Z Scale Howe Truss?

[sirenwerks]

This may be a subject for the Z scale forum, but I actually want it for N scale purposes so... Does anyone make a Z scale Howe or other open truss bridge I can use to make a steel auto road bridge with in N?

[Catt]

Would this work ? http://www.shapeways.com/model/206764/bridge-100-foot-zscale.html

[DKS]

The Atlas Foobie truss bridge makes a pretty decent pony truss road bridge.

[sirenwerks]

The Atlas bridge is what I want a Z scale version of.  But it's too big, IMO, to make a realistic road bridge like I want; the bridge sides dwarf the vehicles too much.

[DKS]

I don't know of anything in Z scale close to what you're looking for, aside from Stony Smith's RP bridge. The only other thing I could recommend is Peco truss girder bridge sides, #NB-38. These are just a bit smaller than the Atlas truss; I used them to make this road bridge in Z scale:



Here's a Peco truss compared to an N scale vehicle. By the time you add a proper deck, I think it would be an acceptable size, unless you're looking to make a little dinky one-lane bridge...

[sirenwerks]

From what I can see on the Shapeways site, the stonysmith bridge(s) are nothing more than a basic structure.  Is there any detail to them, any plating, rivets, etc.?  I could probably use one of those with the top girders removed, but if the detail's missing I may be better off just making one from Plastruct parts.

[DKS]

AFAIK, the Shapeways bridge has no detailing. It's also larger than the Peco N scale truss parts.

If you're just after some very basic truss parts, Plastruct makes these:

[sirenwerks]

I think that's the route I'll go; thanks, David.  I'll take a look at some of the GMM etchings and K&S offerings to work some finer detail in too.  I have all that stuff, packed up.  A move is pending though... one way or another.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I Think I understand the look you are going for. There are some older bridges here where the open truss reaches the top of the car. They are actually quite low and small.

[sirenwerks]

I Think I understand the look you are going for. There are some older bridges here where the open truss reaches the top of the car. They are actually quite low and small.

Exactly.  The LOC website has picks of ones that don't even go that high, but they seem to be mostly of a pin-connected design I'll likely stay away from for ease.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Here is the Boden LN bridge in Natick:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/West_Natick_Commuter_Rail_Station.jpg