If I see any ballast moving around, I think "No! Stay where you are at! Don't move!"

You're right Kevin. A little clean-up is necessary. So the rock ballast will move around too? I suppose that is good to hear since I have so much Woodland Scenic ballast already.

Gary S Wrote:If I see any ballast moving around, I think "No! Stay where you are at! Don't move!"

You're right Kevin. A little clean-up is necessary. So the rock ballast will move around too? I suppose that is good to hear since I have so much Woodland Scenic ballast already.

Yes, but not at much. If it is fine or has fine particles, those move almost as easily as the crushed walnut shells.

One of the ballasting tricks I've seen used, and had some success with myself, is using Windex as the pre-glue wetting agent. I also use a 50/50 white glue/water mix, and add detergent until the glue flows quickly into the ballast.
The amount of detergent varies mostly with the materials the ballast is made from, so, the need to add it until it quickly soaks in.
The most important part, is thorough ballast saturation. If the glue doesn't completely saturate the ballast, it can leave a layer of unglued ballast that will cause the upper layer to eventually crack and flake off. ( I've seen up to 1/8" thick "flakes" )

I want to thank everyone for their ballasting comments. It all helps!

Now, I am just about done with the "structural" aspects of the bridge, and since this is a structure contest, that means I am about finished! Still have much scenery to do around the bridge, but that will be done much further in the future.

Here is the bridge:

[attachment=22424]

And then I ran some trains across:

First, a B23-7 and a GP38:

[attachment=22423]

[attachment=22422]

[attachment=22421]

[attachment=22420]

And a GP30 and a GP7 from the other direction:

[attachment=22419]

[attachment=22418]

[attachment=22417]

Gary,

After looking at the prototype pics and then of your model,all I can say is that you absolutely have done a truely amazing job of modeling , you have captured the look of the prototype and put it into your model. Again an amazing job.

Bruce

Thank you Bruce. Here is a prototype photo moved from a previous page of this thread. I'm looking forward to doing all the grass and trees and background, but that is a ways off as mentioned. Need to get all the blue foam carved up for the terrain on the entire layout first, to keep the little blue particles out of the greenery.

[attachment=22425]

Gary, that is absolutely stunning! It is hard to tell your model from the prototype … and I am not just talking about the bridge, the whole scene is hyper realistic .

Gary S Wrote:Here is the bridge:

[attachment=22426]

Gary, you've done for modern bridges what Kurt has done for those "shoe box" buildings. Beautiful work.

Wayne

Beautiful Gary

The murky water sure came out well Unfortunately, I can't give you credit for that when judging the contest, as it is not a "structure" :mrgreen:. The bridge and the whole scene looks great, I can't wait to see what it looks like after some background scenery is in place.

Kurt, DocWayne, Mister Nutbar, thanks for the terrific compliments, you guys are definitely giving me more confidence in the modeling skills department.

Kevin, I agree, this is a structure contest, not a diorama contest. It could be that only the bridge/track/ballast itself should count as the structure, but I feel that at the very least, the concrete slabs on the banks are a part of the structure. On that note, the riprap at the edge of the slabs could be considered as part of the manmade structure too. Now, the water isn't necessarily part of the structure, but couldn't it be counted just as a building foundation would be counted? Hmmm... well, considering on the real thing that the water is actually flowing, there is no part of the water that is a permanent part of the foundation! I do appreciate your kind comments!

looks like the real thing Gary as they say down soulth (of here) bello vista.
jim

Thanks Jim! I'm liking the way this turned out, and am excited to start on the next bridge. It is different than this one, it is a refurbished wood trestle, with some concrete beams added.

Kinda like this one Gary

Not really like that, Jim.

On the one I am speaking of, they basically cut all the wood posts off around two feet below track level, then added concrete bent toppers on those, then 4 concrete beams running the length of the bridge. On top of that, they put timbers to make a solid deck, then ballasted ties and rail. I have photod but they are at work. Will start a new thread tomorrow.