Weekend Update 5/8/11

[wm3798]

After Dave left, I pulled the box of stuff out of the trunk that Bob gave me on Saturday.  In it was a partially completed rolling lift bridge kit, the old Model Power jobby.

So I spent a happy afternoon on the screen porch putting it together, and here's the results so far.

It's pretty cool, but I really don't have a use for it.  The only place on the layout it would even fit would be in front of the window on the low line, with the justification that it was built to cross the C&O canal...


But I model 1970 ish, and the canal closed in 1924, so there wouldn't be a real reason to operate the lift.

I'm going to tinker around with it some more, but if someone has a need for a lift bridge, just let me know and we can work something out.

Lee

[Catt]

Lee, I also have one of those old kits still in the box.I don't know if I ever will use it but your little video has me concidering it. ;D

Any thoughts on how to quiet it down some?

[wm3798]

I'm going to try putting some open cell foam around the gear box, and maybe a dab of grease on the gears.  It's really not much worse than a Tortoise at full throttle.  It just lasts a little longer.  I'm sure once the base is socked in with sculptamold it will be somewhat mitigated.

I had to do a little fine tuning to get it to land just so.  The bridge itself is warped a tiny bit, but I just jacked up the fixed part to meet it.  I also added lead weights at the very end of the bridge, and a little bit less in the counterweight.  Without it, the lowering was a lot jerkier.

Lee

[DKS]

I always loved that silly old kit. Always wanted to find a way to work it into a layout.

First, I need a layout...

[Chris333]

I like how Earl Smallshaw did it:
http://home.comcast.net/~e191s/2-4-4-2_aerial_view.jpg

[DKS]

I like how Earl Smallshaw did it:
http://home.comcast.net/~e191s/2-4-4-2_aerial_view.jpg

Oh, yeah. I love Earl Smallshaw's modeling.

[Chris333]

OK I'm smitten, where can I get that lift bridge kit?

[wm3798]

It's a Model Power kit, but it's been around forever.  I'd start by looking in the discount bin at your local, or look up "lift bridge" under N scale on Fleabay.

Lee

[Chris333]

Saw 2 old auctions for it. One for $18 and one for $89  :

None currently listed.

[wm3798]

You can have mine for $86.99.   ;D

The trick will probably be finding the motorizing kit, but for you Chris, I don't imagine that will be a big challenge.

Lee

[DKS]

The trick will probably be finding the motorizing kit, but for you Chris, I don't imagine that will be a big challenge.

Indeed, Just keep doing those eBay searches, and one will show up. You don't need the motorizer. I've got one of the kits, but it's in many pieces, not sure if they're all there (kind of like me).

[Denver Road Doug]

Wow, that lift bridge is pretty cool!   Thanks for sharing, Lee.

Although I must admit that your Rapido-equipped bridge pier made me throw up in my mouth a little.   

[Iain]

Hmm, that may give me an excuse to buy some more of Randy's Whitcomb kits.  That bridge reminds me of the Beaufort and Morehead bridge over the Newport River.  In fact, to me, it screems childhood memories.