11-17-2009, 08:37 PM
This is exactly the type of discussion I was hoping to get going here.
One thing I think we all need to remember is that on the model, right below the decking there will be 1/8ths craft plywood. So I won't be modeling stringers under each rail. (Thank goodness!!! ...although that does sound like fun...
hock: ). However it is good know what engineering would be required to build such a structure when tackling something like this.
That said, the input regarding the size and spacing of the trestles/piles I think is more critical here, considering that is what the casual viewer and fellow modeler is going to see plus the decking on top of the pier. Like I said, I can see some thing like 12 - 16 foot spans given what size of the lumber was used in construction.
I found three different sizes of hardwood dowels at the local Home Depot.
1/8" = 12 or 1 ft in HO scale. <---- good for utility poles.
1/4" = 24 or 2 ft in HO scale.
5/16" = 36 or 2 1/2 ft in HO scale.
I took a picture for comparison purposes next to the the 2-8-0 I have to show the size relative to the loco.
![[Image: DSC03398.jpg]](http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee118/tetters73/DSC03398.jpg)
My eye tells me that the 2 1/2 foot dowel looks too big. However I think this might be the size that I am looking for if I want a bullet proof looking structure. At spans of 12' scale feet I think would be more then adequate in order to build a pier that looks believable and able to support the "weight" of the locos and freight. Once cross braced and combined with the overall look of the other trestles, this will look good.
Another thing I should also mention is the height of the pier...for all intents and purposes, the pier at 1:1 scale will sit about 2 1/2" high in order to meet up with the yard tracks which is about 18 scale feet (?). Also in the real world, the piles could drop another 10, 15 or even 20 feet below the water line. Especially as the pier moves further away from the shore. So I think the thicker and beefer the pile would be the way to go with out resorting to piles that look like fat stubby stumps.
Keep the comments coming. I am really enjoying where this is going.
One thing I think we all need to remember is that on the model, right below the decking there will be 1/8ths craft plywood. So I won't be modeling stringers under each rail. (Thank goodness!!! ...although that does sound like fun...
hock: ). However it is good know what engineering would be required to build such a structure when tackling something like this. That said, the input regarding the size and spacing of the trestles/piles I think is more critical here, considering that is what the casual viewer and fellow modeler is going to see plus the decking on top of the pier. Like I said, I can see some thing like 12 - 16 foot spans given what size of the lumber was used in construction.
I found three different sizes of hardwood dowels at the local Home Depot.
1/8" = 12 or 1 ft in HO scale. <---- good for utility poles.
1/4" = 24 or 2 ft in HO scale.
5/16" = 36 or 2 1/2 ft in HO scale.
I took a picture for comparison purposes next to the the 2-8-0 I have to show the size relative to the loco.
My eye tells me that the 2 1/2 foot dowel looks too big. However I think this might be the size that I am looking for if I want a bullet proof looking structure. At spans of 12' scale feet I think would be more then adequate in order to build a pier that looks believable and able to support the "weight" of the locos and freight. Once cross braced and combined with the overall look of the other trestles, this will look good.
Another thing I should also mention is the height of the pier...for all intents and purposes, the pier at 1:1 scale will sit about 2 1/2" high in order to meet up with the yard tracks which is about 18 scale feet (?). Also in the real world, the piles could drop another 10, 15 or even 20 feet below the water line. Especially as the pier moves further away from the shore. So I think the thicker and beefer the pile would be the way to go with out resorting to piles that look like fat stubby stumps.
Keep the comments coming. I am really enjoying where this is going.