Lionel? Bridge

Michael,

   Yes, you are missing the ramps.  These do not work with steam engines that have the coaw catchers.  I bought one and everytime my 262 ran over it, the front end would get hung up on the ramp as it is too steep incline at conenction between the ramp and the bridge.  My 253 box engine would have worked fine on it.  A good note is that you have all four wooden finials.

    Kevin

Your answer is yes track has changed. for a long time you could only get used lionel track. then k-line started making track. the tie have changed slighty through the years. the new lionel track is like the k-line was.

Thank you both of you. Well I guess I will have to watch for a set of ramps, or just cut a hole in the layout and recess it into the layout.  That would solve the ramp and the steam engine problems (and it's better than my first idea, cut the supports).

As for track, I know I have some old Lionel track around (I think I used it as sidings). I will switch it around if I end up using this so that it all fits correctly.

Is there a Lionel number for this bridge?

I like it!

Thanks, I do too. Actually, the photos make it look in better shape than it is though. The green and gray paint are starting to bubble and peel from the rust underneath. If it wasn't, I might leave it as is.

What you have is the center span for a Lionel prewar tinplate #106 bridge.  Traditional O gauge tubular tinplate track fits this bridge, and comes from the same era.   You can find ramps on ebay that go with it.   With a little looking you can also find the correct paint to match the cream posts, pea green girders, and gray deck.  It's a vintage piece, my vote would be if you modify it to fit your layout, do so in a way that it can be changed back to its original form.   It's a cool bridge, has a lot of character.

I have comparable bridges on my layout, and have found that a small amount of recessing into the layout surface (about 1/2" in most cases) eliminates the problem of locomotive pilots grounding out on the center rail, without damaging the vintage tinplate bridge.  Just my $0.02.

As Kevin posted, the ramps are too steep for some locomotives. Making your own ramps would be better. You could make certain that all your locomotives and cars could run on them.