RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 3, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 3, 2021 (edited) The “Middlemark” layout that my friend and I are constructing will have a river valley section with a high level viaduct in the background and a lower level stone arch bridge in the foreground. For the stone arch bridge I am using two Hornby R499 “River Bridges” stuck side by side to form the basis of a double track arched bridge. A quick Google image search found what could be the prototype for Hornby’s bridge - a former railway bridge over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The “stone” balustrades to the joined bridge sides were cut away before the bridges were stuck together and, as Hornby had moulded them in half-relief, they were separated and glued to the remaining balustrade to make them full-relief. The plan going forward is to elevate the whole bridge by extending the piers 50mm downwards, add abutment extensions and then “dress” the sides and arch soffit with “stone” cut from card stock. A bonus to this project is that, whilst these bridges are currently £18-£20 each on eBay, Hattons are selling them for £6 apiece. Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 7 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 3, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 3, 2021 (edited) Made a start on the stone dressing using various thicknesses of card stock. The stone coursing was scored using a Stanley knife. Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 4, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 4, 2021 (edited) Stone dressing completed to one side of the arch. Pier extensions in place. I used a set of chipboard blocks that came as spacers in a set of self-assembly shelves that I bought about 15 years ago. I kept them in case they were useful for something… Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 4 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 4, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 4, 2021 (edited) A bit more woodwork added… Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Compound2632 Posted September 4, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 4, 2021 Nicely done. It's probably rather wider than it needs to be for plain double track, unless you're using set-track at set-track centres (67 mm). With prototypical track centres, you only need a scale 26 ft (104 mm) between the inside faces of the balustrades - I suppose at the moment you are nearer 134 mm (33 ft 6 in). Could you cut one of the bridge units back by 30 mm? Alternatively, you could argue that the wider track centres were a consequence of other features, such as, maybe, a nearby bridge pier between the lines, or the approach to an island platform. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 4, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 4, 2021 (edited) Hi Compound2632, I’m going to infill the Hornby track “toughs” and go with streamline track centres. There will be a bit more than normal clearance to the balustrades but that will not look as bad as the set-track spacing. Inside face to inside face of the balustrades is 126mm. Could always say the bridge was originally built for broad gauge… Watch this space… Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 4, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 4, 2021 (edited) Bridge pier “cladding” commenced. Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 4, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 4, 2021 (edited) Hornby deck “troughs” filled in and track loosely positioned at the required streamline spacing - 50mm centre to centre. Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Compound2632 Posted September 4, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 4, 2021 Ah yes, timbered walkways on either side. I knew there must be a reason for the extra width! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 5, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 5, 2021 (edited) One pier completed - three to go. Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 5, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 5, 2021 (edited) Second pier and one side completed. Still a bit more work to do on the other side… Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 6, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 6, 2021 (edited) Cardboard surfaces sealed with future floor polish/varnish, primed, airbrushed “cotswold stone” and sealed again. Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 7 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 (edited) I take an interest in concrete structures etc. It was such a bold material. I wish they put a bit more effort into some of the modern stuff. Edited September 7, 2021 by LNERGE 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 11, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 11, 2021 (edited) Cladding applied to the other side of the bridge. This side will not be readily visible on the layout and so is much “simplified” compared to the side that will face the viewer/operator. Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted September 12, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 12, 2021 (edited) Painted, sealed and completed. The nature of the approach spans/embankment will be figured out when we build this part of the layout. Cheers Darius Edited February 26, 2023 by Darius43 8 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted February 26, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 26, 2023 Pictures restored. Cheers Darius Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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