Getting track in place on the concrete bridge including ballast.
Concrete bridge with track
Still need to weather the track and the bridge.
Another view of the area from under the bridge.
Low angle looking up at some of the trestle bases
Walnut Lane bridge over the Wissahickon creek
The Walnut lane bridge was certainly most of my wanting to reproduce something similar in HO scale. Although the Walnut lane bridge is a roadway bridge with cantilevered sidewalks, the main structural elements for a railroad bridge would be similar, and I did not try to reproduce an exact copy this bridge, which is right in my neighborhood.
Walnut Lane bridge from creek walking path
The bridge was built in 1908 and at that time was the longest masonry arch span in the world, just now finishing a restoration.
Here my neighbors grandson intently at the controls.
Very seriously at the controls.
Back, finally, to casting the second side of my arch bridge, so to bring things up to date, here are a few shots of the mold and initial pour.
Wood & Sintra mold with steel wire re-enforcing rods
Starting pour
Pouring Hydrocal in a hurry – sets quick
and leveling off
Leveling Hydrocal
Then back to the present starting the second pour
original cast and second pour
Both casts with spacer cut from 3/4 inch Sintra (expanded closed cell PVC sheet)
I’ll continue detailing and assembly in the next post
Some Photos showing progress, and also trying arrangements of structures for the engine servicing facility, and how these would photograph in different light (time of day-or weather)
Working with laying track and stone wall at one yard lead
Track down and stone wall further along with concrete cap.
Trying position of servicing structures
Working it out.
Trying angles
Camera and lighting set up after placing structures and ballast, greenery etc.
Final early morning light Photo.
Early morning happening-Click to enlarge
Back from Timonium GSMTS and ready to test and figure out my control panel for the yard
8 Unit pack of touch toggles with its control base and power supply
Excited to see what I can do with the Berrett Hill Touch Toggles. Will need another 8 pack to complete the whole panel, maybe even an 8 and a 4 pack
About to attend the GSMTS at the MD state fairgrounds this weekend. Always a good show, especially in October and February. Especially looking at Touch toggles for switch machines.
The Extreme Model Railroad and Contemporary Architecture museum in North Adams Mass. 83,000 square feet with 40 foot ceilings to accommodate 35 foot tall Empire State Building.
The article can be accessed here Extreme Model Railroad and Architecture Museum
COOL
Tracks and switches going down with Dynaflex 230
Yard partially glued down
All the switches are either Micro Engineering (and Dcc ready) or Shinohara altered to be DCC friendly. Also wires soldered to frogs and fished down through holes to connect to tortoise contacts below the layout
Decided to add wood planking to a New Jersey International signal bridge. Thought it would add a bit of color and some signal bridges did include that feature.
Signal bridge with planking