The model

My model of the bridge over the Oakland Branch and Hwy. 59 tries to compensate for being too short by also being too wide.   It'll be supported by only three piers vs. four on the prototype.  However, the prototype bridge is single track, while my model will support Hillis siding in addition to the main.  Hillis is actually about three miles east of Hancock, but in order to preserve what little open country single-track mainline running I had between Hancock and Atlantic, I chose to push Hillis west a bit closer to Hancock, and thus onto this bridge.

Here's a shot from just after construction began, with the screws removed from the Homasote splines.

 Splines removed, but my plan to preserve the ME flex track that'd been attached to them isn't working out as I'd hoped.  I ended up just buying a couple new sections instead.

And here's the basic structure in place during a test fit this morning, before the height adjustments have begun.  It's scratchbuilt from a number of Evergreen I-beam components sandwiched between 0.040" styrene for strength and stability.  The top styrene sheet will be hidden by bridge ties, track, and ballast, while the bottom one is hidden from view under the I-beams.  Hopefully the double- vs single-track construction won't jump out at visitors.

 I have this week off from work, so I'm hoping to finish at least the bridge itself, if not the corresponding backdrop photos.  Watch this space for updates.  Next up, adding bridge ties and cork.

Sounds (disturbingly) familiar...

Dear Joe,

Sounds awfully familiar, I better get after my NY Resolution to get on a diet...
(Sorry, exiting stage left as we speak...)

EDIT : a bit late for your mission now, but I've successfully "transplanted" already-laid track
(inc curved and grades)
from "solid roadbed" to "scale bridge deck" by soldering scrap pieces of rail accross the rails every 6 - 8".
This holds the shape and position of the rails, and allows them to be "lifted and relaid" quite easily.

Admitedly I've done this with handlaid track, so the state of the plastic ties was not critical.
If the rails hold gauge and shape, then slipping replacement tie strips on the lifted-rails should be do-able...

Alternatively, if you've got complete spare flextrack lengths and want to maintain the existing geometry,
a "rubbing" of the original track
(paper laid over the rails, graphite rubbed on the paper to show the rail positions),
would give a surprisingly-accurate template against which to pre-curve the replacement flextrack lengths.

Can't wait to see how this scene comes together...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

PS if you hadn't told anyone that the prototype was only single-track,
no-one would know that dbl-track is "stretching the truth"...

Template

Ha! 

Thank you!  That's what another friend recommended as well (note the template in the first model photo above), and I can confirm that it worked great.

Captures the look

Joe, it might be compression but it still captures the look of the prototype.

Brian

Model Railroading is compression

Joe,

looks like a very good compromise for the space you have. 

I look forward to the project being done at the end of the week. 

Model Railroading is compression

Joe,

looks like a very good compromise for the space you have. 

I look forward to the project being done at the end of the week. 

Compression

Thank you gentlemen. I neglected to mention that the third pier, seen to the left in that third model photo above, will be located to the right of the Oakland branch, between the track and the righthand abutment.  I just need to extend the plywood base before I can place it.

Still not done...but progress is being made

Some family issues kept me from getting as much time in on this project over vacation as I planned, and I'm still not done.  However, the structure itself is now in place, and I'm hoping to wrap up the bridge shoes, track, and ballast yet this weekend, with scenery to follow.

Like many of the overpasses along the West End, this one still has Rock Island heralds above the highway on both sides.  

I was too lazy to cut and glue several hundred tie ends to represent the bridge ties that run perpendicular to the track (a poor man's ballast deck that RI seemed to prefer to concrete), so I just installed two layers of standard ties parallel to the track and then painted the "ends" on the lower layer to hopefully give the appearance that they're actually turned 90°.

It might have been easier to do scenery first before bridge install, but I prefer doing the bridge first for some reason.

Sunday update

Laid track across the bridge this morning.  I normally hand-lay, but used Micro-Engineering code 83 flex track on the main and siding at Hillis because the track was so deep in the scene that I couldn't eyeball it for hand-laying.

I hope to start on backdrop photos later today, followed by scenery and ballast.

Rules ?

Joe - the scene (as always) is looking great and developing well. The concrete effect on the supports is particularly realistic.

What also caught my eye, was the steel rule lying on the bench work.

Looks very like mine:

 

I got this about 38 years ago when as a COBOL analyst/programmer, I used to design multi-part forms for line printers. This means you are an old computer guy like me, or you 'procured' it from someone who was......

Rare beasts these forms design rulers and absolutely great for model railroad projects

Rob Clark
Cornhill & Atherton RR

Looks Good Joe

Joe - How did you make the piers?  I have been pondering how to make some for my bridge?

Rob - I have the same rule as yours at work (inherited it 20 years ago) 

Andrew

Rule and piers

Thank you Rob and Andrew for the kind words.

Rob, you're absolutely right about that rule.  I had forgotten where that came from, but your post reminded me that, like you, it was from back in my old days of programming COBOL - a relic from college, in fact.  I've been with the same company now for 27 years, moving from COBOL/SCOBOL and BAL to TAL, C++, and now the mysterious language of management.  You're right about those rules being excellent for model railroading.  I especially like mine for hand-laying ties.

Andrew, those piers were custom made by Scale Segmental Bridge Co. before he went on hiatus.

"these forms design rulers

Does that have a 1/10 inch scale on it? Could be handy for TT scale if so. ....DaveB 

Ruler divisions

Yes Dave - 1/10, 1/12, 1/8, mm and virtually every subdivision you could think of.

18 inches long as well....

The tool of kings ​

Rob Clark

Looks very good, Joe. There's

Looks very good, Joe. There's nothing like the prototype to show us how it's done.

Barry

Removing spline segments

Joe,

What did you do to fix the spline in place before cutting it?

Splines

Matt, I added risers as close as possible to both spline ends - about 5" from the left end and 1-4" (angled) on the right.  I didn't make any cuts until "Mr. Homasote Spline", Jeff Otto, gave me the thumbs up on my design. 

Another good job Joe,

The scene is shaping up nicely.    IIRC, you have relatively high benchwork, so my guess is the second track will not standout very much compared to a down on view.

Layout height

Thanks Loren.  This view was taken from just below my vantage point:

 

So while it's clear to visitors that the siding is there on the layout, the prototype is up on a fill through this area, so if I hadn't outed myself about moving the siding, I get the impression that most people wouldn't have known.

And then came ballast

So far this week I've been able to wire, test, and ballast the new track, so things are starting to come together a bit.  Here are a few pics of things as they stand tonight.

Say hello to Joe's thumb!   

Before I tried it, I never thought I'd look forward to scenery, but it's become one of my favorite parts of the hobby now, and I'm really enjoying the thought of moving on to that phase here at Hancock Jct. soon.  First, though, I have to correct a little dip in the Oakland Branch trackage that's causing coupler separation on those long pig flats.  If I push hard, I may be able to complete backdrop photos and scenery here this weekend.

Hello Joe's thumb

wasn't that what I was supposed to say???

Present vs. Past...

Looks very nice, Joe... as much as I enjoy researching an older prototype to recreate, I must admit that I do get envious at times of those who can visit, photograph, document and then build with far less 'unknowns' ... always enjoy your stuff!

Jim

Thank you very much Jim!  That's one of my favorite parts about modeling a prototype so close to home.  It's always a blast watching a familiar scene come to life.

Coming along very nicely. the

Coming along very nicely. the overall shot of it looks very good blends in well.

Phil