Walthers a Good Starting Point

A quick search of Walthers using search term *bridge*

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?quick=bridge&start=0

Bridge to nowhere

John,

If I can make a suggestion; that is, look at pictures of bridges (above normal ground level) ending at the layout edge and determine if you like the look.  A bridge ending at the layout edge looks completely different than a ground level street/ road, or water feature such as a river or stream.  For some a bridge ending at the layout edge looks like a something under construction - more so than something on ground level. 

It's a matter of personal choice, but I know of railroaders that have installed such a bridge and ended up removing it because they didn't like the way it looked.

Rick

Footnote:  All you modelers with layout ending bridges, please don't be mad at me!  I'm just saying it's a matter of personal taste and to try the look out before doing the work.

Rix Bridges

Rix makes a set of three highway overpass/bridges that might fit your needs - they're also expandable if needed:

Wrought iron - I saw these through the 70s or later:

http://www.rixproducts.com/Wrought_iron_highway_overpass.htm

Early concrete:

http://www.rixproducts.com/6280103.htm

Modern:

http://www.rixproducts.com/6280113.htm

Yes the Rix bridges are nice.

Yes the Rix bridges are nice. I built mine out of 3 sets. My photo backdrop, you can see it lines up with the overpass.

Thanks!

Alan thanks for the search information.  Rick, see the attached picture. The ruler represents where the vehicle bridge would eventually go.  A street will be on the single green blocks taking a right turn from the end of the ruler. I need somewhere for that street to go that makes sense.

Jeff, RIX is exactly who I was looking for and could not remember their name.  Motley, great pictures and appreciate your sharing.

P.S. Does my tag line show up on my posts?

Thanks, John

Tag line

If:

John
Pueblo, Colorado City & La Veta Railroad
4X6 HO Standard Gauge Railroad Empire

is your tag line, then yes, it is showing up.

I Agree

I agree completely Rick. I keep seeing pictures of bridges that cross the layout and end at the front edge, and I keep thinking they are bridges to nowhere. The same for streets. Not very prototypical. I always thought that when I build my layout, I want the streets to go places, not just be a scenic element.

Just like model railroad tracks now tend to go between places instead of just being simple loops, I think streets should do the same. I know that out here in Colorado, there are many places where roads follow the tracks, crossing them every now and then.

With a little planning, you might have a road, bridge or viaduct follow along the front edge of the layout so that it looks more realistic.

Just my $0.02

I would suggest...

... when having a bridge that is heading towards the layout edge, to have the bridge "anchored" by a land form, and have the fascia come up to the bridge, this way it avoids the "under construction" or "bridge to nowhere" look.  Not always possible to do, but that is one of my scenic "druthers", that if i can avoid the bridge to nowhere look, to do so.  FWIW

Ken L