What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
Updated 9/13/2014:
I have spent the last 3 days playing with the dimensions of the bridge piers. They won't end up 1:48 because the bridge is just too darn big, but they will be proportional to the structure. That's my thinking right now. Here are a few photos and my drawings.
This photo is taken from the Ohio side of the river. Upstream is to the left; downstream to the right. Interestingly enough, there are no debris deflectors on the bridge.
Here's a closer view of the top of the pier. Each of the "rings" in the pier are 3' high and made of poured concrete. You can get a decent look at the leftmost bridge foot.
This is a closer view of the south end of the pier. You can see the handrails pretty clearly. I caught the navigational warning beacon flashing red. The Ohio River sees a significant amount of tow boat / barge traffic.
This is the drawing for the bridge pier.
I will use it to make a pink foam "positive" of half of the pier (split lengthwise down the middle). The foam will get sealed with joint compound, sanded, and lines for the rings will be scribed. Then a mold will be made. Pier halves will be cast. A groove to hold the wires for the slow flashing red LED lights will be cut. The halves will be then be glued together to form completed piers. A sand color concrete paint will be used. The piers are surprisingly complicated.
George
I have spent the last 3 days playing with the dimensions of the bridge piers. They won't end up 1:48 because the bridge is just too darn big, but they will be proportional to the structure. That's my thinking right now. Here are a few photos and my drawings.
This photo is taken from the Ohio side of the river. Upstream is to the left; downstream to the right. Interestingly enough, there are no debris deflectors on the bridge.
Here's a closer view of the top of the pier. Each of the "rings" in the pier are 3' high and made of poured concrete. You can get a decent look at the leftmost bridge foot.
This is a closer view of the south end of the pier. You can see the handrails pretty clearly. I caught the navigational warning beacon flashing red. The Ohio River sees a significant amount of tow boat / barge traffic.
This is the drawing for the bridge pier.
I will use it to make a pink foam "positive" of half of the pier (split lengthwise down the middle). The foam will get sealed with joint compound, sanded, and lines for the rings will be scribed. Then a mold will be made. Pier halves will be cast. A groove to hold the wires for the slow flashing red LED lights will be cut. The halves will be then be glued together to form completed piers. A sand color concrete paint will be used. The piers are surprisingly complicated.
George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."
—Katy Faust
—Katy Faust
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
George,
The pier dimensions are for O gauge, right?
Is it a double track bridge?
The pier dimensions are for O gauge, right?
Is it a double track bridge?
roger
I support thread drift.
If God didn't want women to be looked at, He would have made 'em ugly. RAH
I support thread drift.
If God didn't want women to be looked at, He would have made 'em ugly. RAH
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
rogruth wrote:George,
The pier dimensions are for O gauge, right?
Is it a double track bridge?
Roger,
Yes, the pier dimensions are actually about 75% of O gauge. And it is a double-track bridge.
Here's my fuzzy math.
George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."
—Katy Faust
—Katy Faust
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
George, do some curve fitting and inverse your math by putting HO nude sun bathers at the base of the piers. They will make the piers appear 133% larger than they really are.
John Long
One nation under Josh with ozone an magnetraction for all
One nation under Josh with ozone an magnetraction for all
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
jlong wrote:George, do some curve fitting and inverse your math by putting HO nude sun bathers at the base of the piers. They will make the piers appear 133% larger than they really are.
John, you are awesome!
George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."
—Katy Faust
—Katy Faust
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
Updated 10/6/2014:
There are two updates today. First the big one: my father is 98 today.
Second, I received another progress photo for the PRR bridge. The builder is experimenting with a a walkway along the top of the structure (as in the prototype).
As usual, your thoughts are always welcome.
George
There are two updates today. First the big one: my father is 98 today.
Second, I received another progress photo for the PRR bridge. The builder is experimenting with a a walkway along the top of the structure (as in the prototype).
As usual, your thoughts are always welcome.
George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."
—Katy Faust
—Katy Faust
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
George, looking good. Especially the lattice work. The bridge should be the centerpiece of your layout. Well....second to the nudie scene of course.

John Long
One nation under Josh with ozone an magnetraction for all
One nation under Josh with ozone an magnetraction for all
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
jlong wrote:George, looking good. Especially the lattice work. The bridge should be the centerpiece of your layout. Well....second to the nudie scene of course.
![]()
![]()
Naturally. Actually, I expect it to be 3rd or 4th, behind the other nudie scenes.
George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."
—Katy Faust
—Katy Faust
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
George,
I have seen the real bridge many times and did not know that there is a walkway on top.
I have seen the real bridge many times and did not know that there is a walkway on top.
roger
I support thread drift.
If God didn't want women to be looked at, He would have made 'em ugly. RAH
I support thread drift.
If God didn't want women to be looked at, He would have made 'em ugly. RAH
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
George,
Pass along congrats to your Dad. Ninety-eight in the books...that's quite an achievement.
Healey
P.S. The bridge looks great too.
Pass along congrats to your Dad. Ninety-eight in the books...that's quite an achievement.
Healey
P.S. The bridge looks great too.
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
rogruth wrote:George,
I have seen the real bridge many times and did not know that there is a walkway on top.
Yes, not for the faint of heart though, is it?
This shot is from April of this year.
Especially now that the handrails are coming off. (That's what I think is the silver cable-like thing hanging down)
George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."
—Katy Faust
—Katy Faust
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
healey36 wrote:George,
Pass along congrats to your Dad. Ninety-eight in the books...that's quite an achievement.
Healey
P.S. The bridge looks great too.
Thanks Healey! Not too bad for a diabetic, either. A testament to clean living, discipline, and faith.
George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."
—Katy Faust
—Katy Faust
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J. S. Bach
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Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
G3750 wrote:(That's what I think is the silver cable-like thing hanging down)
George
That is part of guy wire on a pole:
http://www.bikexprt.com/massfacil/capecod/images/8505N10R03Old%20Stage%20corner.jpg
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
J. S. Bach wrote:G3750 wrote:(That's what I think is the silver cable-like thing hanging down)
George
That is part of guy wire on a pole:
http://www.bikexprt.com/massfacil/capecod/images/8505N10R03Old%20Stage%20corner.jpg
Come to think of it, it is a guy wire. I do have a photo (somewhere) of the railing hanging down. I hope I can find it. This next photo is not the one I was thinking of, but it does show the railing coming off. Here it is.
George
What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."
—Katy Faust
—Katy Faust
Re: What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?
Updated 10/9/2014:
You know how one thing leads to another?
Yeah, me too. I have a couple of updates here.
First, I am working on roughing out half a bridge pier. Here's the rough version being test fit in place.
Second, I have started discussions with an artist friend of mine about the construction of a backdrop. Before the bridge is put in its final position, it is important to put a backdrop screen. The black horizontal line is the screen. It shields the hidden passing siding.
The screen must extend above the track level of the hidden passing siding, clear the sides and tops of cars, and then bend towards the wall. Here's a postcard of the area being portrayed.
George
You know how one thing leads to another?
First, I am working on roughing out half a bridge pier. Here's the rough version being test fit in place.
Second, I have started discussions with an artist friend of mine about the construction of a backdrop. Before the bridge is put in its final position, it is important to put a backdrop screen. The black horizontal line is the screen. It shields the hidden passing siding.
The screen must extend above the track level of the hidden passing siding, clear the sides and tops of cars, and then bend towards the wall. Here's a postcard of the area being portrayed.
George
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What is a 'Conservative'? "Someone who wants society and policy to recognize objective reality- economic, biological, and historical."
—Katy Faust
—Katy Faust
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