ModelRailroading - A Small Bridge

I have one area where I needed to complete a small bridge before continuing

in my track laying. It is a simple bridge and might be a good starter bridge

for those of you who want to make your own bridges.

The surrounding area scenery will be covered in the scenery section I hope to

include sometime later. For now I will concentrate on the bridge itself.

Here is a picture of what I made.

Click on the image for a larger size.

First thing I did was measure the space I needed to fill. I knew from

experience that I put the plaster on thick [about an eighth of an inch] so I

took off a quarter inch [1/8th per side] from the over all length.

Next I cut out the wood to length.

I used balsa wood for the ties and basswood for the support beams. The beams will carry the real weight and so I preferred to use basswood which is stronger then balsa. The ties, for the most part, are decorative and don't really need to carry a load. No On30 engine is heavy enough to crush balsa wood by just sitting on it.

The wood is one scale foot, or 12 inches, in width.

I glued on the two end pieces to the support beams.

This will help stabilize the thing as a unit while I add the other pieces. If your measuring techniques are not great, you can start at one end and work over to the other end. Just try to keep everything lined up and straight as you do this.

Next, I used a piece of wood I knew was 1/16th of an inch thick as a spacer.

Because for this bridge I worked it out that I needed 3 inches between the

ties for spacing.

In order to put in a walkway later, every third tie is made two feet longer

then the others.

The other side however, is kept even and straight.

Next I took a thin piece of basswood and cut it into very thin strips.

Use a new blade if you do this. A dull one can slip and cut you. Also you have more control with a sharp blade. I took my time and this is the result.

You can buy thin wood for this. I cut mine to a scale 1 1/2 inches [1/32 inch] by 4 inches [16/48s or 1/3rd inch] about. I would buy 1/32 by 1/16 inch wood if I went that way.

Next I added the walkway planks.

I used 9 inch wide planks [3/16ths]. I also cut them to length to fit neatly over the long ties. They span three ties fitting from the middle of one support to the middle of the other support.

I glued them not straight on purpose. I wanted them to look almost like an afterthought. Not too professional, but not to sloppy either.

When that dried I added the rest of the basswood support beams.

You will notice I put one beam under each rail [where the rail would be on

the other side]. This is to make it a real supporting structure and not just

cosmetic. Even though they won't be seen, I put them in for stability, not

just for the trains to go over, but also from temperature and humidity

changes. Probably overkill but what the heck. :) It works for me.

The railing supports are cut to length.

The railings themselves would have to be cut to length as I go.

Railing supports are glued into place.

Only a small dab of glue is needed.

The railing is done [except for colouring of course].

I staggered the wooden railing parts to give it a rustic feel.

A test fit before continuing.

Better to cut it now, BEFORE painting, if it needs it.

I gave it a wash of dark [chocolate] brown.

I know it looks black, but it is brown. I used one part paint and five parts water.

Next I made a wash of red paint. One part paint to three parts water.

Then I Painted the walkway and railings red.

Be careful to let it dry between coats, at least a little bit, otherwise you may soak the glue and it can come apart. If that happens don't panic. Just continue painting and later simply reglue the piece back on. That's it. Make sure you put a lot less on to the railings. The walkway part should get much more. It is harder [not impossible though] to distress the railings then the walkway which is why I put less paint on the railings.

Next I used a wire brush and distress it.