Train sets!

First topic message reminder :

that is a matter of discretion, but so far it's been my old house, my current job, and my trains

What did you have in mind then?

Something like this?


that is the only other kind of Drop bridge I can think of.

here are some examples of a model railroad drop bridge



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Ah that video explained it all thanks! So how are you guys going to make one?

Our plan hasn't passed the discussion stage at present, but something will be worked out soon

That is a very interesting concept! It is not something you ordinarily buy, but something you build from scratch! Very unique and interesting! Finally something that is a do-it-yourself type thing not Let-me-buy-it-at-the-store type thing.

we are building our own drop bridge, but there is a lot of tech issues with it, so we are still working that out, and yes, that pic is an HO scale 89' flat car, but it is not the style i am using, because i am using ones that can carry either trailers, or containers, and are known as "All purpose" flat cars

Well everything will have tech issues when it is new.

Yes, a drop bridge is something that a person has to build themselves as no two model train layouts are exactly the same.

1mtvfan wrote:we are building our own drop bridge, but there is a lot of tech issues with it, so we are still working that out, and yes, that pic is an HO scale 89' flat car, but it is not the style i am using, because i am using ones that can carry either trailers, or containers, and are known as "All purpose" flat cars

bgradio wrote:Well everything will have tech issues when it is new.

Which is always cool!

So what kind of tech issues preciselly are you guys encountering?

well, leveling and how exactly to secure the drop bridge in place when it is raised for operating sessions

The cement floor of the basement that is underneath our model train setup is always shifting with the seasons and the layout joints are constantly contracting and expanding as well. Unfortunately I can't remember any more tech issues that we're having at the moment, but what I've mentioned are two of the major ones.

yes, we have to constantly add or remove shims as the temperature changes, it's a pain, but there's little more we can do

So how will you build it so it's a permanent thing?

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I know your's is the completely flat one, however, the one I posted was the closest and only (as well as the best one) that had no trademarks or watermarks on it. I did want to run the risk of posting any copyrighted materials is all. Better safe then sorry with Google Images.

i have to just build it into the set up and leave it, that's all, and my 89 foot flats are both flat and flat with trailer hitches, but the one with trailer hitches is styled in a way that allows it to carry both trailers, and containers in the real time, but in models, it is either one or the other. unless you set it up for one trailer, and one container. and yes, you are right to be careful with copyrights, although you are not using the image for any type of monetary gain.

That is very interesting [Only mods are allowed to see this link]

Indeed it is

2nd level is 3 quarters complete, will take a video of it when it's complete, but as it is planned to end with a helix,  i will not be able to fit my gopro though it. ut i will fill as much of it as i can before reaching the helix down

Wow! This is a helix?

yes, that's a helix, but mine will not be as elaborate

Wow! What on earth is THAT used for! That looks wickedly complicated!

it's basically a climbing loop, allowing a train to gain or lose height without going anywhere

Like an elevator?

kind of, but an elevator can only move one or two parts of the train at a time, where as a helix can move the whole train all at once

A model railroad helix is not a complicated thing actually, I've seen prefabricated versions for almost all of the model train scales in model railroading magazines and online.

we are building our own, but the gap on levels is too small for my go pro to fit through so you guys won't get to see how the helix works, unless i figure out something somehow