LNERGE Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) Puts my attempt to shame... Some photo's of the real one too.. Click on the picture and it will take you to a Flickr album. Pictures taken during an engineering block. Edited February 7, 2022 by LNERGE 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted February 7, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 7, 2022 45 minutes ago, LNERGE said: Puts my attempt to shame... Some photo's of the real one too.. Click on the picture and it will take you to a Flickr album. Pictures taken during an engineering block. It will be interesting to see how your bridge progresses. Can't really see the sectional detail with just the one side on photo. Thanks very much for the link to the Chesterton 1550 Junction bridge photos. Really useful detailing information. It seems nearly every bridge design in the past used to be different, until BR attempted to standardise them. Many of the gusset plates you have cut out may be produced by Central Valley Model Works in the near future. As well as the already available girder sections, Jeff at CVMW said he was working on new sprues with selections of gusset plates. Really useful for scratch builders. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) 51 minutes ago, zr2498 said: It will be interesting to see how your bridge progresses. Can't really see the sectional detail with just the one side on photo. Edited February 7, 2022 by LNERGE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 55 minutes ago, zr2498 said: It will be interesting to see how your bridge progresses. Can't really see the sectional detail with just the one side on photo. Thanks very much for the link to the Chesterton 1550 Junction bridge photos. Really useful detailing information. It seems nearly every bridge design in the past used to be different, until BR attempted to standardise them. Many of the gusset plates you have cut out may be produced by Central Valley Model Works in the near future. As well as the already available girder sections, Jeff at CVMW said he was working on new sprues with selections of gusset plates. Really useful for scratch builders. That’s my point. My side is finished and on the layout. There is no rivet detail when there really should be. It is hiding an almost impossible span and is an attempt to show a bridge of different design to the main line as it was made at a different time/company. Yours is inspirational for sure and especially the mention of parts to help. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Here it is lurking in the background with equally deficient in detail bowstring structures on the main lin es 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted February 9, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 9, 2022 (edited) A little more progress: The upper parts of the cross bracing gusset assemblies have been added to the truss frames Trying to replicate these on the Findhorn viaduct or these on the Forth bridge The cross bracing at the bottom of the truss frames will be made up of some straight and some diagonals lattice beams. They will be a modified version of these on the CVMW single track truss bridge sprues All of these will need to be shortened. The straight pieces are complete and a mock up of a typical position is shown below. There is another type of gusset plate made up on the opposite side. This will be used for connection between the two sets of truss frames. The bridge will be a double track (4 truss frames) unlike the Findhorn Corner upper gussets also added but still trying to work out what is at the end of the truss frames (no really good photos) Possibly channel section back to back? Still waiting for the rivets from Archers (they have been bouncing around the States for the last 9 days). So moved on to the deck for a change. Back in the early days of this build the bridge deck was widened. The cross bearers were widened so that walkways could be accommodated each side of the double track. This would need the intermediate braces to be widened also, as below. Made up of 2 braces (cut an butted together, leaving the position for the steel stiffening strips to be unchanged). Now fitted to the deck, the steel strips threaded and glued up after setting square Also need to work out the cross bracing diagonals as shown in the centre of the photo below. Possibly angle back to back and connected to the lateral cross bracing. Rather slender pieces which would not add a great deal of strength but perhaps needed as a construction aid? I should have had a trip there to get up close during the refurbishment project! Edited April 1, 2022 by zr2498 Photos reloaded 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted February 21, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 21, 2022 (edited) The resin rivets have arrived from Archers. Quite a lengthy process. There are 320 decal rivet strips to apply and I've completed 75% of them. Hopefully this will have been worthwhile as they are quite prominent on the Findhorn diagonal beams. Here are the rivets used. N scale gave the right size and spacing. Fortunately, for the double row of rivets I was able to cut out the two rows in one decal strip. I ended up with a slight variation on the method as shown in the Archer turorial video. Instead of making a cut in the clear film , I found it easier this way: a) cut the decal to the required length b) shift the decal off the backing at one end (light finger touch needed), and hold the exposed backing paper with tweezers c) move the decal from the backing at the other end d) lay the part-removed decal onto the 'wetted' workpiece and hold with a blunt cocktail stick e) slowly pull the backing away with the tweezers Here is the Archer video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aptnvFeEqio With the 'Archer' method, I found that the backing tore easily at the place where the film was cut through. For the small decals with rivets, the clear film is simply slid off the backing with a cocktail stick after placing it on the surface of the model. Needless to say, I hope the painting does not hide the rivets too much. I may well need to highlight them during the weathering. Edited April 1, 2022 by zr2498 Photos reloaded 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted March 2, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 2, 2022 (edited) Time to have a go at the ends of the truss frames as seen on the Findhorn There appears to be beams top and bottom (better seen on the Forth bridge arrangement), and then channel sections back to back. I will be using parts from the CVMW single truss bridge sprues as below 8 of these needed (4 ends top and bottom). The exact width was measured between the plate stringers on the deck assembly; minus the truss frame beam width where they are attached. The above parts are then cut and butted together. Again the sander makes a good job of this To get the accurate width these were sanded and measured with vernier callipers From this point the unwanted material could be removed and the channel section added. As these pieces are cut to a length and angle which was unknown a jig was set up. The temporary white square tube sections are to the height of the end assembly which sits between the end gusset plates Another useful bit of kit (sitting on the shelf ready to use sometime), can be seen. A metal tray with square magnets. No matter how accurately parts are made so far, there needs to be some allowance made for tolerances so the 2 of the channel section joins will be finally made on assembly to the truss frames. The next stage is taking some working out, as most of the painting and weathering of the truss frames needs to be done before assembly. Access would be impossible later. Gluing after painting is an issue, so either masking off or scraping back paint at those positions will be needed. Edited April 1, 2022 by zr2498 Photos reloaded 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted March 2, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 2, 2022 (edited) Painting of the truss frames started. The styrene colour mix of black and white needs to be addressed first Step 1 So a black primer coat was first air brushed over the white diagonals (to provide a key). Only 2 of the 320 decals came off in the wind. Not too bad I guess. Step 2 This was followed by brush painting of the same primer over the white parts including all the white H sections sitting inside the outer beams. This is just the primer and I need to ensure the paint layers are particularly thin over the Archer rivets (OK so far) Next is a primer coat over the black styrene Edited March 31, 2022 by zr2498 Photos reloaded 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted March 7, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 7, 2022 (edited) Painting continued Step 3 Next are two thin air brushed coats of primer over the black styrene. Panzer grey acrylic surface primer used Now I need to replicate as best as possible the steelwork before the Findhorn viaduct was refurbished, but perhaps not particularly neglected. Fortunately I managed to find a couple of pictures of the steelwork before painting Only small areas of rust on ledges, some discolouration and flaking of the paint. The dirty appearance and some green patches can be added during weathering. The colour fading might be done with washes. The initial colour variation and modulation will be done by varying the base colours. Step 4 Initially a light base coat has been air brushed with the following mix: 8 drops thinner : 12 drops battleship grey : 2 1/2 brush loads of flint grey Edited March 31, 2022 by zr2498 Photos reloaded 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted March 9, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 9, 2022 (edited) Next is my first go at colour modulation. This attempts to accentuate shadow and highlights. Step 5 Applied to the underside of the diagonals. A very light air brush of panzer grey (12 drops thinner to 8 drops of paint), and on the top side of the diagonals a lighter shade with just the slightest hint of green from lichen (12 drops thinner + 12 drops battleship grey + 2 brush loads of flint grey + 1 drop of Vallejo grren gry 70.886). This is a thinner mixture as the pressure at the air brush was turned down to allow a close proximity when spraying. Step 6 Weathering. A thin wash of enamel track wash applied to all of the surfaces. This was heavily diluted with white spirit so was more of a 'filter' than a wash. This is the result so far: All four truss frames reached this point. Step 7 To show patches of colour fading emamel neutral wash was was used. Thinned in a pallete and applied with a small brush and blended in with a small flat brush. Step 8 Pigments. Army Green for lichen, Burnt Umber for rust, Urban Industry Dirt for 'Dirt' accumulation. Needless to say the green on diagonals is hardly on the brush and very little when applying the other two. I use the technique taught me by Mick Bonwick. Shake the conatiner, open up and only use the very fine pigment which is attracted to the inside of the lid. That's one of the 4 truss frames painted and weathered as far as possible. Will be finished off after the cross beams are installed. Pleased that the Archer rivet decals are still visible on the diagonals Edited March 31, 2022 by zr2498 Photos reloaded 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted March 20, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 20, 2022 (edited) The 4 truss frames are now weathered with washes, and pigments are completed except for the outside surfaces of the beams. I still need to handle the frames during assembly The end frame assemblies plus lattice cross beams have also been painted and partly weathered The sub-assemblies have been used to connect the two pairs of truss frames as below, and some cross lattice beams also added Superglue was used for this - three different grades (drying times) depending on the joint Note that these are up-side-down and further weathering will be done on the underside and the ends Now that the frames are connected, the required length of the remaining lattice cross diagonals could be measured (= 92mm). This will need 2 lattice sections cutting out of the cross bracing which is included in one of the CVMW single Pratt truss bridge kit sprues (12 of each type needed) Needs to end up as this design So the truss frames are not far away, then back to the deck assembly Edited June 1, 2022 by zr2498 Better photo added. Photos reloaded 2nd time 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted April 1, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 1, 2022 Well, it's taken a few hours to get all of the photos and images reloaded to this thread. Just one missing from LNERGE posted 7th Feb. I hope it has been worthwhile. I did not see any point in adding more on the build progress unless the project from start to current date was fully available. Hope to add more on progress later today. 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted April 1, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 1, 2022 (edited) The cross beams which connect the two truss frame pairs have been cut from a part in the CVMW double track Parker bridge kit. Only 4 of these will be required. These, together with the diagonal lattice cross beams have been primed, base coat painted and a track wash applied. Further weathering will be done after installation to the truss frames Some progress has been made on the deck, however the truss frames and the deck cannot be connected until the maintenance walkways have been fitted into the frames. The plan is to have 2 walkways with a platform connecting the two and a ladder access from the deck which will sit between the two pairs of frames. As this is double track the arrangement will differ from the Findhorn viaduct but the basic design of the walkway will be as close as possible. Here are some pictures of the Findhorn This one shows an extra platform to access the central walkway and a ladder from the outer edge of the deck This one shows the underneath of the walkway I hunted high and low for a suitable RTR walkway, or even something to kit bash, but realised I needed to scratch build this one. The walkway will be visible from above and below where it will be sited on the layout, so there needs to be representation of the wooden decking from both view points Time consuming, but I have opted to use stripwood for the wooden deck. Only 400 pieces! This was sourced from a hobby shop that supplies materials for model boat building. Again the 'chopper' ensures consistent cut lengths I made a mock up of the design to see if it would look OK. Holes will be drilled into the stanchions for 0.5mm brass wire. Materials used I would prefer to paint all of the 'steelwork' before installing the wooden deck as the painting and weathering of the wood will be quite different. So a method was needed to construct the steelwork without the deck in place and all of the parts to be accurate. A pair of jigs were made, to set the distance between the longitudinal angles and to space the distance between the cross angles (underneath the deck). These are the jigs And this is the construction method Still need to work out how to construct the adjoining platform and ladder access Edited December 10, 2022 by zr2498 Materials info added 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted April 2, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 2, 2022 (edited) Diagonal cross bracing installed. Photos show the underside of truss frame assemblies Maintenance walkways started. The steelwork of the decks is complete and one of the four sides with handrails added. There will be gap in one side of each walkway for the connecting platform with ladder access Some work on the deck: A 1mm ABS sheet has been cut to cover the deck. This will represent a plated deck. The longitudinal edges of the deck will have the supports for the lattice handrails and triangular shaped stanchions This photo gives an idea of the prototype There appears to be a flange and a rivetted support beam for the handrail. Edge pieces have been made up which will butt up to the ABS sheet Made from CVMW beam sections Extra styrene added to represent the flange Temporary position as below I have added 30mm extra length to the ABS at each end of the deck. The bridge will be removeable, and I was thinking of using magnets on the underside of the extensions to fix the position. I will need to do some tests to see if the alignment of track will be good enough Edited June 1, 2022 by zr2498 Images reloaded 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted April 2, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 2, 2022 Feenominal! Mike 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted April 5, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 5, 2022 (edited) On 01/04/2022 at 11:43, zr2498 said: Well, it's taken a few hours to get all of the photos and images reloaded to this thread. Just one missing from LNERGE posted 7th Feb. I hope it has been worthwhile. I did not see any point in adding more on the build progress unless the project from start to current date was fully available. Hope to add more on progress later today. Well, just hoping that the images I have reloaded do reappear at some time? Yes all back 🙂 Fortunately this time I copied the pages to a word file Edited April 6, 2022 by zr2498 Thanks Andy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted April 7, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 7, 2022 The two maintenance walkways, and connecting platform are complete (that is the steelwork part ), ready for painting. 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold GWR57xx Posted April 7, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 7, 2022 Wow! My mind is truly boggled! This definitely deserves to be a centrepiece. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted April 8, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 8, 2022 There is P4 track going across this masterpiece, of course? Got to keep up ones standards dontchaknow. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted April 8, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 8, 2022 2 minutes ago, Enterprisingwestern said: There is P4 track going across this masterpiece, of course? Got to keep up ones standards dontchaknow. Mike. Mike I could, but then trains might derail! At least the plan is to use baulk timbers and include guard rails with chairs I purchased quite some time ago from Scalefour Society. The bridge will be at quite an elevated level for the viewer, so perhaps not such a problem. Sorry to let the side down. Seem to be getting near the end point of this bridge construction now, but the design and production of the photetches for the lattice handrails will extend the timescale. Have received the stone work castings from Townstreet which will be used for the bridge abuttments and arches either side. Another fair sized project. Dave 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted April 12, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 12, 2022 Painting started on the walkways Initially, an enamel primer has been brush painted on the brass rails Acrylics will be subsequently air brushed now that the brass has been primed Some progress has also been made on the deck This includes the rail bearers and outer deck plate supports Materials used: The rail bearers can just be seen on the Findhorn viaduct as below The rail bearers were cut to equal length with the 'chopper', notches taken out where it sits under the cross bearer flanges and slots filed out where they slide over the intermediate cross supports The rail bearers are positioned directly under the rails, although there will of course be a section of deck plate and the baulk timbers yet to add. My neighbour very kindly loaned me the heavy glass plate which can be seen in the photo below. This has been used to ensure the deck is flat and the rail bearers were pushed to the glass when attached so that the top surface was flush with the cross bearers The outer deck plate supports have a notch cut out to fit under the rail bearer flanges and spaced as on the Findhorn The deck assembly is now ready for painting. At this stage, access will be easier prior to the deck plate being attached 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted April 13, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 13, 2022 It's now gone beyond praise! Just as a matter of interest, have you kept a log of the number of hours you've spent on this masterpiece? Costed out at a reasonable £20/hr plus (not inconsiderable) materials etc, I'd love to know the cost! Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted April 13, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 13, 2022 1 hour ago, Enterprisingwestern said: It's now gone beyond praise! Just as a matter of interest, have you kept a log of the number of hours you've spent on this masterpiece? Costed out at a reasonable £20/hr plus (not inconsiderable) materials etc, I'd love to know the cost! Mike. Good Morning Mike When I started this project, I had an idea that it would not be easy, and would take quite some time. It has taken considerably longer than the M & GNR bridge I built for Little Bytham (Tony Wright), and that took long enough. That was a brass construction with some photoetch design, so very different. BUT, this one has been as much about learning new skills and knowledge of bridge design as the build itself. I guess if I had known how long it would take, then perhaps I would have looked for an alternative means to a similar end. However no regrets, and seeing the results of the bridge as it nears completion is reward in itself. I have not logged the hours, but I am keeping count of the number of components. 1,848 parts plus 320 decals so far. The cost of materials will not be insignificant, and perhaps one day I will make an estimate. Fortunately I had lots of spare sprues from a kit bash done on the relatively simpler Parker Truss bridge built some years ago. Dave 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold zr2498 Posted April 16, 2022 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 16, 2022 (edited) The remaining deck plate supports have been installed First. the surfaces that would be glued to the deck were masked off Then the white styrene was primed by brush painting with Vallejo black acrylic surface primer to get closer to the black styrene prior to further priming This was followed by air brush priming all of the deck surfaces using Vallejo Panzer grey acrylic primer. The walkways were also primed. Edited April 17, 2022 by zr2498 5 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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