Lionel's NEW bridges-

Pingman and others,

The worst part is wading through rather vague instructions and separating out all the pieces for sizing. The first one I built was not as easy but I did it. The one thing I did not mention was that I used Archer Rivet decals. While they looked great, it too more than 2 sheets at 18.00 a sheet to put on the rivets. These look great but I almost doubled the cost of the bridges.

Dick

So it is plastic? I listened to the notch 6 pod cast... you have to wait until around 45:00 to here the updates, but no mention of if its plastic or die-cast. Just its made from existing  tooling.

I am not a tool maker but if its existing tools than its the same material as the swing bridge, which is die cast.

Bad news is I believe the price IS 299.00 for one bridge and two piers.

A few years ago the swing bridges were being blown out at 99 bucks because few had room for them. I'll be you can still find them for much less than 300 bucks.

Pete

I sent an email to "Talk to Us" and asked what it was constructed out of.  When I get an answer I'll post it.

Good Day,

I made an inquiry to Lionel this morning with regards to what the bridge was made of......"this is plastic with a metal base". 

Regards,

Swafford

Thanks for the confirmation.

J Daddy, I read the catalog description for the bridge last night when the 1 bridge or 2 bridge question came up; and, the $299 msrp is definitely for ONE bridge.  They do supply bridge length information for one bridge and two connected bridges to show the bridge can be connected to another bridge.

Missed this thread, interesting.  Nice bridge.

Yes, thanks Carl, it was more clear when I listened to the Notch 6 broadcast.

One bridge, 2 end piers, $299.

Pretty much what I thought and post early on........$300...no thanks

Not to go off topic but I do like the Lionel Swing bridge. Interesting product.

Is that bridge for very tall canoes??? I don't see a big ship clearing either side?!?!?!?!?

Wow...I was hoping it was $299 for two bridges. I do like the bridge with the adjustable features for track, etc. Thanks J Daddy for starting this thread which answered my questions. I was impressed when I saw it in the catalog. 

Agree that it's an "interesting" product; but, I can't get past the footings in the waterway.  For $399 msrp, a better mechanism should have been designed to avoid those footings/piers.  Back to the original topic.

What happens if you don't use the piers in the water? I have one of these I've been trying to sell, but I might have a spot for it...

Umm, pleasure boats? Yah the huge coal barge wouldn't squeeze by.

The bridge works fine without using the piers. Here's a photo of the swing bridge on my layout.

I am surprised at the pricing, and I may have sniffed too much solder fumes in the last couple of weeks soldering my yard, but I could have sworn the model bridge girders were die-cast!

But anywho, looking at the prototypes, there was never much clearance on these devices any way. I like the innovative product, and the versitile piers but for 300.00 I may as well buy the original and modify it as needed...

Price aside, it is an easy fix for those of us who do not possess the skills to construct a neat lift up like on page 1 or a lift out with aligning pins posted on this forum multiple times. The detail looks great too.

As for the price, it all depends on your skills and value of your time based on your skills. Just my opinion.

Mike

I am one of those who don't have the skills (or patience), I would rather buy a lift out as is if enticing. And this bridge is enticing to me, except I would need to buy 2 because it would connect a double mainline. Maybe Lionel will make a double track one in the future. I know it would cost more, but maybe not as much as 2 separate ones. 

Liked the idea so much I pre-ordered one today. Let's hope they get made. I'll need to use the FasTrack transition track to connect it to the rest of my track.

Mike