered-footbridge-2?_pos=4&_sid=752a87504&_ss=r

 

If you are thinking of very modern, long footbridges with ramps then I haven't got the foggiest where you could get one I'm afraid.

 

 

Jason

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  • 3 weeks later...

NLT to forget the old Hornby Dublo concrete bridge. Spray it up and it looks ok. 

 

I used an old airfix kit and made it appear to have received laterlife modernisation by trespass-proof side walls and track catenary protectors complete with requisite cone and graffiti! 

5783F0E8-9BE3-43BC-A0CD-6A5313D2D9A5.jpeg

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Modellers beware!

 

No sooner have you lovingly made a model of a classic footbridge (like the one at Dawlish), very well weathered by decades of exposure to salt water ...

 

image.png.378775f7f63321d4d5c7c87ffc9a4e7e.png

Image © Network Rail

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/dawlish-station-to-get-a-new-plastic-footbridge

 

... than they chop it up and take it away!
 

Quote

 

Dawlish station to get a new plastic footbridge

 

Network Rail’s route asset manager for buildings, Simon Gyde said: “The renewal of Dawlish Station footbridge is driven by the asset condition and safety. The existing footbridge was last reconstructed in 1937, using steel girders taken from Park Royal Station. “Despite numerous repair schemes being carried out, the bridge suffers from the harsh marine environment, and now has significant areas of corrosion to the main girders and roof structure with poor protective paintwork and rotten timber decking.”

 

 

Image © Network Rail

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/dawlish-station-to-get-a-new-plastic-footbridge

 

What astonished me most is that the new plastic footbridge is already a Grade 2 Listed Building!

 

Quote

 

Newton Abbot MP Anne Marie Morris has officially opened the UK’s first Grade II listed plastic footbridge at Dawlish Station. She cut a ribbon across the steps to the new footbridge off the main platform at the seaside station on the south coast of Devon. The footbridge was part of a £1m improvement project which saw the removal of the rusting steel footbridge on 7 October. The new plastic polymer composite footbridge was then installed in mid October 2012. The bridge was officially opened by the local MP on the shortest day of the year.

 

Who designed it?

Designed by consulting engineers Tony Gee and Partners and their sub-consultant Optima Projects, the new footbridge has been constructed using modern advanced materials technology and is the first Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite bridge installed at a mainline station in the UK and notably the first grade II listed FRP bridge.

 

 

Ref : http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2013/new-plastic-station-footbridge/

 

Some might say that someone at Tony Gee and Partners must have been looking at this website and has got a sharp eye on the Rivet Police...
 

Quote

 

Rivet counters confused

Not only will the manufactured mouldings replicate the existing style of the original steel bridge - even down to plastic rivet heads - but it will be better able to withstand the harsh marine environment along the Dawlish seafront. The footbridge will be painted Admiral Gray in keeping with the rest of the station.

 

 

Ref : http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2013/new-plastic-station-footbridge/

 

More on the design:

 

image.png.a367de7dea16f55167b9e5e84a56862e.png

 

Image © and ref: https://www.lusas.com/case/bridge/dawlish_station_footbridge.html

 

Stand by for arguments about what paint should be used for Admiral Grey...

 

https://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk/pages/british-royal-navy-colour-schemes

 

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4 hours ago, Lantavian said:

 

I've just bought one. The plastic doesn't feel like styrene. It's slippery. What glue did you use, please?

 

Superglue, but as I say, it's difficult to glue so experiments are necessary.

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Some injection processes will use a silicon-based spray to act as a release agent. In the first instance, ensure that the agent is washed off in a good detergent. Then, try to use your preferred adhesive on a bit of sprue. The finer the injection imprint, the more liable that the machine operator will use a silicon spray release agent. 

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3 minutes ago, tomparryharry said:

Some injection processes will use a silicon-based spray to act as a release agent. In the first instance, ensure that the agent is washed off in a good detergent. Then, try to use your preferred adhesive on a bit of sprue. The finer the injection imprint, the more liable that the machine operator will use a silicon spray release agent. 

 

I do that with all the plastic kit sprues now. A technique that plastic kit modellers have apparently being using for years. It now even suggests it on Airfix kit instructions.

 

Just a tiny bit of Fairy Liquid or similar in a bowl of lukewarm water and rinse off.

 

 

 

 

Jason

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3 minutes ago, Steamport Southport said:

 

I do that with all the plastic kit sprues now. A technique that plastic kit modellers have apparently being using for years. It now even suggests it on Airfix kit instructions.

 

Just a tiny bit of Fairy Liquid or similar in a bowl of lukewarm water and rinse off.

 

 

 

 

Jason

 

Ah, Jason, you might be ahead of the curve. Not everyone will wash off the parts before use. The Ratio signal box windows are-is a real bu66er to affix. I'd be tempted to use a soldering iron, but with extreme care.  Lucas Girling use heat to seal off the brake cylinder assembly for motor vehicles. The surfaces are heated up on a hot plate, and then clamped together. The seal obtained is first class, but no chance whatsoever with any glue or adhesive.

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