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Does anyone have this on their layout - it is a newer item - 30" in length and catalog says it can be lifted out to span aisles, etc. It has Fastrack on it apparently but can be mated with tubular. I am using Ross track and am in need of a lift out bridge. Any pictures would be appreciated - especially if you're using it as a lift out bridge.

 

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Paul Kallus posted:

 I'll probably have to build something myself.

....which is exactly what I did.....but not because of the delays in this new truss bridge.  I built my layout a few years ago and had two tracks to 'leap' across a doorway to a storeroom.  I used the Lionel Bascule Bridge for one, the Lift Bridge for the other.  But since they were not long enough to do the job themselves, they were built into lift-out sections including short track pieces at either end.  Actually, the storeroom has bi-fold louvered doors that open inward, presenting no interference to the bridges.  So, if we (wife and/or I) are feeling flexible enough on a given day, and MUST access the seasonal items in the storeroom, we'll do the 'layout limbo' rather than remove the bridges. 

All in all, it's worked well...and exercise and an excellent chiropractor have maintained our flexibility adequately! (Besides, there's too much under-the-table electrical work to be done as things change/progress to yield to age!!!)

FWIW, always...

KD

luvtrains posted:

Sorry to ask again, but does anyone know if the new Lionel extended truss bridge picks picks up electrical contact directly from rail to rail contact or is wiring required from the layout track to the bridge track? I don't think the catalog mentions this.

The end of the rails sit on the piers where there are electrical contacts for power pickup. This is how it was done the last time they used this bridge tooling.

Just for another option; here are two 50" long 2 track drop-in bridges I recently made for our train show layout, to interconnect adjoining sets of members modules. They utilize the upper sections of MTH 30" 2 track arch truss bridges and 10" girder truss bridges, fastened to made up boxes consisting of 1/2" plywood upper and 2 x 2 side runners, all painted satin black. The lower portions of al bridges (which would normally support the track) is not used.

These are designed to quickly drop in and connect modules that are 48" apart nominally. They overhang 1" on either end. You could adjust them to suit most any spacing from 30" up, and they could also be made single track width. As is, they will accommodate any track spacing up to 4-1/2" C-C.

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Rod

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Hey guys,

The bridge I made lifts up and out - thus it doesn't connect to the "mainland" track - there's about a 1/16" gap. Electrical connection to the bridge tracks is made via plugs underneath the bridge - wired up thru and soldered to bridge tracks. 

The girders are from Lionel's Right of Way bridge kit, available on secondary markets.

BTW: My bridge is just over 36" long ~ the Lionel bride is only around 30" which would have necessitated me narrowing the walkway. My bridge is very strong - double layers of 3/4" plywood.

 

Last edited by Paul Kallus
Paul Kallus posted:

HPIM0209HPIM0210HPIM0211HPIM0157Hey everyone,

I ended up making a lift-out bridge from scratch. It is fully operational and works great. I just have to paint the girders - which are strictly cosmetic.

I've always envisioned something like that being controlled by a horizontal bar across the door to prevent people from opening and walking in through the tracks.  to enter you need to rotate the bar, which would rotate the bridge up and out of the way. 

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