Model Railroading 101 All About Railroad Trestles & Bridges For Beginners MR101

[@apitheous194]

My step-father worked MOPAC for thirty years as a brakeman. In the early eighties he fell off a trestle and nearly died from his injuries.. He was taken to Missouri Pacific Hospital in St. Louis where his face had to be reconstructed including re-attaching his ear among the other internal injuries that he suffered . The surgeons did an amazing job. He recovered and worked several more years until retirement, thanks MOPAC, the first responders, and surgeons.

[@markfrench8892]

Been a model railroader for 59 years now. No matter what video I watch I still pick up on something new. Great video. Thanks!

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

47 Years in the Hobby, and I can still always learn something new!! Thanks Guys! .... I wouldn't call John Allen's Gorre and Daphetid RR "bogus" because it's got a huge Canyon scene with 6 layers of Bridges! John himself admitted that his Layout was mostly tongue in cheek, even though it's considered to be one of the great Masterpieces of the 20th Century. Carmine ✈🚂🚙

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

That photo at 6:09 is of the historic Crooked River bridge spanning over the gorge on the Oregon Trunk. Absolutely spectacular structure and absolutely worth checking out if you're in the area. You can also see the decommissioned highway bridge right behind it, which you can still walk across. It's pretty scary looking straight down from it! I recognize the photo at 7:21 from somewhere else in the area too, but I don't remember exactly where.

[@jacobmorgan7974]

I just watched a 15 minute video on bridges... And it was awesome.

[@surerockco.models3452]

scale model bridges!

[@johnramirez5996]

Also i jus picked up a roco long span girder truss bridge. Don't have big layout just a small double test track for engines i repair and restore. I am going to change it though. Turning the test track into something worthy of seeing other than a test track. And this bridge will be the focal point. Then to blend in the rest. Bridges are amazing structures. And the lives lost creating them is something to be remembered whether real life or modeling. People died to give us these amazing pieces to connect the world together.

[@rcjunction9633]

Great videos. I'm in the process of trying once again to get into this hobby, and these videos are really giving me some education I need. While it's clear that you guys have a good bit of experience in the hobby and railroad industry in general, I find it really helpful with John pipes up with a question or comment from the perspective of a greenhorn like me. It really helps to keep me engaged.

[@robertlucido3686]

I made a couple of ballasted deck bridges on my layout by cutting the sides of my Bachmann EZ track with a dremile tool and using the decks off of an Atlas through-truss bridge kit

[@jamurphy8386]

Dan, that was a great explanation of not only "what" Bridges are... but also WHY Bridges are used in some different situations!! There's too many Modelers out there, who simply think "I've got an 18" gap, I'll buy THIS Bridge for it." Often with NO idea what purpose it's supposed to serve, or why that type would be needed. Sure, some people just don't care. But some people, even if they're not full-on Rivet-Counters, want a scene to look "right". Me and my friend are somewhat in the second category. The Railroad is Freelance and Fictional - but both of us always strive for plausibility! ESPECIALLY Bridges, my friend Carmine's favorite subject. I can't wait till he's able to see this. Thanks! Murph

[@scottfabel7492]

Awesome explanation on trestles! You should go see the Goat Canyon Trestle Bridge, part of the Corrizo Gorge Railroad in So. CA. I've gone their a couple times to check out the trestle bridges and tunnels. The best way is to mountain bike into the area due to the distance. There are many abandoned passenger rail cars near the trestle as well. You can always contact me directly if you have any questions.

[@tp6212]

Nice sample models, prototype examples, and easy-to-follow explanations. Well done!

[@charlesmitchell487]

Great video, yadda yadda. OK - now excellent point about how the little, everyday things really make the layout interesting and impressive to the point where you forget you're looking at a layout for a bit. . Bridges spanning chasms is nice, but once you add a "SPECTACULAR" thing to your layout, getting back to the little, realistic touches (I love that little bridge you show at that point) is tough because that huge bridge becomes the focal point of the entire layout. It's impressive as hell, but everything else takes a back seat. Having said that we're all guilty of it in some form or other. One last thing - when you ask a lot of model railroaders what their favorite part of their layout is, often it's something small that they were trying to achieve and nailed it.

[@Trotters79]

They mention that the shot at 10:51 is from another video, called: Chasing Trains! Episode 2 Feather River Canyon Link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIvac6Z5oq6sjMUm11s

[@voronOsphere]

Thanks! I checked it out!

[@bobczerwinski305]

Tks for the details about bridges...much appreciated. I too learned something. Also, glad you survived taking the video of the valley where 2 bridges crossed each other

[@gerlandkent6377]

[thank, you for you're great video]👍

[@kevinleftridge8241]

you guys are the BEST!

[@SierraRailway]

Future episode: proper handling and transportation of models, suggestions for types/manufacturers of carrying boxes.

[@jamurphy8386]

I second THAT!!

[@johnramirez5996]

Like the mackinac Bridge in Michigan. To cover a 5 mile stretch is a hell of an achievement. But it's vehicle. The think about the bridge they built in the early 1900s like maybe 1902. The bridge that connected Florida to the keys. Taken out by Hurricane not long after constructed.

[@jacko9759]

Good show thanks for the info, I understand more about bridges now and will be putting or at least think more about the on the layout now, thanks again!

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

Bridges are great scents to add to layouts. You can do so many things with the scenery.

[@natejackson8213]

Great video Dan. Nice glasses John! My favorite type of bridges for the railroad are the ones made out of either concrete or steal!

[@danhampson7875]

Thanks guys :) loved it!

[@dollarbillclinton4327]

You guys do a great job, work well with each other,,,,,,,😎

[@vermilionrailfan5651]

liked the video. I actually didnt know the difference between a trestle and a girder bridge

[@rexremedy1733]

i had exactly this arch bridge on my second layout!

[@voronOsphere]

Thanks for doing this! Great video!

[@tsgmultimedia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jean-pierrepodik9638]

Hello! video very instructiv, thanks you.

[@BritanniaPacific]

Yes, suspension bridges can also carry rapid transit trains. Here in New York City, both the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges carry both vehicles and subway trains between Brooklyn and Manhattan. The outer parts of the bridge carry the trains, and the center carries the vehicles. The upper level of the bridges carry just people. I’m not aware of any other suspension bridges that do that. Maybe there’s one in San Francisco.

[@royreynolds108]

Just downstream of Niagra Falls is an arch bridge which replaced a suspension bridge used by the NYC to connect to Canada. Loads got too high for it is why the arch bridge was built. I found a railroad suspension bridge in France on Utube and the line is third rail electrified down close to the border with Spain. The D&RG suspended a through girder span over a narrow part of the Arkansas R. in the Royal Gorge.

[@djstrains]

I'm doing a prototype video on bridges and I'll link this video in my description so that viewers can learn from you.

[@SuperBuildsInMC]

Down at the Indiana/Kentucky border, there was an railroad bridge crossing the river, absolutely massive, its closed now, and has been turned into a pedestrian walk way across the river, kinda interesting.

[@SGTGhost]

Great video Dan and John, I learned a lot from this video

[@markcarey8426]

That was excellent - thanks. My concern is this - have we already invented every type of bridge? The stay bridge is relatively recent but all the others - beam, arch, truss, cantilever and suspension have been around for a long time. No modern bridges are different. This is not about modelling but rather about bridge engineering - can we come up with a new style?

[@WormOfEscence]

Awesome

[@nickbarman4145]

Great video like always very interesting

[@struck2soon]

Great article, very informative. Nice images of the various bridges as well.

[@metalhead_modellerm4804]

Funny and informative, good stuff!

[@mgamga9476]

Unfortunately I live in New York. The Brooklyn Bridge is a suspension bridge that yes, still has trains running across it all day everyday.

[@alderusdmc]

So...when can we expect this future episode about signalling?

[@mgamga9476]

Well unfortunately I live in New York. Don't hate me for that. The Manhattan Bridge is a span bridge that NYC subway goes across. This is another example of a suspension bridge with a railroad going over it. And all day long in both directions.

[@menguardingtheirownwallets6791]

One of the most FUN things to do with a model train set is to use the cardboard from your cereal box to build a bridge. Just take the cardboard, cut it up into strips with a box-cutter knife, and then glue the strips together to create I-beams that the bridge is made up from. Then you paint the finished bridge, and then you install a strip of tracks onto it. Don't use styrene, that's the 'easy' way. No, do it the hard way, use old cardboard. See if you have the skill to do it that way.

[@joesaurina1402]

Thanks guys super job

[@hannahranga]

Love that you added nav lights to the last bridge (~14min).

[@_f4el]

Parabéns estamos aprendendo muito com vocês, trabalhos valiosos que vocês fazem muito bem, obrigado pôr compartilharem, abraços Ângelo Brasil...

[@tsgmultimedia]

Obrigado Angelo. Por favor, compartilhe este conteúdo com seus amigos, se você conhece alguém que possa gostar.

[@johnwakefield3416]

Just fantastic

[@dwightatnorthernstar1820]

Thanks for the info

[@DerekGraham777]

I think ill make my own drawbridge. I could try and make my own miniature hydraulic system for the lifts. I have a full welding shop and alot of free time lol

[@colnagocowboy]

Very nice video

[@gvet47]

Planning a G gauge layout for my back yard but to fit I need a six foot long bridge as the yard is split by a small drainage. I cannot find any dimensional data for a truss bridge this size. How do you find or just stick build something and hope it works?

[@tsgmultimedia]

I'd search Google for something like that. Let us know what you find!

[@JoshTrainsReyesBfmv]

Awesome!

[@ChrisK-LTC]

You could make a series about the different bridge styles and construction last longer than the SD40-2 videos! Nice little intro video to bridges.

[@thos759]

Would like to see a video on how to skew a model bridge Great video tho

[@charlesmitchell487]

I second that!

[@matthewmoser1284]

"6 bridges wouldn't happen in the real world!" *laughs in downtown Cincinnati*

[@TrainMasterNik]

*laughs in 6 likes*

[@JamesWillmus]

I know of a place where three railroad bridges crossed over eachother. You can probably find it on the Internet. Homestake Gold Mining Company, Lead, South Dakota.

[@K4JW]

also the triple crossing in Richmond VA

[@mach37]

I hope I'm not too late with this question, but I have not seen it answered elsewhere: is it okay to have a bridge installed on an incline? I am planning to have one on a 2% or 3% grade, and wonder if that is a no-no. All the examples I have seen in the real world are level.

[@tsgmultimedia]

I'm sure there are bridges out in the world that are on a grade. 3% might be pretty steep for a mainline though, depending what you're modeling.

[@alpal.mp4]

Episode idea: trackside structures ex: depots, switch towers

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

Those who don't understand standards are the same people who complain that their trains don't stay on the tracks or their cars always come uncoupled when they're operating their layouts!

[@tsgmultimedia]

It seems that there are "experts" out there who think they are experts simply because they have spent what they think is a lot of money buying stuff but never learned about standards or the finer aspects of operation.

[@rdarchitect]

Just follow NMRA standard, and you good to go

[@AndyCrawford_NorfolkWestern]

Farid Arsitek That’s a good start. I defend and support the NMRA and despite the popular position to critique them, and I can do that too, there’s always room to improve, but I see the value and need of them. I would recommend tearing the NMRA standards as the lowest common denominator or a good start. I think you can do much better, and I don’t favor the RP-25 wheel standard for example. But if you meet the NMRA standard you should have acceptable performance if there is a trade off in cosmetics. If you want to improve the look, then you must adhere to much less tolerant standards. For example, I build to the Proto:87 standard, and it’s picky but worth it if you can build your trackwork to those specific tolerances.

[@robertsandling3078]

have uou ever seen the switch-backs and tunnels near hwy .58 east of Bakersfield CA.. ??

[@tsgmultimedia]

That's the Mojave Sub and it's modeled at the LaMesa Model Railroad Club. We also chased trains down there on an episode of Chasing Trains! from 2017.

[@steevorific]

Y'all mention Niles Canyon. Are you referring to the canyon in Ca between Pleasanton & Fremont?

[@tsgmultimedia]

www.google.com/maps/search/niles+canyon/@37.5847052,-122.0058989,12z/data=!3m1!4b1

[@kunalchangoiwala7474]

What camcorder/ camera you use to shoot these episodes ? The quality of these videos is just perfect.

[@tsgmultimedia]

That has more to do with the lighting than the camera :D

[@kunalchangoiwala7474]

TSG Multimedia Thats true ! But please could you please share the camera model no ? Thanks.

[@tsgmultimedia]

Oh yes sorry I forgot that part of the answer. This was shot on a Canon XA10 with a little help from my iPhone 6.

[@kunalchangoiwala7474]

Now this is what I Love the most about your channel.. Great Content + Friendly Interaction BTW, I had a bit strange request.. Actually I wanted to scratch build a locomotive for Indian Railways (Since there are no manufacturers for it). Could you please make a video/provide me with some resources/links/instructions on how to Scratch build a locomotive (DC or DCC) ? It would be a great Help to me! Thanks..

[@tsgmultimedia]

Hi Kunal, that sounds like it could be very interesting. Maybe sometime in the future. Do you know of any Indian rail fan-modelers in the San Francisco Bay Area who can do that?

[@thomaso5176]

Can you explain why some bridges are a combination. Why do they use a girder then a truss then another girder? Thanks, great show as always.

[@tsgmultimedia]

I think Dan kind of covered this when he mentioned that the situation defines the bridge used. It probably depends entirely on the engineer(s) making the decision.

[@rickbecker3277]

A possible situation is to allow water traffic underneath at the deepest part of the water. So use a truss over that part, the rest girder where clearance isnt a concern. If over a depression or small valley, girder type is better upholding weight at short distances, and a truss for a longer distance. And money. Modelers like seeing two truss bridges used to cover a span, but the railroad might use a girder and truss to save a few bucks. Its wild how the circumstances decide what type is used. So just an idea or two as to what might shape those circumstances. Have fun!

[@wallacewood2126]

Diversity mandates put in place by liberals. Same reason every 13th concrete tie must be dyed black.

[@War1109]

My local excursion railroad has the only operational offset truss bridge

[@alderusdmc]

"Rare to have turnouts on bridges." Have you never been to the loop in Chicago?

[@glassyuri_]

Suspension bridges that carry rail traffic are rare because they are ridiculously elastic compared to other bridge types. There is video footage of test runs carried out by the Japanese Railway Technical Research Institute with a thousand metric ton train before the opening of the Great Seto Bridge, and it's almost unbelievable: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f56kYZmeg5qorrcm15s

[@tsgmultimedia]

That was crazy!

[@pikadroo]

What would you call a bridge made up from railroad ties and rope. Many of those in Chicago area. LOL

[@matthewjlee101]

Yinz never been to Pittsburgh I take it..

[@alpteknbaser7773]

🙏👏

[@bufordhart730]

Any future shows about signaling ?

[@sharkheadism]

What do you want to know

[@bufordhart730]

Like the best placement of them

[@J3scribe]

LOL @ John.

[@willparsons32]

You guys remind me of MARTHA STEWART!! lol!!

[@BillSaltbush]

10 seconds of the heavy metal and I was off.

[@tsgmultimedia]

What heavy metal?

[@BillSaltbush]

@@tsgmultimedia Ha ha ha! Whatever it was . . . it was a little too much for me. I actually enjoy a little AC/DC at the right time and in the right place. But please, not with this sort of presentation . . .

[@tsgmultimedia]

@@BillSaltbush Ohhh that jingle at the start. I wasn't sure what you meant! :))

[@titodalessandro1909]

I like your videos, but the beginning of all your shows suck bad! Take up too much time!

[@tsgmultimedia]

Push the "L" key on your keyboard next time. It skips ahead 10 seconds.