| A beautiful feature of many well planned model train | | | | if you choose to spend a bit extra. |
| displays is a large bridge. They can look very involved | | | | If you do choose to build it out of plastic or polystyrene |
| and complex. The truth is that they are easily built and | | | | as it is properly called then you can choose a number |
| just require a bit of planning. Before you can build any | | | | of pre-built structures that are available for hobbyists |
| part of it however you will need to design the bridge | | | | both online and in model railroading magazines. Once |
| you wish to build. You can start by examining existing | | | | you decide what material you will use you should also |
| bridges to get a good idea of how they are designed | | | | consider building a jig to ease the assembly process. A |
| and start coming up with designs of your own. You | | | | jig is used to hold parts in a particular pattern when |
| can find these examples on the Internet, library books, | | | | you are repeating that pattern over and over. As |
| or even by taking pictures of bridges near your home. | | | | trusses definitely fit this description a jig will come in |
| Once you have decided on the general shape that | | | | very handy. |
| your bridge will take you will have to base your | | | | Once you begin building you will notice just how rapidly |
| necessary materials on that. One thing to note is that | | | | it can go. You will quickly get your pattern down and |
| unless you are making a suspension bridge (which are | | | | be able to reproduce several pieces of your bridge in |
| usually unsuitable for trains due to their habit of | | | | a relatively short amount of time. Make certain as you |
| swaying) then you will most likely be creating some | | | | go that your bridge does not "outgrow" the spot it is to |
| sort of bridge that makes heavy use of trusses. | | | | be occupying. Once you have it fully assembled you |
| Trusses are used to cross gaps between other | | | | will be in the home stretch. Your next step will be to |
| supports and gives the overall structure much more | | | | remove any bits of stray material or splinters. Trim and |
| support. | | | | sand it down a bit but make sure that you do not |
| After you know whether you are building a trussed or | | | | remove too much material. |
| a suspension bridge you can begin to gather your | | | | You can then paint your new bridge. Get creative and |
| materials. While true bridges are most commonly | | | | add some weathering effects to it so that it appears |
| constructed from steel this just would not be practical | | | | older than it is. You might also consider adding a road |
| for building models and as such is not a viable option. | | | | or a body of water under your bridge to make it seem |
| You can, however, choose to use wood or plastic to | | | | more in place. You can also add LED lights to it for |
| make your bridge. You can even make it out of brass | | | | even more effect. It is all up to your imagination. |