Drop Bridge or Lift Bridge?

How about Lionel's new Truss Bridge. It's designed to lift out, is plenty long enough and you don't have to use the whole height of the piers...just the lift out part.

I thought about both, then realized that I had a better chance of hitting it if it was dropped down, do I built a raise bridge. Here is a short video of it. I goes high enough to clear the sides of the doorway once its in place.

Between those two options

I would recommend a lift bridge.  It's structural natural state is closed and supportive of whatever locomotive you have on it.

A drop bridge assembly, in the rare possibility the latching mechanism fails, will seek it's structural natural state which is open.  If bumped or broken dropping it open then gravity would do the rest resulting in what could be a potentially expensive physics lesson and shattered locomotive.   You'll also be less likely to brush against and break whatever trestle you built when walking through.

I built a drop hinged bridge. Look up Jim Barretts video on its construction. Search the forum here for other posts. 

mike g. posted:

I thought about both, then realized that I had a better chance of hitting it if it was dropped down, do I built a raise bridge. Here is a short video of it. I goes high enough to clear the sides of the doorway once its in place.

That is truly excellent, sir.  Really tremendous!

                                                                           -Bob

Thanks Bob, I am glad you liked it. That was my 3rd try and finely made it! LOL

I did a swing bridge or gate. It never falls or in the way. If you have the room In my opion its the best. and it doesn't have to look like a bridge.

Clem 

Lift bridges, considered drop bridges, basically the hinge side is the same for either bridge and track wiring, I found is easier to use a short piece of 1'' by 2" to support the non-pivoted end of the bridge when closed horizontally.

I have both to have access to my layout.

I have both as well. There is a drop down to access the layout (around the room) and a lift out on the far side.

Lift bridges are better if you are going to have scenery on them.  That way the scenery will be out of the way.  A drop bridge with scenery on it is a hazard to your legs and you can destroy your work.

Dennis

clem k posted:

I did a swing bridge or gate. It never falls or in the way. If you have the room In my opion its the best. and it doesn't have to look like a bridge.

Clem 

Do you have any pics of this that you could share at your convenience.  I really like this idea as well, I'd just be interested to know how its supported in such a way that it doesn't sag in the same manner that my pectoral muscles do.  Thanks!