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Micronart's girder bridge
- dominique
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Indeed what amazes me as an european are US style bridges without any handrails (and indeed it's logical as if a 180-ton loco derails a handrail will be of no help to prevent it from falling down.... ).
So both my bridges have received a few modifications, regarding the track that runs on.
First I put my MTL on them but I didn't yet realize that in the prototype ties are to be far closer than on standard track.
So I stuck a few tie parts between each tie in order to have a close tie laying feeling.
I tried to do the same with the second bridge, but unfortunately I obtained a wrong result, with ties stacked on two levels... Very unprototypical.
So I removed the matching track section, took another MTL flextrack set, cut all the tie links and closed ties together. Then I replaced the missing track section with it.
Furthermore on every bridge I glued 2 code 55 rails as guardrails.
Dom
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- dominique
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- Socalz44
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Dom
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On the gaurd rails in the center... If you have problems with the trip pins on the MTL couplers snagging the ends, consider switch out to code 40 rail. It is not quite as tall as code 55, and will give a bit mor clearance.
Tony B..
Wasatch Z ClubB)
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- dominique
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A few remarks:
-First, although I was expressing it differently, on my second bridge I followed the same way: cutting the tie links underneath in order to close the ties together. Actually I should have done it for both bridges prior to laying track but unfortunately I'm not a great planner...
-About guardrails: I must admit I've been very tempted to use code 40 rails, but I don't know if in the prototype guardrails are smaller than matching rails... But it won't be an issue for trip pins as the guardrails I glued on the bridges are the same code / heigth than MTL's rails. So the issue is the same as when a train has to proceed on a turnout. The diverging outer rail is obviously the same heigth than both rails the train is running on.
So if there is an issue, it's due to trip pins that need to be properly set.
Dom
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- David K. Smith
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I must admit I've been very tempted to use code 40 rails, but I don't know if in the prototype guardrails are smaller than matching rails... But it won't be an issue for trip pins as the guardrails I glued on the bridges are the same code / heigth than MTL's rails. So the issue is the same as when a train has to proceed on a turnout. The diverging outer rail is obviously the same heigth than both rails the train is running on.
So if there is an issue, it's due to trip pins that need to be properly set.
Guardrails on real bridges are sometimes a lighter rail, and sometimes the same rail (usually the latter for heavy Class I mainlines).
Here are lighter guardrails:
www.johnweeks.com/bridges/rrpics/carver01.jpg
www.photographyblogger.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/railroad-tracks5.jpg
www.cis.edu.pk/chinioti/Rail-Road-Bridge-In-Side.jpg
www.planetware.com/i/photo/cooperstown-ny154.jpg
rookery2.viary.com/storagev12/757500/757675_b626_625x1000.jpg
And here they are the same weight:
www.whitecountyar.org/JudsoniaRailroadBridge.jpg
www.purswell.com/Rail-Road-Bridge-optz.jpg
www.historicwoolenmills.org/blogimg/002-1260-0010_railroad_brid.jpg
www.lauraleighphoto.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/rr3.jpg
(Note that sometimes rail of the same weight looks lighter next to the running rails, but this is an illusion created by the fact that the guardrails have no tie plates, and so they'll sit lower.)
And some don't have any:
gallery.usgs.gov/images/05_01_2009/kOFr37Uhh0_05_01_2009/medium/RG0027.jpg
www.historicbridges.org/other/imlayrr1/IMG_0225.JPG
cdn.wn.com/o25/ph//2009/02/13/c5d79d018f6b42db51a7400307088cda-grande.jpg
One nice aspect of using lighter guardrails is that you can paint them, and the paint is less likely to be removed when cleaning the running rails.
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- dominique
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Dom
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- David K. Smith
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I was able to reduce waste by using the rails from the piece of flex I stole the extra ties from. I'm not sure there is a "proper" spacing; I suspect it was dictated by railroads on an individual basis, since the spacing varies--check out the prototype images in my prior post.Wonderful pictures David. Can I simple use the rails from another piece of track to make guard rails? I assume I have to bend the ends towards the middle and file the ends on a downward slant. What I don't know is the proper spacing from the existing rails. I assume CA glue would hold them in place. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.
Guardrail end treatment varies as well. Some railroads just angle them in, with the ends nearly touching or, in some cases, bent downward and bolted together. Bigger railroads use a cast iron part that attaches to the guardrail ends and is bolted or spiked to the ties, and forms a rounded V-shape.
CA works OK, but because the ties are engineering plastic (like Delrin), the bond is not rock-solid. So, for best results, the guard rails must be as straight as possible before bonding in place. Apply a thin bead of CA to the bottom of the rail and carefully drop into position. After the CA fully cures, paint the rails and ties; this will also hide any visible excess CA.
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Jim, where does one purchase code 40 rail? I'm new to this stuff and just starting to learn the ins and outs. Your cautions are well noted and will be taken under consideration. Thanks.
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- David K. Smith
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First, you will have to leave the ends open to accomodate the brass uncoupling mechanism on the MTL couplers. I think Marklins will touch also. Second, many steamers will rub on the tops of the guardrails. Not good. If Code 40 rail is used you will not have the above issues. CA glue is what I use. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)
If the Micro-Trains coupler pins touch the guard rails, then they need to be adjusted. If they touch guardrails, then they may also touch parts of turnouts, grade crossings, etc. Spec is, IIRC, .010 above railhead, but that's from memory. Best to check the source.
As for any parts of locomotives touching the guardrails, then that's another matter, but still not the fault of the guardrails. Again, if anything contacts the guardrails, then they'll contact other stuff.
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