The slow build of the un-named railroad

[Pom in Oz]

Originally Posted by Jim 68cuda

Looks great. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures when the scenery starts taking shape. Its nice that you can use the garage for the layout and still have room to park the car in there.

Cheers Jim, it helps having a very small car, the falcon has to live outside much to my girlfriends distaste (Her falcon, the little ones my work hack)

Thanks for the comments guys, done some other bits and pieces i'll take some photos tonight and stick them on.

[Pom in Oz]

Done a little bit more on the railroad but unsure about this bridge, would a swing bridge be this high from water level?? When the scenery is on the water level will be approx 1/2 inch from the base where the sharpie is.

This is around 21 metres from sea level to the bottom of the bridge when scaled up.

Looking at the photo i think its too high but would like a second opinion before i start building a new bridge.

Cheers

Darren

[Mike_R]

As I'm sure you are aware, swing bridges are typically used over narrow waterways like rivers where a fixed bridge would be too low to allow marine traffic to pass underneath. Realistically, not many vessels travelling up a narrow waterway would require over 21 meters clearance. But who says it needs to be realistic? If you're happy with it, then that's all that matters.

[Pom in Oz]

Cheers Mike, Its at the entrance to a small container/cargo port with a fixed bridge either side but i'm undecided if its too high. I could redo the bench work and bring the rails lower but means a lot more work.

Darren

[Burlington Bob]

If you are concerned about whether a swing bridge that high would be needed, just refer to the ships that would use it. Would the bridge need to be swung open to allow ships to pass? If not, then it would probably be unneeded as is. But, as is always said, it's your railroad and if you like it, then that is all that matters! I know that statement is going to hold true for me!

[Rico]

If you add another bridge on one side it will make a wider river and look right at home.
It will also place the ships more to the middle of the channel which was usually the case.

[Pom in Oz]

Thanks for the input guys, Rico, sorry i should have stated the water will be as wide as the lower section of benchwork, the two pieces of plywood either side of the swing bridge are to make sure i get it at the right height. but i think i will still lower it a couple of inches and see what it looks like then.

Cheers Darren

[Jim 68cuda]

I hate to say it, but regardless of the height of the bridge, the width of the opening, when it swings open, appears to be too narrow for anything larger than a sailboat or small fishing boat to safely negotiate. The higher the bridge, the narrower the opening appears to be visually.
If it were a marina with tall sailboats, or a fleet of small fishing boats with tall rigging harbored on the other side of the bridge, then the bridge would look right to me.

[tootnkumin]

Hi there Darren, hadn't spotted this thread before, so I'll come over here now and give "the Pom" heaps.

For the bridge, as has been pointed out, the main channel will be in the centre and unfortunately, right where the pivot foundation is.

How about building it (you can still use the same bridge) London Bridge style (not sure if you're familiar with that one though). If not I'll get my son to to send some pics, he works nearby.

[Pom in Oz]

Hello toot, thanks for your input, i think that has made my mind up on the swing bridge, gutted to lose it as i was looking forward to having it on the layout. I think i'll finish building it and stick it up for sale and use the money to buy a couple standard truss bridges.

I've been over London bridge a few times having worked as a sparky all over that area, i don't think my scratch building skills are up to the challenge just yet.

Cheers
Darren