Scale Segmental Bridge Co.
T-Girder Type 2 Concrete Bridge

Scale Segmental Bridge Co.
P.O. Box 34433
North Kansas City, MO 64116
www.scalebridge.com

HO Scale

Easy to Assemble Modern Concrete
Railroad Bridges
MSRP $30.00 Kit / $90.00 Assembled

Available Types:
· T Girder Type 1 with Steel Pilings
· T Girder Type 2 with Concrete Pilings - Reviewed
· Box Girder

Railroad bridging has always been one of the most important components of right of way construction. Initially, wood then metal bridges were used to span obstacles. These were usually constructed on site and were both expensive and time consuming to build. In the 1970s the railroad industry began adopting pre-stressed reinforced concrete cast bridges on their right of ways.

The advantages of this type of bridging are many. Concrete is impervious to insect damage and rot while at the same time being free from the effects of rust and corrosion. Once installed the structure proves to be relatively maintenance free. In addition to these benefits the components can be cast off-site by a contractor and then delivered to the building site. There the bridge is quickly assembled like a large kit. Usually the only components that are poured on site are the concrete footings and pilings.

The Scale Segmental Bridge Co. fills an important niche in modern image modeling with the release of their new kits.

The kit consists of cleanly cast, flash free, Hydrocal castings; a softwood ballast deck and brass alignment pins to join the bridge pilings to the support pedestal castings. In addition a very good set of instructions are provided that covers the bridge construction, as well as painting and weathering tips. The assembled bridge has an overall span measuring 10 7/8" and a height of 2 ¾". Each individual T-girder section measures 3 ¼" long. The addition or subtraction of span girders, pedestals and pilings will allow you to bridge any chasm that might be found on your layout. This can be accomplished either by the purchase of additional kits or individual castings purchased directly from the Scale Segmental Bridge Co. (www.scalebridge.com).

Interestingly, this model builds exactly like the prototype. This reviewer suggests that each plaster casting be painted (stained) and allowed to completely dry prior to assembly. Bear in mind that all of the plaster components are very brittle and should be handled carefully. In addition you will want to narrow the wooden ballast deck by about 1/32" and seal it with either sanding sealer or clear lacquer. This will prevent the deck from swelling and possibly cracking the castings when ballast is glued down. After sealing, the wooden deck was sprayed with Flex-Stone texture paint that matched the ballast color being used. While all of the kit components are drying, a cradle was constructed from scrap plywood and 2" x 4" lumber. This protects the bridge as it is being assembled.

Carpenter's yellow wood glue was used exclusively for the assembly. The entire kit was assembled in less than three hours and allowed to dry overnight before track and ballast were added. The resulting structure credibly represents current concrete bridge construction in addition to being extremely strong and robust.

The Scale Segmental Bridge Company is a new manufacturer in the model railroad industry and should be applauded for offering such a well done product out of the gate. Anyone modeling the modern era should strongly consider adding one of these bridges to their layout. - Chuck Hladik