Flatcar bridges

[Pitchwife]

I was surfing around and came across this site that used old flatcars for bridges. I was wondering if anyone else has seen or modeled anything like this.

 

[liven_letdie]

I have seen many of those in California. They are usually crossing small creeks and such. I have only known one person to model it though. Its hard to tell its a flat car bridge in HO scale.

 

[MadHatter]

I don't, but interesting stuff!

 

[Jim Krause]

We have one near us, crossing an irrigation canal. It's used as a vehicle bridge by a local rancher.

 

[Uintah Dave]

I've seen lots of flatcars as bridges. Usually over small creeks or washes. I don't think I've ever seen it modeled though, might be an interesting idea.

Dave

 

[Torpedo]

It seems to be a regional thing. As liven_letdie said, there are lots of them in California, but I've never seen any around here, and there are two things we have plenty of, creeks and railroads. Local practice and custom, I guess. Maybe the western roads are more ameniable to giving away or selling old rolling stock to private parties.

 

[CCT70]

There is a company that I buy old parts from here in Northern California that specializes in turning old flat cars into bridges. It's actually more popular than you might think.

 

[eightyeightfan1]

Here's a link:http://www.pacificrailservices.com/flatcar_railroad_bridges.html

 

[CCT70]

There was a major bridge on I-5 in Southern California that washed out, and Cal-Trans bought several retired flat cars and made bridges out of them, and encased them in concrete to make them permanent.

 

[CCT70]

This the company that I buy parts from. They make a good business out of flat car bridges: http://www.jimdobbasinc.com/materials.htm#bridges

 

[chooch.42]

They're used here in Pa., have seen 'em near Punxsutawney,(B&PRR) and near NS (ex-CR) Conemaugh Line. One man's trash is another's bridge.

 

[oldtanker]

Sounds like a win win situation. The railroad gets more that scrap price for old flats. The companies doing the bridges can offer bridges at a lower cost than new built and the buyer can save a bundle over the cost of new construction.

Thanks for sharing that!


Rick

 

[bigsteel]

the only thing close to that that i've seen is a couple boxcars used as a shed/small garage.he repainted to the C&O colors unfortunatley I had no camera!it was pretty cool though!same with the idea of using old RR equipment for good use not just scrap metal.--josh