Building the Lift-Up Bridge Part 2 - The Escarpment - November 2022

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

For behind the scenes content, the link to my Escarpment Facebook Group is: facebook.com/groups/theescarpment

[@philiphickman5085]

Congratulation on finishing all your track work

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks Philip!

[@onnomulder9775]

Awesome as usual Jason!!! Well done! Cheers Onno.

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks Onno

[@TheMrXtian]

Good morning Jason, today I came across your two videos about the Lift-Up Bridge. Wow, a well thought out solution. After moving to a new house, I am faced with the problem that there are 2 doors in my new engine shed that interrupt my oval track layout. Your bridge will certainly be a godfather in my adaptation. Thank you for taking your time to share your work with us. Christian Berlin / Germany

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi Christian, thankyou for your encouraging words. It is always great to hear when people get inspiration from my work/videos to help them overcome the same challenges we face in this hobby. Best of luck with your new build..cheers

[@kevinbohnenblust5844]

Great videos on your lift out. It gives me inspiration and confidence in building my own. Thank you!

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi Kevin, I'm glad it was of some help with your endeavours..cheers

[@nalinpremaratna925]

Lovely layout ...... I have three lift up bridges .... going to change them after watching your video. Thanks for sharing

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks for watching. Why do you want to change yours for? Regards

[@evpeacock6641]

Hello Jason,finally someone is explaining the lift out section that I understand the wiring.thanks very much.love your layout. Goodbye Jason kind regards Ev.peacock at Derbyshire .

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi Ev, I appreciate the feedback and happy to hear it was of value to you..regards

[@modeltrainstipsandtutorials]

Gave it one more try and pleased to see that you did not have that annoying "Subscribe" thing going on so have subscribed .

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Welcome..but a warning, I do things out side the box at times because it amuses me..cheers

[@KingsviewModelRailway]

Great to see it working! Don't be surprised to see expansion and contraction, its both sides of the layout that is moving due to humidity.

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks Dallas..time will be the teacher

[@newcastlerabbit]

Fantastic achievement Jason on completion of your track work

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks Matthew, appreciate that..cheers

[@alanschultz3858]

well done pal it works a treat

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks Alan..so far so good..regards

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Jason, cool construction, love the copper tape idea on the micro switch arm. Makes it simple and reliable. Cheerio

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks Vincent..has been trouble free, knock on wood..cheers

[@normanrowe2831]

Congratulations Jason on your first lift up bridge and the completion of your track work.

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi Norman, thanks..it was a bad as I thought, but time will tell how good it was put together lol..cheers

[@mandbhomestead]

Jason, great job on the bridge. Looks awesome. Thanks for sharing, stay safe. Ken

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi Ken, thanks for watching..cheers

[@clivecobbold6815]

Hi Jason great to see you again mate I have two left out bridge on my new layout I had to move out of the loft and build a new layout in in one of are bedroom mate because my keens are bad now mate good by for now Clive in N lreland

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi Clive, Yeah, this is my first. It was not something I wanted to jump over, lol. But it was also something I couldn't avoid if I wanted the yard extension and allowing North and South approaches..cheers

[@KingsviewModelRailway]

Great to see how you have wired up the bridge. Expect expansion and contraction between both ends as the layout timbers absorb moisture when it's humid. I get 5mm variation in my bridge!

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi Dallas, yeah will see what it does over time with the expansion. I'm probably more concerned with rail expansion..cheers

[@paulhargreaves1497]

This is great...both the bridge and wiring, and the video / clear explanation. Subbed! Best wished to you guys in the East Island 😆

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi Paul, I appreciate the feedback! Excuse the pun, but welcome aboard. Regards

[@markcole265]

Merry Xmas and a Happy a New Year for you and your family, That's a great job well done congratulations I love your layout.

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks Mark, appreciate the feedback..it has been hassle free. Merry Christmas to you and family as well. Regards

[@Elvenhome]

Congratulations on completing the track work. That is a milestone with any layout build. I thought the microswitches was an inspired idea, and as you demonstrated, it does exactly what you wanted it to do. The extension to provide a complete loop is going to add so a lot of additional options in operating the layout. Look forward to seeing you move to the scenics. Stephen

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanls Stephen, yes lots of great options now and in future operating sessions..regards

[@philnewman1110]

Great video as always Jason, it’s always good when the track laying is finally over!

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks Phil, it is great to have no more track work needing attention! Regards

[@rorymackintosh4196]

I'd liketo suggest that you hook up a light outside the door to idicate the bridge is down. that way if the curtain is closed people will know not to just walk through without looking.

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks for the suggestion. Usually, the curtains are only drawn if filming, and the door can be locked so people would have to knock. But will keep your suggestion as an option..regards

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Jason, congratulations on completion of the track work. The bridge has worked really well with some really good solutions for wiring and for holding the thing in place! Loved the moment when you had that feeling of have I thought this through🤔 I have loads of those😂. So I’m guessing we can’t be far away from starting some scenic work, which I’m looking forward to and you have plenty of it to scenic! Cheers for now Jason, John

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi John, thanks for the comments. Yes it was one of those moments. When I did confirm that though I honestly thought I had to start over..but glad I sat back and worked through the issues one at a time. Now it looks like I had it all planned out lol. Just to work though the control panels and then scenic wont be too far around the corner..regards

[@johnsrailways8609]

Hello Jason, Love your work, but (always a bloody but") If you power the bridge from the fixed end. you wont need the "brass plates, I think these maybe troublesome as a conductor and give you intermittent power issues. I would still use the limit switches, but one at each end to kill the power both to the bridge and the section of track before and after. This will provide the safety buffer so a train doesn't perform a spectacular off the end of the bridge as exciting as that may be.If you have problems with the wires at the fixed end breaking through constant flexing I would suggest using a telephone handset cable. In fact I would use that first (Jaycar YT6047, $8.95) ...cheers

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi John, appreciate the comments. The power setup does cut track power to the bridge, as well as the pieces of track before and after. I did install the micro switches at an angle to help have more contact area of the arms on the brass plates, but time will be the teacher..cheers

[@unfitforpurpose6422]

Congrats on now having a gigantic tail chasing layout Jason it's been a massive build so far

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

It has indeed..but does feel good to have the track install completed..regards

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Jason , so the metal tab from the micro switches makes contact to the brass contacts pads on the bridge, excellent and simple way of wiring the bridge

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi James, yes indeed. Connects power but also disconnects power about a meter on each side when the brifge is up..cheers

[@68Jaguar420G]

A bit late watching this video and so equally late to the comments due to a very busy weekend. Nevertheless the bridge looks good Jason! It should give you years of good service and protect from trains overrunning the ends. But I am concerned that the micro-switches are mounted on an exposed face of the bench work. It's only a matter of time before you catch your shin or something you are carrying on them causing damage to the switches and yourself. I'd recommend placing some blocking a bit thicker than the depth of the micro-switches (15-25%) between each edge and the nearest micro-switch and between each micro-switch. Then add a thin facing piece (1/8") to provide a continuous smooth surface the full depth of the bench work defining the narrowest width of the walk-through gap and protecting the switches from impact.

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Never too late lol. Yes we are on the same wavelength, was just thinking about that a couple of days ago. Will be easy enough to make a cover plate. There is plenty of room there and this shouldn't happen..but better safe than sorry..cheers

[@marklittlejohn1457]

Excellent tips and video thankyou

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks for the feedback Mark..cheers

[@cossiephil]

Great to see it working Jason! I like the micro switch isolation circuit, very cool!

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks Phil, has been working really well to date..regards

[@cossiephil]

@@JasonWood_Escarpment Great to hear Jason! I’m not on Facebook so cant shoot you a message there, so hopefully this is ok. I’m not sure how easy it is in the world of 3d printing, but what would be the chances of getting one of your double tunnel portals printed in N Scale?

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

@@cossiephil not sure how well it would scale down..will need to investigate that, will have to get back to you

[@cossiephil]

@@JasonWood_Escarpment Thanks Jason, no rush, if it works out you might be able to sell a few, there’s nothing out there in n scale other than the regular overseas options. I’m sure it’s similar for HO modellers too.

[@Steelerfan820]

That was very informative two thumbs up . Ps i had already thought of that oh snap moment coming at the hinged end great solution

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Glad it was helpful! Appreciate the feedback

[@discgolfillustrated2640]

45 degree rail cut…brilliant!

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Glad the information helped..cheers!

[@TheDaf95xf]

Afternoon Jason. That was really interesting video 👍🏻 Looking forward to seeing the next video on the Escarpment layout 😊 I watch a lot of model railway videos mainly U.K. 🇬🇧 based with some Yankee 🇺🇸 ones lol 😆 But yours is so different with it being from Aus 🇦🇺 hehe Keep the good work U.K. cheers Stevie 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi Stevie, it is still going strong and hasn't given me any trouble. Thanks for the comments. The next video could be about making the Walthers 90' motorised Turntable into a fully DCC compliant turntable..cheers

[@l.rod2827]

Good job, Bridge design and build can be tricky. I also had to build a bridge as my layout room is fairly small. I used a tilt up and a linear actuator. I came across so many different challenges but after it was all said and done I was pretty pleased with the finished product. Check out the video... Model RailRoad Bridge Episode 2

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks for the feedback. Many ways to skin a cat, pending each layout needs/restrictions etc. Will do..cheers

[@jeffreeves2456]

Jason, love the layout! Since you have the official golden spike, I can only look forward to your scenery work! If your skills as “not a carpenter” turn out stuff like this, then your scenery should look like it was done by “ not Michaelangelo” did it! 😊😂

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Lol Jeff..thanks for watching..now I need to go and paint some non-scenery..cheers

[@davidcurtis5398]

I have found that the easy way to make sure that the track is aligned I first complete the build and installation of the bridge. Then I lay the trqck in one piece over the bridge and with it soldered to the rest of the track. Then I use a powered cut off wheel to cut the ends of the track where the bridge lifts out. This way there is no alignment problems.

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks for the feedback and sharing the way you approach this project..cheers

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU FOR GREAT VIDEO AS GREAT WATCHING IN IDEAL HOW DONE THAT

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

You are welcome Robert..cheers

[@Chris-BognorRegis]

Hi Jason - Are you by any chance a rocket scientist or a structural engineer? Reason I ask is that I would have simply had a drop down bridge on hinges so no mucking about like you had to with cutting grooves or angled cuts on the rail. I would also have a simple plug in rather than micro switches and the likes LOL. I do like the way it cuts power as a safety aid I must admit, very clever. Fortunately I dont have any type of lift outs or bridges, I have no option and have to climb under as its a loft layout. Sorry mate simple works for me cos I'm stupid. You obviously enjoy what you do and I have no issues with that and it does look really good. Regards Chris

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi Chris, Im sure you are not stupid! I just like certain aesthetics and love working through problem solving type activities, especially on the build side of things. I guess simple to me was having the bridge do the hard work, eg: controlling the power and not needing me to crawl under to power it up etc. As for the cutting the grooves and angled rail cuts..just problem solving again, as I overlooked some important principles of a liftup bridge to begin with lol..cheers

[@larrybaughman618]

🤠👋🚂🗯

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Thanks for watching!