Hinges for Draw Bridge

Hinge pivot point has to be at or above the track or the tracks will bind.

If the hinge raised the bridge deck level first then went up that may work.

I would elevate the bridge and hinge mech as a single unit, up above the track level first, then swing it the rest of the way up.

A chain or brake could stop the bridge at whatever  angle or level wanted.

As you have discovered, different situations require different hinges

My first "people" access bridges were hinged with the same type Dad used.  I used stop blocks as needed to keep the bridge up.  See attache pdf How To.

My current bridges are more advanced.  See "Kit bash an Atlas 3-Rail Pratt Truss Bridge Kit with custom hinges and a gas spring".

When I didn't have vertical clearance for a lift bridge I used a swing bridge that swivels on a door hinge.

See more information here "Toy Train Layout Wiring - Switches, Page 2"

For more hinges use the Forum SEARCH and search for "hinge bridge" in the Track Plans and Layout Design forum.

totrainyard posted:

Hinge pivot point has to be at or above the track or the tracks will bind.

If the hinge raised the bridge deck level first then went up that may work.

I would elevate the bridge and hinge mech as a single unit, up above the track level first, then swing it the rest of the way up.

A chain or brake could stop the bridge at whatever  angle or level wanted.

This is what I did with my truss bridge.