Built this viaduct, although I have no where to put it on the layout, but its been a good practice as I think I could use a curved one on the layout.
That looks good The thought of building a curved one scares me though But I might Try one one day as I could fit one in , (totally Wrong for where i could put it but it would look good ) Cheers Matt
I think the trick with a curved one will be to build it in situ, so that you can adjust each section to suit as you build it on the curve. That's my plan anyway.
There is something special about a bridge/viaduct or any road or river crossing that gives a feeling of depth to a layout and gives a focal point, watching a train crossing especially if you can get a view point at eye level is great, I particularly like freight trains with back lighting so you get the twinkling of spoked wheels as they turn . Cheers, Pete.
Andy I'll watch you build your first so I can watch how to I'm way off that yet Pete That sounds the business. I've got a thought in my head for a variation on the Viaduct but I'm afeared to even think about it just yet. Need to actually finish getting some track down and loco's running first, then probably work at the back where it wont show as I build my skills up, that's after the other Gazillion jobs on the list get done first ( xmas and visitors coming to stay seams to drive the other Halves doolally Cheers Matt
I suppose the way to cheat, is to increase the buttress width on the outer side of the curve and reduce it on the inside of the curve. That viaduct deserves a layout tho.... looks great. Paul
That's exactly what I intend on doing. I may be able to fit in a lower level loop that could use the viaduct as I originally intended, as a removable section for the shed door. I decided it was too much hassle if I needed to get out of the shed quickly if the dogs (or swmbo) was doing something they shouldn't, but if I can just step over it then that would be easier.
Five or so years ago I built a curved viaduct from a Wills kit. I split each buttress down the back and then put a card spacer in the gap to keep it apart. Intention being to fill the gap with embossed stone but, because it was on the outside of the curve and unviewable and because I moved onto building another layout, never did. Couple of shots during assembly, and I've got some somewhere of it actually in action but can't lay my finger on them at present - I've had two computer moves since these were taken so they may have been binned... The spacers left a gap of about 1/2" and the support buttresses were plyable enough to take the strain... the road bed (3mm ply) also helped keep the gap open at the top end - NB I assembled the buttresses and made sure they were solid structures before attempting to cut the backs with a small saw... all worked out pretty well. I'll see if I can lay my hands on the 'in situ' photos.....
Hi, Just as a heads up, there is a great article in this months model rail on bridges for anyone that's interested. I haven't read it through myself yet but looks like quite a big splash. Apologies for raiding your post. Toto
As promised one image from my photo bucket archive;- This is how it looked but didn't progress much further as I changed the layout completely...
The viaduct looks very impressive. Perhaps you have the makings of a sizeable diorama, there, if you can't use it on your layout. http://www.click
