Bridges

I use atlas track on my bridges. I think it looks better. You can drop the bridge into place, so the atlas track aligns with Lionel fastrack. I use a wedge shaped piece at the end to ensure the bridge goes to exactly the right place to align the track.

Alternatievly, you could have a hinge on one side of the bridge to make it open up out of the way for you to pass through

In the picture above, you can see the fastrack connection with the atlas track in the lower right. The atlas track is attached to the bridge, the fastrack to the layout. The wood that aligns the atlas track to the fastrack is disguised as the bridge abutment. It holds the track at the right level and in alignment with the fastrack. My bridge is hinged at the far end, where the bridge is electrically connected to the track wiring.

so that's a yes???? Looks great and I assume there are no clips between the brige and layout.

Berg,

Yes, that is correct. You do not need track clips between the lift out bridge section and the cut Fastrack. As long as you run power to the bridge section, and the track aligns properly, your trains should run smoothly across.

I agree with Joe K, for bridges the Atlas track looks better because it has no ballast.

-bruce

Double Atlas Pratt Truss Bridge.  They do very well at 40".  As a lift-out, I did a simple plug-in for the two tracks.

Using different track you would have to match railhead height.

Those are some real nice bridge set ups.  Nice job guys!

This article, Access Bridges used as Switches may be helpful.

Susan,

Didn't you have a hinged lift bridge with a pneumatic shock assist?  I was hoping to emulate that set up for my Atlas Truss bridge but I couldn't find it on your site.  Did it work out well? 

The pneumatic assist and machining Section for those two bridges hasn't been posted on the site.  I'm stalling until I need to "bite the bullet" and do it.  The electrical circuits with relays for both bridges have been posted at "Bridges Wired to Control Track Power
with Relays for Engine Protection".

If the "pneumatic assist and machining Section" would be of interest, I'll be happy to get it posted.

I'd be interested.  I had bookmarked a page on your site that included your initial photos of this effort, but I can't seem to find it now.  I'm more concerned with the mechanics - what kind of hinges; what choice of pneumatic lift; how the attachments are made; and, how well it works.

It seemed to be a more elegant and practical solution than a simple lift out bridge.

Thanks!

As usual Mike, exquisite work.  I learned a lot from this one post on what I need to do to make that PRR Panhandle bridge at Steubenville (MP 42.11) a practical reality.

Thanks,

George