Talking T Gauge

trainspotter-usa · Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 315 Location: Minnesota

Once I get on a roll there is no stopping me. With the wife out for the day I started work on the bridge. This is the one that provided the spark of inspiration http://aomori.photo-web.cc/gonou2/25.html It won't be an exact replica I'm just using the pictures to get a feel for what a properly engineered bridge should look like
The bridge deck was easy. A slice of 1mm styrene sheet cut to size. With some 3.5mm girder underneath.
It was the pillars that caused me grief. I searched all though my bits box and all over the house to try to find something that I could use as a basis for the pillars. But had no luck. So I had to laminate strips of styrene together to achieve the desired effect. Its based around 4.8mm strip of varying thicknesses. I opted for 4.8mm because that's the size of tube I had to form the rounded ends of the pillars

I think it looks like a believable bridge already and once I get the handrails on. It will almost be done. I will need to add some structure for it on the river bank but other than that there's not much to a bridge. After all the effort that I put into the lighthouse. Its almost a let down. I could add those vertical struts on the girders underneath but I worked it out I'd need 88 (44 each side) 2.5mm long and .5mm square spaced 4mm apart. I don't know if I want to do that yet...

Ian
_________________
I CAN see how cool this stuff is!!!
http://more-t-please.blogspot.com/

David K Smith · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:22 pm Post subject:

Nice!
_________________
—David

http://www.t-gauge.net/
http://1-450.blogspot.com/

zomer · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:05 am Post subject:

Very nice!! I love it!! Not over the top at all. Please keep us updated with any further additions!!
_________________
Victorian T Gauge Blog
http://www.victorian-tgauge.blogspot.com/

B 67 · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:10 am Post subject:

Looks very believable. Will have to try something similar - on the next layout or T-Trak module. Smile

_________________
Darren,
Stratford,
Australia.

victorian t gauge · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:59 am Post subject:

just got back in, from a sunny day out on my rail trolley on a old forest line, due to be torn up in a few weeks Crying or Very sad

the bridge progress looks great, i also like the way it matches the land scape, doesnt look "just put there" keen to see updates! Smile

trainspotter-usa · Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 315 Location: Minnesota

Look carefully. At first glance you may not see all that much of a difference. But I have spent this week adding the supporting block on the river banks (I'm sure there's a technical term but I'm a graphic designer not a structural engineer )

Ian
_________________
I CAN see how cool this stuff is!!!
http://more-t-please.blogspot.com/

David K Smith · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:46 pm Post subject: Re: Update

trainspotter-usa · Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 315 Location: Minnesota

Thank you David:
Incidentally. You can read about all the fun and games I had on such a simple task on my latest blog report...
http://more-t-please.blogspot.com/2009/01/troubled-bridge-part-2.html

Ian
_________________
I CAN see how cool this stuff is!!!
http://more-t-please.blogspot.com/

zomer · Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:41 am Post subject:

Oh you "Measure twice, cut once"!!! That might be why I bugger up all the time!! I measure once and cut twice!!! Wink

Its looking great!! What are you going to use for the water?
_________________
Victorian T Gauge Blog
http://www.victorian-tgauge.blogspot.com/

trainspotter-usa · Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 315 Location: Minnesota

Water?
The plan is this. I'll put down a layer of lightweight spackle and paint it some sort of greeny-grey colour and then put down several layers of PVA glue like Cris Nevard does on his layouts as seen here http://www.nevardmedia5.fotopic.net/p35173854.html
It seems to work well enough for his layouts

Ian
_________________
I CAN see how cool this stuff is!!!
http://more-t-please.blogspot.com/

zomer · Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:07 am Post subject:

What a clever idea. I must give this a go!!! Im planning a trestle bridge diarama so this might be the best place to test it.

Great work Ian
_________________
Victorian T Gauge Blog
http://www.victorian-tgauge.blogspot.com/

B 67 · Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

TBA · Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 120 Location: Massachusetts

Artists' acrylic gloss medium could be used as well.
_________________
Brian Austin

victorian t gauge · Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject:

excellent work, im also doing a bridge, pva didnt even cross my mind!, i might try it. this will not only be my first t gauge layout, but my first layout ever!!!, already im seeing how progress flys at very start, then hits the brakes at super detailing, like my n scale loco kits. your bridge is looking great, the teadious work pays off for, years after completeion.

Paulse · Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 2

Something I discovered by accident when using two-part urethane casting compound for an entirely different sort of project:

If you mix the urethane and then pour it onto a sheet of something like PVC or styrene, the urethane will not stick to the surface--the plastic sheet is too smooth. The urethane will flow out like water and take longer to harden because it is so thin. Blowing a stream of air onto the urethane causes it to develop natural-looking ripples which will become permanent as the compound hardens. It takes a little trial-and-error to get just the ripple effect you want. Once the urethane has hardened enough, it can be peeled off of the substrate and cut with scissors or an Xacto-type knife very easily, and can be softened for shaping with hot water. It may sound a bit pricier but the sections are very thin--a little urethane goes a long, long way. The surface of the plastic is glossy--tinting the urethane works very well. This works with either opaque or transparent/translucent urethane, too.