Wanted! Ideas for bridge span,

The layout is gathering momentum and now I've added the supports for the roadbed I need to think about a span for the highest point of the track. The twin tracks will span a gorge or canyon about 300 mm or 12" across. I think a wooden trestle wouldn't look right because of the gap needed to allow the lower run of track to pass under and the timeframe quite modern. I'm thinking steel deck girder, steel through girder or steel through truss.
Anyone have any good ideas about great looking bridges?

Check out this web site and the article on bridge basics. This should give you some insight. Good luck.

pghbridges.com/basics.htm

search this place:
lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/collections/habs_haer/
plenty of inspiration and excellent source of documentation (including some interesting bridges)

Chris, thanks for the link, it will be most helpful.

I have two Pratt Through Truss bridges post above in the photo section. They are available from MircroArts. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

Plenty to think about on those websites. thanks guys. I did consider the Micron Art ones but I needed a double track and the cost is a little high. I could buy a lot of rolling stock for the same cost, but they are beautiful. Thanks again.

Micronart's stuff is maybe a little bit expensive, but in my opinion nothing else in Z reaches its accuracy and perfect looking... For double track a truss bridge is indeed what I feel best.

Dom

dominique wrote:

Micronart's stuff is maybe a little bit expensive, but in my opinion nothing else in Z reaches its accuracy and perfect looking... For double track a truss bridge is indeed what I feel best.

Well, forgive me, but I beg to differ with this statement. For accuracy and breathtaking appearance in Z scale bridges, the prize goes to TrainCat:





www.zscalemonster.com/traincat/

With all due respect to Reynard (and without meaning to disparage in any way), he took a great many liberties with his Micron Art bridge designs in order to make them easier to assemble. They also represent relatively lightweight bridges that would not be used on a heavy mainline. The TrainCat bridges are craftsman-level in complexity to build, and carry a price tag to match, but they are absolutely faithful to the prototype.

John, Also, I believe TrainCat makes the only double track Pratt Thru Truss as well. So if you can a afford the TrainCat it will do very nicely. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

That has to be some of the nicest brass etch I've ever seen! Perhaps a little grand for my megre layout but certainly a pleasure to look at.
The biggest problem I have is when ordering from the states is with the footpads and road agents in the UK government who believe that we should have to pay them to spend money overseas. The cost of the truss come to about 175 GBP at the moment plus shipping, which I think is pretty reasonable for the quality of the kit, but to that I'd have to add Import duty and a handling surcharge. The could be as much as 30-40 GBP (50-65 USD) It's iniquitous, IMHO.