Very nice progress Mark! Lots of moving parts. This is going to be some interesting feature area when completed, there is a lot to look at. I’m in a typical humid Long Island basement, and have used Homasote on top of a plywood deck painted only on one side and have never had an issue. But the dehumidifier runs steadily from late April to September.
Andy
Thank you, Andy!
Yes, there is a lot packed into a small space. It stopped raining and was reasonable to work outside the last few days, plus I had other jobs and a couple doctor appointments, so I didn't get much more done. I am actually to the place I could put the double track bridge in place. I will have to remove the one of the mounts for one hinge and a guide on the opposite end where the bridge end drops into place. Since I'll be doing more outside, I don't want to take the bridge our for an extended period of time. I'll work on some other things when I get a little time for now.
I don't have trouble with humidity in the train room either since there is a dehumidifier in the next room. The Homasote that isn't painted is fine, not to mention what is painted; yes on one side also.
Wow, Mark! Lots of stuff going on!
Peter
Thank you, Peter!!
Yes, this layout has finally hit a sweet spot where there are many things to do. I can pick and choose what I want to do each day. On the other hand, I am keeping in mind that some tasks need to be done in sequence. Don't put the tender before the engine! 
Once you get the River City gang in to help with the plywood, you will be working on many things besides building kits before you know it.
Looking good Mark, I missed the part before where you stated you were moving the switches to the other side of the bridge! I had to do the same thing with my switches to get them to like up with the bridge!
Hope your having fun!
Thank you, Mike! Yes I am having fun. I only wish I could get the outside work done, so I had more time with the layout! 😄
Mark just got caught up with all that you have going on. It is nice to be able to choose from several projects. We have almost completed the engine service area so choices are limited. Our completion date is July 31. After that, there will be plenty of choices.
Now, about that station that needs an interior… the double track bridge… etc. Trains are a fun challenge.
@Mark Boyce posted:I only wish I could get the outside work done, so I had more time with the layout! 😄
The perennial plea! You're getting much more work done than I am! And great work, too. I am eager to see how the new alignment works out. This process is perfectly prototypical, too. Real RRs did such tings all the time.
@Mark Boyce posted:Thank you, Mike! Yes I am having fun. I only wish I could get the outside work done, so I had more time with the layout! 😄
It's too hot and humid to work outside Mark.
I suggest time spent in a nice cool basement instead
Thank you, Bill, Steve, Ski!
Bill, yes that station does need an interior! I haven’t even looked at the links you gave me yet!
Steve, you are exactly right, this is prototypical! And I haven’t forgotten about fixing the low bridge with the parts you sent me. The scene reminds me of an older low line and newer high line by the same railroad or competitors. Then the high line is upgraded! Now a lot of those two track lines are being configured for one track on a double track bridge! But it’s the 1950s on the BCL, and business is booming!
John, I know what you mean! It says it’s 84, feels like 88. I’m in the shade and there is a breeze, but I don’t stay out too long. My excuse is I’m over 65 now and the weatherman says to stay indoors. 😆
@Scotie posted:Stayed in a B&B in Bethlehem PA and saw these on the slate roof. What a modeling job that would be.
No guts, no glory! 
said the guy who foolishly and regularly goes where angels fear to tread.
Seriously, those would be a challenge. But they look great!
Mark - the station is really excellent. I love the snowbirds! 
George
Thank you, George!
I was just reflecting on how much I have gotten done. Here are some comparison photographs from 2 years ago and today.
July 2020
July 2022
July 2020
July 2022 
You’ve made major strides Mark! What a difference from 2 years ago.
Andy
Looks great Mark. Slow and steady wins the race.
Bob
That’s some great progress Mark! Very nicely packed in. That bridge sure reaches high up!
Wow! You have really made a lot of progress.
Love the bridge and the station.
Looking great Mark. I'm wondering whenever I get started how I will fair. Problem for me will be time, so I'll only be able to get done a little here or there on weekends as during the week doing anything is nearly an impossible task. It is just that there is no time to get unless I stay up later than I should to try to get something done, and anyone that works with hard days of work knows it is hard to move if you are worn out from the days work. See what happens. I still have nearly all my time off, so if I get a bit started before I take time off, I will get a ton more done when I do.
Just like time lapse photography - well done !
Thank you, Andy, Bob, Rich, Bill, Dave, Richie!!
Yes the bridge does reach up high. I had to make sue the limit switch was set to allow it to go as high as possible so it didn't crowd the aisle but not hit the ceiling.
Dave, I didn't get much of anything done but false starts until I was close to retiring. It certainly got frustrating at times.
I didn't do much today except I took the track and walkway off the Atlas double track truss bridge to get it ready for painting since I bought it already built. There were small screws that held the track on from the underneath. Here is the bridge upside down with the track off. There is really a lot of detail underneath that is visible from the door when the bridge is in the raised position. I hate to cover that up with wood for stability as the bridge is raised and lowered, so I am thinking of looking into buying some plexiglass like Mike g. used on his.
Here's the track and walkway sections that I should paint too. The woodgrain pattern is nice on the plastic.
Peter
Peter
It can often be paralytic when you look at your layout from the perspective of "I have so much to do". It's much better to do as you are - focus on making progress and thus remain positive! Some steps take time - especially the scenery (as I'm learning now). I'm sure when you look at the old pictures you think "wow, I did accomplish a lot". The remaining items don't seem so daunting.
-Greg
@Mark Boyce Amazing Progress! It so satisfying to see everything start to take shape and come together.
Thank you, Peter, Greg, Justin!
Peter, The bridge is 10" x 40" @mike g. used a piece that looks to be about 1/2" thick, but it was something he had on hand. I'm thinking what you used would be around 1/4" thick. I don't know how thin plexiglass can be before it would flex too much.
Yes Greg, it is a hobby. There are no deadlines, no timelines, just do what I want, when I want.
Looking good Mark. I agree that 1/4” would be better weight wise. The bridge area will be some scene when complete. But you are making great strides now. Many projects that we all have seem to be multi-faceted. But worth the time when you wind up with the results you want.
Andy
Thank you, Andy! I reviewed Mike's photograph yesterday and saw he used the thick plexiglass as vertical reinforcing strips on either side of the bridge. He used much thinner plexiglass strips at intervals horizontally. It is funny how part of a photograph sticks with you and another part is forgotten, even though Mike pointed it all out at the time. So yes, I think 1/4" or so would work out nicely.
I don't have any updates on the layout. The weather was low humidity this week, so I did some things outside.
Hi Mark, things are looking nice! I can't wait to see the bridge painted! I found some plexiglass that I might be able to run threw the table saw that would work for you. I have to measure it. With the actuator you have weight is no problem as it is rated for 250lbs.
If I can cut the plexiglass nicely, I can just make it the same as mine and ship it to you. I will let you know!
Mark- assuming the flexibility in the bridge is lateral, (it tends to twist?), not vertical, then 1/4" plexi will be an adequate stiffener.
Sounds like you are in good hands with Mike. How's the knee BTW @mike g.
Bob
PS- You could always leave it alone an recreate the Tacoma Narrows Gallopin' Gertie
@RSJB18 posted:Mark- assuming the flexibility in the bridge is lateral, (it tends to twist?), not vertical, then 1/4" plexi will be an adequate stiffener.
Sounds like you are in good hands with Mike. How's the knee BTW @mike g.
Bob
PS- You could always leave it alone an recreate the Tacoma Narrows Gallopin' Gertie
Morning Bob, the Knee is still the same. I guess it would get better if I would stay off of it, but then things would not get crossed off the CEO's to-do list! LOL
When I was a kid my dad would take us over the Tacoma narrows bridge! Now they have a really nice one! LOL
Thank you, Mike and Bob!
Mike, I would certainly appreciate it if you have the right plexiglass to cut and ship. If not, thank you for offering!!
Bob, yes it is lateral flexibility, not vertical. Vertically, it is very sturdy. You are absolutely right, if I left the bridge as is, it could be like the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. I have seen short clips of it galloping, but never the inclusive film you found. I'll bet they hanged the engineers off the end of the bridge that was left intact. 
Back when I was going to Penn Tech in Downtown Pittsburgh in 1974-76, I walked across the 9th Street Bridge (now Rachel Carson Bridge) every day. In the winter the wind howled down the Allegheny River Valley and I would look at the suspension marveling at how it kept the bridge intact. Looking down there was nothing but broken ice refrozen into a jagged landscape from shore to shore. It felt about 20 degrees colder looking down.
Mike, you are right. On the one hand resting the knee would help, but you need to keep the CEO happy. My knee hurts doing anything. The surgeon told me it is not the knee replacement itself, but the tendons that connect the thigh to the calf by running down either side of the knee cap. I guess it isn't surprising because he had to shove all that over to the side to get access to the knee joint itself. Yuck!!! Kim has to somewhat baby her two knee replacements now that she has a form of rheumatoid arthritis that actually decreases the muscle mass. It is a fairly newly named diagnosis, and I can't remember the name of it.
Yes, I can't wait to see the bridge painted too. I think I want it painted a dull silver like the single track bridge. I'll have to go down the hill to the local Ace Hardware and see what is on their shelf. Lots of colors have been missing from the shelves for quite some time.
Hi Mark, I was able to measure the Plexiglass and it is 5/8th" thick. I seen on youtube if I use a torch or a heat gun it will take all the scratches out of it and make it look like new. I want to give that a try before I cut it as I would think you would like it clear as can be!
Mike I greatly appreciate anything you can do to help me. However, make sure you don't get in Dutch with the CEO because of helping me!
I have reconsidered my plan to leave the Atlas single track truss bridge intact for train running until I am ready to drop the double track version in place. As is usual, I want to visualize what it will look like and ask for opinions. I can run trains on my Ceiling Central Railroad in the meantime anyway.
Yesterday, I removed the single track bridge and set it aside. It was only 6 screws. I also removed the blocks of wood that are in the way for the double track bridge; 4 screws. I then set the double track bridge in place with the approach track and two tracks on the bridge. The bridge sits about 3/4" too low at the hinged end, but it gives a good idea of what it will look like. Here are a few viewing angles.
Now, here is the question. What color should I paint the unpainted double track bridge? I have seen a lot of the bridges, for instance @Tom Tee and @mike g. both have shown black ones. I thought I would paint it a dull silver like the single track bridge which you can see sitting on the layout in the background of these photographs. Maybe black looks better. I'm looking for suggestions before I go to the local Ace Hardware for paint. What say ye?
Sorry the last photograph is cockeyed. I was standing at the door and held the phone over the layout to get the photograph. I should have taken a few more, and used the one that was best.
Now you are rolling. Good decision.
Paula and I both prefer black.
@Mark Boyce posted:I have reconsidered my plan to leave the Atlas single track truss bridge intact for train running until I am ready to drop the double track version in place. As is usual, I want to visualize what it will look like and ask for opinions. I can run trains on my Ceiling Central Railroad in the meantime anyway.
Yesterday, I removed the single track bridge and set it aside. It was only 6 screws. I also removed the blocks of wood that are in the way for the double track bridge; 4 screws. I then set the double track bridge in place with the approach track and two tracks on the bridge. The bridge sits about 3/4" too low at the hinged end, but it gives a good idea of what it will look like. Here are a few viewing angles.
Now, here is the question. What color should I paint the unpainted double track bridge? I have seen a lot of the bridges, for instance @Tom Tee and @mike g. both have shown black ones. I thought I would paint it a dull silver like the single track bridge which you can see sitting on the layout in the background of these photographs. Maybe black looks better. I'm looking for suggestions before I go to the local Ace Hardware for paint. What say ye?
Sorry the last photograph is cockeyed. I was standing at the door and held the phone over the layout to get the photograph. I should have taken a few more, and used the one that was best.
That's the money shot Mark. The station and tower in the background look great.
I'm partial to weathered, grimy, silver, but it's YRR-YR (your RR- your rules).
Bob
Mark, the key in this situation is that there aren’t any bad choices. I tend to agree with Bob on using the silver. The black tends to blend in with the background. I might suggest, since your area is not lacking for bridges, that you do a field trip to review some possibilities. Look at them from a distance and close up; take photos. Then ponder the weathering possibilities.
Jay
Mark, you have interesting bridges and prominent placement if you are leaning toward representation of actual bridges, color is a natural. If not, you could make real short cardboard mockups of the end of bridge side and experiment with different base colors and weathering as others suggested. More aggressive weathering would really make your bridges pop imho. I am too slow on my layout progress to do that. And I need courage to experiment on my structures. Hope you have good results. Cheers.
Thank you, Bill, Bob, Jay, Pennsynut!
Bob, Thank you about the money shot! I wasn't even trying to get the tower in it. 
I've heard plenty about 'your railroad', but never saw it as YRR. I like it!
Jay, you are right, there aren't bad choices. Your comment about bridges in my area rattled my brain enough to say, "What did the prototype do?" LOL Of the color photographs I can find, the bridges were silver or gray at one time. By the time of color photography, there was a lot of rust. I want the railroad to look like it is still in it's heyday. I'll still be glad to entertain suggestions!!
Pennsy, you wrote while I was typing. Experimenting with different colors is a good suggestion. They aren't really representations of actual bridges. If I did that, I may not live that long. I am with you, I really need to practice on weathering before doing it on a nice model. Again, I may never get that far.
Mark, A dull gray might be a great idea, here in the pacific northwest it think more are black or green.
As for the Plexi glass I was not able to bring it back to new looking. But if you would like I can still cut it for you. I was thinking at 5/8th" thick you would only need them to be 1 1/4- 1 1/2" tall. Or you can just go with your 1/4". Just let me know!
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