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