A Bridge Too Far-ish

Why not just use bristol board?

Metal tape they use for duct work.

Looks great. All you need are the bridge guide rails and bridge feet from forum sponsor Scale City Designs!

rex desilets posted:

Why not just use bristol board?

Matt board, even poster board....any of these paper products. I'd use a big nail and emboss rivets from the back side before you apply the plates to the bridge.....nice work! 

I have built some craftsman kits that had gussets like you are doing.  I think it was very thin copper cut to size and supplied rivets.  The rivets kept the metal in place and looked great.  Now I remember it had a template for the shape and rivet placement.  Don't have a clue where to source the rivets, but I would think they are out there.  I could take a pic.  I still have the model.

Below is a picture of a 24-inch truss bridge with construction similar to yours that I scratch built. It is quite strong and has been in service on my model railroad for three years - often carrying heavy die-cast steam locomotives. All structural members, including the gusset plates, are basswood and assembled using only yellow carpenter's glue. The gusset plates are cut from 1/16-inch thick basswood and add significant strength and rigidity to the structure by tying multiple beams together. I did not think it was necessary to include rivets, but that certainly could be done. I think this approach should work for you.

MELGAR

Hi Steve, I think you have a very nice looking bridge. Sometimes too good is no good. The most I would do with it is to add some rivet detail to the Fish Plates you made as joint braces.

I had some success with little drops of wood glue applied to the plates with the bridge laying on it's side. You don't wont the glue to run before it dries. But, a good hobby shop sells rivet detail that comes on brass strips. You can epoxy the strips on how you like. 

Other then that I would not touch it. Nice Job!

Thanks all for the responses and the great ideas to consider.  While I'm disappointed in what I tried so far at least the bridge structure is in place (temporary) so I can complete other portions of my upper level.