Some photos of the museum bridge
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timw
Joined: Dec 21, 2011
Topics: 46 Replies: 46
Topics: 46
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I was asked by the Glancy O Gauge Model Railroad Club to make a rendition of the Adrian, Michigan stone arch bridge for their permanent layout at the Detroit Historical Museum. The Adrian, Michigan bridge is a 2 arch bridge, built in 1867, traversing a rather tall but not very wide ravine where it crosses over the River Raisin. Due to club's need for a bridge to cross a wide, but not very tall space, I had to make this bridge 3 arches, rather than 2, and used some artistic license in order to complete the task.
The Detroit Historical Museum is currently undergoing complete renovation, and is currently closed until around Thanksgiving 2012, with the layout is being completely re-designed, and renovated as well. When it does re-open, it will feature an entirely new track plan, and the Adrian Bridge, along with other things that I have volunteered to make for the layout.
Here are some photos of the bridge, as I completed it, prior to installation at the museum:
And here are 2 more once installed, as they continue to re-construct the layout:
I am also building a matching pair of abutments for Hellgate Bridge and the two reddish orange approach bridges to rest on.
Here are some photos of them, as well:
And, some more after painting and installation on the layout:
Here is a photo of the real thing, used with permission:
The museum will re-open on 11-23-12. If in the Detroit area, please visit the museum and layout in person, it is quite a place.
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JohnBoy
Joined: May 14, 2008
Topics: 110 Replies: 517
Topics: 110
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Very nice Tim! Do you have any larger photos? I'm trying to discern what the black lines are radiating over each arch. Are those cables of some kind?
Beautiful work...
John
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timw
Joined: Dec 21, 2011
Topics: 46 Replies: 46
Topics: 46
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Thanks, John, I replaced the photos with larger, as requested.
The items you inquired about are braces, that the railroad engineers added to the bridge many decades ago, in order to keep it together as it aged, and tonnage increased. They are basically railroad ties, with steel rod threaded through from one side of the bridge to the other, in order to lock together the stone on the intrados, extrados, and spandrels. to give the bridge added strength so that it does not eventually self-destruct. If you google "Adrian, Michigan bridge", you can view photos of the actual bridge.
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JohnBoy
Joined: May 14, 2008
Topics: 110 Replies: 517
Topics: 110
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Oh wow, Tim, thanks for the larger photos - these really show off more of your excellent craftsmanship. Thanks also for the explanation - a part of what draws me to the hobby is the education about real-world structures, etc.
Cheers,
John
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