What a great and simple answer to all the issues that arise from needing a bridge to get under or over.. this is soo simple why do others not do this I wonder..... hmmm I will definitly think about working something like this into my new layout design.
My previous Lionel layout I had the main line going down a hill into a lot of switches in a curve then there was a walkway to cross to get to the yard with a loop around it. Initially I had a bridge with heavy hinges and the section would swing up and be held with bolt latches. But it was very heavy. I removed it and the hinges started over with the thinnest cedar plywood I could find at Menards which I cut to shape then screwed down the Lionel 027 track. Then I attached two aluminum L angle pieces to the bottom then two hardware pull handles. It was strong enough and it was incredibly light. I don’t remember if I posted a video of it before I took it apart. I built a new layout in a different room beginning in 2018 or 2019.
Thank you for this. I am currently planning and building a layout that will have to have something like this. I have never seen this approach before but it looks like one to try with my layout.
That has just given me a solution to my duck-under, not just what you have done, but a combination of a flap and a swing part to allow the scenery to come up to the already in place rail track. i'll do a video soon!! Hoping it will work!
Treating this like a door would be a good way to handle it. A couple of hinges to really stabilize it, a solid base to act as structural support, and a visual barrier to remind you that it is in place so you don't walk through your bridge otherwise. A good spot to put your railroad's herald / logo on the lower portion. I'll be needing to do something similar. Note that by having this at an angle, you avoid the compression issue of hinge placement, so your rails will always align perfectly if you have stops in place.
Fantastic idea! After many years of duck unders I am now at that age of, "if your stuck beyond the D.U. FORGET YOU." However, your idea got me to thinking of a slight change. And change on my worst D.U. I started with your 2x4 and beefed it up to a shelf. Then on the roadbed side of the menace I but a heavier than usual piano hinge that was useless in the shop. That's when I went freaky. All of my rolling stock have "QR" stamps on their under carriage. My #1 stock yard has two "QR" readers from some old junk cellphones. So when a car is dropped, or is moved to be made up, it has to pass over these ex-lenses. But now I've refocused (not yet fully moved) my main yard to this former LAND OF MISFIT TRAINS. and when they enter the yard from the main line they pass over the readers and signal the Station Masters Desktop. When they exit the yard, via your swing arm bridge idea another QR reader logs those boxes out. GLORIA! Thanks for a GREAT SOLUTION.
had swing outs of that sort of thing at one time but ended up with 3 types of lift bridges on my 027 set. Do know how much of a pain it is but the looks I find out ways the pain. You can see my videos on kendra trains bridges to see them.
Very good idea. I'm in the process of designing a 2' * 8' shelf layout with an extension for staging. This would allow me to store it against the layout when not in use. Thanks.
Luckily I’m still relatively young. I absolutely have to deal with a duck-under for my layout. Wife gave me the smallest room and I wanted at least 1 reverse loop. The next layout in the next house will be the dream layout anyway…
My layout is bi level. 2 tracks on the lower and 2 above (my Chicago El). So your feature would not work. I have a couple pop up's on my layout which are 2 feet plus or so into the center, so again your feature wouldn't work. Now I am getting older and knees and back don't work as well so I found an old secretary chair that I set at the lowest level and removed the back of it. So I can sit on it lower my head a bit and I can scoot in and out quite easily.
I don't understand, every railroad has prototype bridges that have to work every single time. Why not use the same ideas. I'm also surprised no one uses guide rails.
Nice job with that duck-under solution... I browsed and subscribed, love the snow scenes... If you have a sec. I hope you can take a peek at my club O Scale, two-rail, videos... Just go to the popular videos tab on my home page... (large and detailed layout) Real train content also, mainly, NS, UP, CSX and NJ Transit... Thanks so much, Moses...
What a great and simple answer to all the issues that arise from needing a bridge to get under or over.. this is soo simple why do others not do this I wonder..... hmmm I will definitly think about working something like this into my new layout design.
My previous Lionel layout I had the main line going down a hill into a lot of switches in a curve then there was a walkway to cross to get to the yard with a loop around it. Initially I had a bridge with heavy hinges and the section would swing up and be held with bolt latches. But it was very heavy. I removed it and the hinges started over with the thinnest cedar plywood I could find at Menards which I cut to shape then screwed down the Lionel 027 track. Then I attached two aluminum L angle pieces to the bottom then two hardware pull handles. It was strong enough and it was incredibly light. I don’t remember if I posted a video of it before I took it apart. I built a new layout in a different room beginning in 2018 or 2019.
Thank you for this. I am currently planning and building a layout that will have to have something like this. I have never seen this approach before but it looks like one to try with my layout.
Fantastic. I couldn't do a duck-under anymore myself without a sturdy table for help.
That has just given me a solution to my duck-under, not just what you have done, but a combination of a flap and a swing part to allow the scenery to come up to the already in place rail track. i'll do a video soon!! Hoping it will work!
This method is definitely better than a lift-up bridge. Good job 👍
Would have liked to see construction of screw/hinge
Good quality video !
Treating this like a door would be a good way to handle it. A couple of hinges to really stabilize it, a solid base to act as structural support, and a visual barrier to remind you that it is in place so you don't walk through your bridge otherwise. A good spot to put your railroad's herald / logo on the lower portion. I'll be needing to do something similar. Note that by having this at an angle, you avoid the compression issue of hinge placement, so your rails will always align perfectly if you have stops in place.
Excellent idea. You could also make it into an iron girder bridge.
Fantastic idea! After many years of duck unders I am now at that age of, "if your stuck beyond the D.U. FORGET YOU." However, your idea got me to thinking of a slight change. And change on my worst D.U.
I started with your 2x4 and beefed it up to a shelf. Then on the roadbed side of the menace I but a heavier than usual piano hinge that was useless in the shop. That's when I went freaky.
All of my rolling stock have "QR" stamps on their under carriage. My #1 stock yard has two "QR" readers from some old junk cellphones. So when a car is dropped, or is moved to be made up, it has to pass over these ex-lenses.
But now I've refocused (not yet fully moved) my main yard to this former LAND OF MISFIT TRAINS. and when they enter the yard from the main line they pass over the readers and signal the Station Masters Desktop. When they exit the yard, via your swing arm bridge idea another QR reader logs those boxes out. GLORIA! Thanks for a GREAT SOLUTION.
Great idea to save the old knees
How wide is the opening when you raise a bascule bridge in HO ?
Does anyone know the answer. I don't have one yet
Very nice idea... I might modify it a bit but basically it is a good design.
Thanks for taking the time to share your approach. This seems really simple and low cost! Wonderful. I’ve been planning such a bridge. 😃
Very Nice and simple....Thank You!
had swing outs of that sort of thing at one time but ended up with 3 types of lift bridges on my 027 set. Do know how much of a pain it is but the looks I find out ways the pain. You can see my videos on kendra trains bridges to see them.
Nice layout
Good idea. Well done.
Very good idea. I'm in the process of designing a 2' * 8' shelf layout with an extension for staging. This would allow me to store it against the layout when not in use. Thanks.
Luckily I’m still relatively young. I absolutely have to deal with a duck-under for my layout. Wife gave me the smallest room and I wanted at least 1 reverse loop. The next layout in the next house will be the dream layout anyway…
Very good video and system 👍
great idea
My layout is bi level. 2 tracks on the lower and 2 above (my Chicago El). So your feature would not work. I have a couple pop up's on my layout which are 2 feet plus or so into the center, so again your feature wouldn't work. Now I am getting older and knees and back don't work as well so I found an old secretary chair that I set at the lowest level and removed the back of it. So I can sit on it lower my head a bit and I can scoot in and out quite easily.
AWESOME!!!!! Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.
Thank you so much! Now, do we have plans to give out lol!
a great idea
Excellent Video, Thanks for the Idea.
Nice job...
Id reccomend using real hinges. Cos that screw is gunna wear the wood away REAL fast.
Can you show the turntable and the control please?
Very smart.
Why can a bascule bridge be installed instead on ho or larger scales?
I don't understand, every railroad has prototype bridges that have to work every single time. Why not use the same ideas. I'm also surprised no one uses guide rails.
Very good idea!! Thank u for sharing!
Todd Knoll I
Great idea.. thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.. Lance
A great Idea almost a swing bridge.
Excellent clue!
Nice lay out. Jack PS You need SHORT operators.
"SHORT operators"! Pretty funny! Honestly, it makes me miss my girls even more (if that's possible). We just took our "baby" to college... [sigh]
the best good idea
Great idea
Nice glacier line.checkout my Goldmine line
Instead of making the swing bridge like a slant, make the ends that disconnect a curve so it just glides into place .... ((
Nice job with that duck-under solution... I browsed and subscribed, love the snow scenes... If you have a sec. I hope
you can take a peek at my club O Scale, two-rail, videos... Just go to the popular videos tab on my home page...
(large and detailed layout) Real train content also, mainly, NS, UP, CSX and NJ Transit... Thanks so much, Moses...
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE GLACIER LINE CHANNEL