Library - "Structures - Bridges" Magazine Articles

Category Description: Covers all types of bridges.

A Temporary Trestle for the OBR

Garden Railways 2008-08 pg. 48     Scale: G     Author: Marc Horovitz

The author describes how he built a trestle bridge from branches to keep his layout running while he is deciding how to build a more permanent structure.

Bridge Signs

Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-03 pg. 79     Scale: HO     Author: Alex Walker

Railroads used bridges over roads as advertising billboards. The author describes how he models them.

Bridging Mack's Gap

N Scale Railroading 2006-07/08 pg. 40     Scale: N     Author: Phil Brooks

The photo essay documents how the author installed a Micro-Engineering steel viaduct in his layout.

Bridging Teton Gorge

Model Railroader 2006-02 pg. 50     Scale: N     Author: Dan Lewis

This article on how to create concrete piers and erect a deck-girder bridge on top of them has parts lists, detailed drawings, and close-up construction photos.

Bridging the Gaps in the Superior Northern

Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-03 pg. 88     Scale: HO     Author: Bob Winterton

The author describes the bridges he built for this layout.

Build a Better Bridge

Model Railroader 2006-07 pg. 30     Scale: N     Author: David Popp

The author scratchbuilds a through-girder bridge. The article has step-by-step photos, prototype photo, and diagrams.

Building a Modern Plate Girder Bridge

Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-08 pg. 38     Scale: HO     Author: Ken Patterson

The author built a diorama focused on a bridge crossing a creek in an area where he hung out when he was young. Today it is covered with graffiti, which he also modeled. Diorama construction photos and bridge scale drawings are included.

Building a River Crossing

Model Railroader 1996-09 pg. 72     Scale: HO     Author: Bill Darnaby

The author uses foam board for his layout's construction, so this article describes how he fit a bridge into the scenery. The result is very convincing.

Building the Ninth Bridge

Garden Railways 2008-08 pg. 50     Scale: G     Author: David Fleetwood

Inspired by a trip to Scotland the author set out to build a 18.5-foot bridge consisting of tens of thousand parts.

Concrete Structures for Model Railroads

Model Railroader 1978-02 pg. 116     Scale:      Author: Philip P. Page Jr.

How to build forms and pour concrete for foundations like they do in the prototype.

Constructing the Float Bridge on the Bay Ridge Harbour RR

O Scale Trains Magazine 01 March 2002 pg. 31     Scale: O     Author: Neville Rossiter

This photo essay shows how the author built the car float bridge for his layout.

Crossing Coolie Canyon

Model Railroader 1978-08 pg. 54     Scale: HO     Author: J.C. Myer

Building two bridges over a canyon on the layout. One is a stonearch cast-in-place bridge and the other a steel trestle one.

Detailing Micro-Engineering Trestle Tower

N-Scale 2000-05/06 pg. 43     Scale: N     Author: Don Ledger

Adding gussets, lattice bars, and rivets to improve a decent basic structure. Includes a side bar on embossing rivet heads in styrene using a pounce wheel. Article includes prototype photos.

Dismal Creek Bridge

Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-06 pg. 61     Scale: O     Author: William C. Schaumburg

The author describes how he scratchbuilt a very basic timber bridge, modeling, with actual sticks and branches, just what the prototype did.

Easy-to-model Small Bridges

Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-07 pg. 91     Scale: (none)     Author: James Foster

Building a small bridge over a creek.

Fire Protection for Open Deck Bridges

Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-10 pg. 88     Scale:      Author: David G. Lambert

Describes how the railroad fight fires in various open deck bridges.

How To Scratchbuild a Bridge

N-Scale 2003-05/06 pg. 52     Scale: N     Author: John Gerdes

Detailed instructions and photos of how to build a deck girder bridge.

Kitbashing the Walthers N Scale Truss Bridge

Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-02 pg. 67     Scale: N     Author: Al Skinner

Using the Walthers double-track truss bridge, the author built in three different ways, depending on the amount of time one desires to invest in the project. Includes constructions details.

Model a Stone Viaduct

Model Railroader 2002-10 pg. 82     Scale: HO     Author: Marc Jasinski

Stone viaduct using wood, styrene, and foam insulation spray.

Modeling Wilburton Trestle

N-Scale 2005-11/12 pg. 56     Scale: N     Author: Robert L. Hundman

Shows how the author built the bends and starts assembling the bridge. Includes prototype photos.

Modeling Wilburton Trestle

N-Scale 2006-05/06 pg. 49     Scale: N     Author: Robert L. Hundman

The author continues to build the 6-foot model of this large bridge. The bents are complete, so he shows how he is putting them together to create the bridge.

Modeling Wilburton Trestle Part 5

N-Scale 2006-07/08 pg. 46     Scale: (none)     Author: Robert L. Hundman

This installment covers completing most of the structure.

Modeling a Low Level Arch Bridge

Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-08 pg. 89     Scale: N     Author: Julian Cavalier

Build the bridge on a diorama and install it on the layout afterwards.

Modeling the B&O's St. George Float Bridge

Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-12 pg. 56     Scale: HO     Author: Tom Griffiths

The author built this bridge using slides he took in the 1970's before the bridge was removed. Includes prototype and model photos, scale drawings, complete construction details, and a sidebar on how to integrate a car float into layout operations.

Modeling the Wilburton Trestle

N-Scale 2005-10/11 pg. 58     Scale: N     Author: Robert L. Hundman

The author is attempting to build a full-scale model of this bridge, with correct topography. Prototype photos and scale drawings are included. Trestle bent construction photos are included also.

Movable Railroad Bridges of Chicago

Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-05 pg. 90     Scale: (none)     Author: Jeff Scherb

The final installment of this series covers vertical lift bridges. Includes scale drawings and prototype photos.

Movable Railroad Bridges of Chicago Pt. 1

Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-03 pg. 95     Scale: (none)     Author: Jeff Scherb

This installment covers swing bridges. It includes many prototype photos and scale drawings.

Movable Railroad Bridges of Chicago Pt. II

Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-04 pg. 88     Scale: (none)     Author: Jeff Scherb

This installment covers Chicago's bascule bridges using text, photos, and scale drawings.

NYO&W Steel Deck Bridge

Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-02 pg. 60     Scale:      Author: Julian Cavalier

Prototype photos and scale drawings accompany this article about the bridge near Rome, New York.

Not Quite Buildings

Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-08 pg. 88     Scale: (none)     Author: Bob Walker

Scratchbuilding retaining walls, culverts, and abutments.

On the Beam (Gotta' Dance)

Model Railroading 2002-06 pg. 52     Scale: HO     Author: Jim Mansfield

Bridge construction

PRR Standard Highway Overpasses

The Keystone Modeler 74 Summer 2010 pg. 18     Scale: HO     Author: Tim Garner

Covers the standard PRR highway-over-track bridges. Many good-quality close-up prototype photos show the construction and design of these bridges. Includes scale diagrams and step-by-step instructions on how to build one in HO-scale.

Simple Bridge Railings

Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-06 pg. 72     Scale:      Author: Jerry Wikstrom

The author shows how he built bridge railings using hardware cloth.

Spanning the Bear River

Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-10 pg. 60     Scale: HO     Author: Dick Roberts

Dick built a very close match to this 812-foot long bridge that sits at 190 feet above the water of the Nevada County Railroad. Many construction photos and drawings are included with the article, as well as a prototype photo.

Starrucca Viaduct

Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-10 pg. 37     Scale: (none)     Author: Tony Koester

Found in northeastern Pennsylvania, this 110-foot high, quarter mile long bridge has 17 stone arches. Includes a map of the area, several small and one centerfold photo of the structure.

Steel Tower Footings

Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-03 pg. 66     Scale:      Author: Jerry Wikstrom

Using keyboard keys as footings for bridges.

The Abingdon Footbridge

N-Scale 2002-03/04 pg. 49     Scale: N     Author: Robert L. Hundman

Full discussion, scaled drawings, prototype photos, and detailed model photographs of the construction of the Abingdon, VA footbridge as it was after WWII.

The Donald Clerke Memorial Bridge

Model Railroader 2002-08 pg. 92     Scale: HO     Author: Earl Smallshaw

Retrieving and restoring a bridge from a friend's layout.

Two Small Bridges Part 2

Railroad Model Craftsman 1979-03 pg. 86     Scale: HO     Author: Al Westerfield

This installment covers building a riveted plate girder bridge. Prototype and model photos are included, as well as a scale drawing. Various close-up photos of prototype bridges provide a clear view of the details to consider when building this model.