I some questions related to a largish deck bridge I'm building for my Santa
Fe prototype layout. This will be in HO and include three towers with 30'
tower spans, two 50' intermediate span and a 90' deck truss span. I'm using
a combination of Micro Engineering and Atlas components. Bridge will be
open construction, not ballasted deck
In looking at photos of ATSF bridges it seems like most of the larger
bridges had walkways on both sides. However, the pictures I have show
mostly ballasted deck bridges. So my questions:
· In the 1940's-50's would an open deck girder bridge have had
walkways, or only safety platforms? (I consider this bridge to be on a
"secondary main line").
· If adding walkways, how are they attached to the bridge. I am
considering just extending some of the ties to the width of the track plus
walkway, then laying boards over the top and adding railings (Central
Valley). Would this approach be prototypical, or would triangular supports
bolted to the side of the girders (or truss uprights for the truss span) be
better (much more labor intensive!)?
· What color would be most appropriate? I have a picture of the
Arroyo Seco bridge from about 1950 in silver or aluminum paint, but I recall
from my youth in the 1950's a long deck bridge in Santa Ana canyon that was
black and had a Santa Fe slogan on it (logos plus "Santa Fe, all the way", I
think it was). What was ATSF practice.
· Any suggestions on a source of decals for the logo and slogan
painted on such bridges - I am thinking about O scale box car decals.
· Any other suggestions on such a bridge project you may feel
appropriate would be appreciated.
Thanks
Rick Stern
- posted
18 years ago