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Post by princessofthecape on Oct 22, 2013 12:47:36 GMT -8
Hey all, One of the things my new, tiny railroad is going to feature is some kind of movable bridge. I'm not sure if it is actually going to move (everything I've read seems to indicate that a movable model railroad bridge is, generally-speaking, a pointless operational headache with low visual return), but the model itself needs to indicate some kind of mechanical component. Unfortunately, I don't really have a lot of money to blow on this. Having zero experience in steel bridge construction, I was startled by the dearth of molded plastic models out there that fit the bill. I have looked long and hard at the old Tyco Rolling Bridge, and while this would work, I'm not sure I really want to spend $40 - $50 on a low quality, 80s model that is going to have to be heavily altered to meet my visual standards. I was also very impressed by the MRR lift bridge kitibash, but, sadly, I don't have any kits to actually bash. Anyone have any other cheap(ish) bridge suggestions I could focus on? I'm likely not willing to totally freelance something with styrene, as its a material I'm rather unfamiliar with using, and would not even know where to begin. Tyco Rolling Bridge:  Kitibashed Lift Bridge:  |
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Post by shoofly on Oct 22, 2013 12:54:16 GMT -8
Doesn't Walthers make a lift bridge? I can't remember off the top of my head, but I think they do/did.
Chris P.
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Post by princessofthecape on Oct 22, 2013 13:24:34 GMT -8
Doesn't Walthers make a lift bridge? I can't remember off the top of my head, but I think they do/did. Chris P. Yes, but it's a huge two-track monstrosity. Not really suitable for my needs: Sorry I didn't clarify that in the OP: footprint is very important. |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Oct 22, 2013 13:47:22 GMT -8
I'd suck it up and pay the bucks for the Tyco bridge. Except for the operating mechanism, it's pretty much accurate for an itty bitty lift bridge. And it's cute, too. I'd pop for one right now, if I had a place for it.
Ed
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Post by shoofly on Oct 22, 2013 13:48:38 GMT -8
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Post by princessofthecape on Oct 22, 2013 13:53:36 GMT -8
Actually, that was the precisely the prototype I was thinking of, Shoofly. My railroad is set on the old NWP line. Here's a nifty video of it in action: And the perspective almost makes it look like a model! *Edit* That one might not be that hard to replicate: www.shortlinemodelers.com/news-reviews/product-reviews/kits/ho-scale-150-foot-truss-bridge-kit-guesseted-girders I could probably slap a circular base in the middle, put up pilings and a bridge-operator's shack, and it would be good to go. The rolling bridge might be more visually stimulating, though. Hmm.  |
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Post by onequiknova on Oct 22, 2013 14:09:10 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2013 14:22:52 GMT -8
The Walthers Bascule bridge now sells for between $300 to $400 on e-Bay. Supposedly one or more of the molds broke and it will never be produced again, per Walthers. Hence, the lofty price. |
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Post by shoofly on Oct 22, 2013 14:23:23 GMT -8
I certainly think the Central Valley model would offer the best starting point to replicate the Haystack Bridge. Additions/Adjustments would be pretty minor. Like you say, support it in the middle with a round peg and build up the timbers like the pictures. Seems simple. The Central Valley kit has been said a model railroader's "right of passage" in another thread, so this may be the chance to "level up" according to them  LOL |
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Post by catt on Oct 22, 2013 14:24:13 GMT -8
Princess, a lot of the TYCO kits were made by Pola and other European model companys.They are usually nicely detailed and if that kit is NOS (new old stock)it is very likely worth $50.00 though I would definately replace that hand crank with a control house.
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Post by onequiknova on Oct 22, 2013 14:43:14 GMT -8
The Walthers Bascule bridge now sells for between $300 to $400 on e-Bay. Supposedly one or more of the molds broke and it will never be produced again, per Walthers. Hence, the lofty price. Well that's unfortunate. It is a good looking bridge. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2013 15:16:11 GMT -8
The Walthers Bascule bridge now sells for between $300 to $400 on e-Bay. Supposedly one or more of the molds broke and it will never be produced again, per Walthers. Hence, the lofty price. Well that's unfortunate. It is a good looking bridge. Good news the Walthers Bascule is now selling for only $150 to $250. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2013 15:18:19 GMT -8
The Tyco kit is now or was a Pola kit. It has also been sold by AHM.
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Post by catt on Oct 22, 2013 17:47:46 GMT -8
I could not remember if it was Pola or Helgen,but now that you've mentioned it I should have remembered because some of the lits had TYCO molded on the inside and some had Pola.I knew it wasn't Helgen because there aren't enough pieces for one of their kits.
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Post by princessofthecape on Oct 23, 2013 4:17:17 GMT -8
I wound up finding an AHM version of the kit on the 'Bay for $55, no S&H. Best I can tell, it's nicer than the Tyco one, and appears to have decking and under-deck details that the Tyco version (at least from the photo) lacks. That was a bit pricy for me, but I went ahead and swept it up. It may not be a prototypical bridge for the Southern Pacific, but I really like the lines. I may just attempt to build it operational, or at least operation-capable. Not certain I'll drop any more dough on the motor. That seems a bit much.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Oct 23, 2013 8:16:34 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2013 8:51:05 GMT -8
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Post by shoofly on Oct 23, 2013 11:34:59 GMT -8
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Post by upcsx on Oct 23, 2013 15:46:53 GMT -8
Go to Google maps at Myrtle beach SC and look for the RR crossing a Draw Bridge over the Inter Coastal Waterway.
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Post by princessofthecape on Oct 23, 2013 15:51:38 GMT -8
Wow! Hah! I'd quite randomly chosen a location less than 5 miles from that bridge! How weird/neat is that? I wish I possessed that kind of luck on stuff that actually mattered. Maybe I should go buy a lotto ticket.
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Post by bnsf971 on Oct 24, 2013 3:00:10 GMT -8
Wow! Hah! I'd quite randomly chosen a location less than 5 miles from that bridge! How weird/neat is that? I wish I possessed that kind of luck on stuff that actually mattered. Maybe I should go buy a lotto ticket. Murphy's law never works in reverse. You can't wash your car to make it rain. |
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Post by shoofly on Oct 25, 2013 21:36:12 GMT -8
You wanna bet?! Then how come it rains EVERY TIME I wash dusty?
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Post by thebessemerkid on Oct 26, 2013 5:25:00 GMT -8
Do a search on "scherzer rolling lift bridge" and you will find pix & drawings of the AHM/Pola/Tyco prototype.
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Post by navarch1 on Oct 27, 2013 7:27:47 GMT -8
Well that's unfortunate. It is a good looking bridge. Good news the Walthers Bascule is now selling for only $150 to $250. There is yet another rumor being passed around that Walthers is indeed going to re-release the bascule bridge soon. When you think about it, what can happen to a mold for a multi-part bridge model that cannot either be repaired or a new mold cut? We hear d the same "the mold is broken and we are not making them any more" story about the plastic pellet silos when they were going for well over $150.oo on ebay for a while - then recently they are making them again. I have four of the Walthers bascules, accumulated over time and at least two will be used on the new layout. I made a triple-tracked kitbashed version for the old club layout when they first came out. (See below) So I'll "bank" the other two in the event they are ever needed. I also have two of the POLA small bascules that will be used on the new layout as well. They will get some extra detailing but those seem like the perfect bridge for your purposes. Bob  |
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Post by princessofthecape on Oct 27, 2013 8:06:47 GMT -8
Good news the Walthers Bascule is now selling for only $150 to $250. There is yet another rumor being passed around that Walthers is indeed going to re-release the bascule bridge soon. When you think about it, what can happen to a mold for a multi-part bridge model that cannot either be repaired or a new mold cut? We hear d the same "the mold is broken and we are not making them any more" story about the plastic pellet silos when they were going for well over $150.oo on ebay for a while - then recently they are making them again. I have four of the Walthers bascules, accumulated over time and at least two will be used on the new layout. I made a triple-tracked kitbashed version for the old club layout when they first came out. (See below) So I'll "bank" the other two in the event they are ever needed. I also have two of the POLA small bascules that will be used on the new layout as well. They will get some extra detailing but those seem like the perfect bridge for your purposes. Bob Wow! That thing is a MONSTER! Nice work, though! |
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LOL
