Weekend Update 2/16/14

[mark dance]

Mark,

Did you have all of those parts etched based on your own drawings?  How did you come up with accurate enough dimensions?  I have a plan to build the Niagara Canyon bridge on Vancouver Island at some point.  It pin connected as well but much larger.  I'm not sure it'll ever happen but I'm still interested in your construction and design.  I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Thanks, Craig

Thank you Craig...yes, I am really looking forward to seeing more as well.    It has been a very challenging project so far and I hope it all turns out.  Not only because this is the most interesting of the 8 big bridges I have to model but also because it is the last one and kind tops them off.  I hope I am not disappointed in the end.

I was lucky enough to get plans for all the major bridges on the subs I model from CPR archives.  This includes the spans, river soundings, footings, upgrades etc.  Unfortunately the major elements of this bridge were originally constructed for the Bow river crossing and so only the new elements and footings and the final layout of the elements for the Boundary Sub were in the package of drawings I got.  This is also the most remote of the bridges and so very hard to photograph.

The model's design is compressed in both height and width by 30% to fit the space available.  I then had to figure out what compromises needed while still reflecting the feel of the prototype.  I reduced the bridge from 11 “panels” to 9 so as to still have enough of the interwoven cross links in the middle panels to represent the prototype although this does force the angle of the diagonal links to be reduced by about 15 degrees.  Compromises, compromises. I then had to figure out how to make the links and other components from.  The design was quite challenging and the assembly may well be more challenging as I found out this week with the test fit or numerous links.

The cross members are being laser cut by RSLaser from the original CAD drawings.  Rich at RSL is great to work with in my experience and I used them for snowshed bents a couple of years ago.  I received test samples last week and have tweaked their design a bit for a second pass.

The etchings for the links and laced girders were more problematic as I had to figure out how to "pour" a suitable pdf negative out of my CAD package.  I have used PPD of Scotland who were recommended to me by Gary Hinshaw.  The quality is and service is excellent but the price is a bit steep.  Good thing this is the last bridge!

As to Niagara canyon bridge, my friend Steve Stark has a RPM of the relocated Cisco bridge on his E&N layout.  It was made by Kevin Know who also offers it for sale.  Are you thinking of the earlier bridge that this one replaced?



md

[Scottl]

Ex-Cisco hawtness!   

Is he the person who does the Stoney Creek bridge too?

[Iain]

Been doing some more work on the Sharks:



And, did a tender for an NS ten wheeler:



Note the rounded bits at the top of the coal bunker, a hallmark of NS tenders.

[randgust]

Hey, Mark, that looks like the same drive as in HVRR 5 with the 5.14:1 reduction.   Sweet.   I was going to ask you how you did it but that top shot shows it well.

That just wants to make me want to go do it a second time.   Mine has held up really, really well.

[mark dance]

Ex-Cisco hawtness!   

Is he the person who does the Stoney Creek bridge too?

Yes he is. 

I was originally going to go the RPM route for all the bridges but, for a variety of reasons, I am very happy now that I did not.

md

[Scottl]

I considered RPM too, but decided to go the route to oblivion and etch 

With a long weekend, some quality time with my Cisco etches and a bottle of CA.  Organizing all the parts:



The first pillar, some minor issues to correct and not particularly flattering light:

[craigolio1]

Thank you Craig...yes, I am really looking forward to seeing more as well.    It has been a very challenging project so far and I hope it all turns out.  Not only because this is the most interesting of the 8 big bridges I have to model but also because it is the last one and kind tops them off.  I hope I am not disappointed in the end.

I was lucky enough to get plans for all the major bridges on the subs I model from CPR archives.  This includes the spans, river soundings, footings, upgrades etc.  Unfortunately the major elements of this bridge were originally constructed for the Bow river crossing and so only the new elements and footings and the final layout of the elements for the Boundary Sub were in the package of drawings I got.  This is also the most remote of the bridges and so very hard to photograph.

The model's design is compressed in both height and width by 30% to fit the space available.  I then had to figure out what compromises needed while still reflecting the feel of the prototype.  I reduced the bridge from 11 “panels” to 9 so as to still have enough of the interwoven cross links in the middle panels to represent the prototype although this does force the angle of the diagonal links to be reduced by about 15 degrees.  Compromises, compromises. I then had to figure out how to make the links and other components from.  The design was quite challenging and the assembly may well be more challenging as I found out this week with the test fit or numerous links.

The cross members are being laser cut by RSLaser from the original CAD drawings.  Rich at RSL is great to work with in my experience and I used them for snowshed bents a couple of years ago.  I received test samples last week and have tweaked their design a bit for a second pass.

The etchings for the links and laced girders were more problematic as I had to figure out how to "pour" a suitable pdf negative out of my CAD package.  I have used PPD of Scotland who were recommended to me by Gary Hinshaw.  The quality is and service is excellent but the price is a bit steep.  Good thing this is the last bridge!

As to Niagara canyon bridge, my friend Steve Stark has a RPM of the relocated Cisco bridge on his E&N layout.  It was made by Kevin Know who also offers it for sale.  Are you thinking of the earlier bridge that this one replaced?



md

Mark,

You've sure taken on a project there and it will look stunning.

I am modeling the E&N as well and I have seen that bridge. I contacted him a couple of times but he never got back to me. I was hoping to see detailed shots of it. I doubt the RP process could pull off all of those tiny links. I'm also concerned about the stair stepping on all of the bits that would be diagonal. That being said that picture looks awesome and it could be done very quickly. A tempting trade of when considering what the alternative is.

Craig

[Mark W]

Hey, Mark, that looks like the same drive as in HVRR 5 with the 5.14:1 reduction.   Sweet.   I was going to ask you how you did it but that top shot shows it well.

That just wants to make me want to go do it a second time.   Mine has held up really, really well.

Yep, it was your project along with Chris's, 2-6-2 conversion that made me order the 5.14:1 reduction.  I wish I had ordered about a dozen more.  I have another Mogul ready and waiting for the upgrade, and definitely plan to get more! 

[nstars]

I have been working on the PRR F30 flat car from N Scale Kits. The frame has been detailed, painted and is ready for the decals.



PS the coupler screws will of course be shortened



Marc

[chuck geiger]

WTH are these? Plane parts, Modern windmills? or Jolly Green Giant blunts?

http://cheyrails.blogspot.com/2014/02/unusual-loads-on-up-through-cheyenne.html

[C855B]

WTH are these? Plane parts, Modern windmills? or Jolly Green Giant blunts?

http://cheyrails.blogspot.com/2014/02/unusual-loads-on-up-through-cheyenne.html

Wind turbine blades.

[The Beer Baron]

WTH are these? Modern windmills?

http://cheyrails.blogspot.com/2014/02/unusual-loads-on-up-through-cheyenne.html

Those are indeed windmill blades. Occasionally you will see the turbines OFC as well..



On the Weekend Update side, I'm trying to post a new blog entry but Blogger seems to have shite the bed and refuses to publish. More on that later if I'm successful.

[Dave Schneider]

I've been out of the saddle for a while, but got back at it a bit this weekend. Working on the corner of Juneau and 3rd Avenue at the end (or the beginning) of the Beer Line. Working on the Sydney Hih building and did a quick mockup to see how it would fit. May build a small bit of perspective into it help it join the backdrop. Found a good photo looking west on Juneau Ave to help develop the backgorund, and the Pabst brewery can be seen at the top of the hill. Pabst would transload inbound grain, malt etc, and outbound beer from the yard and elevators adjacent to this scene.



Best wishes, Dave

[tom mann]

Dave that looks great!

[Dave Schneider]

Dave that looks great!

Thanks Tom. It looks better in the photo than in person, but I am encouraged.

Best wishes, Dave