FOR SHELVES OR THE BRIDGE

  By Rex Ploederer

This idea comes to us compliments of Dave Kooken of Vancouver, WA.  During a recent visit to his railroad, Dave challenged me to figure out the material used for his bridge (see Photo 1).  The first guess was an Erector Set.  “No, I tried that but they are too expensive” was Dave’s reply.  His solution is common and inexpensive .  He used the channels that support shelf brackets (see Photo 2).

This material is readily available at any home improvement and most hardware stores.  In fact, many different types can be found from store to store.  Looking around can reward you with the exact style, thickness, width, and material that suits your needs.  For instance, one local store carries channels with double slots over an inch wide and 5/8” deep.  A home improvement chain has a style that is only ½” wide x 1’16” deep.  Some hardware stores carry perforated metal sections that can be used as well.

Construction was fairly straightforward.  Dave cut material out of the sides before bending the channels to the angle desired (see Photo 3).  A hacksaw, bench grinder, scroll saw, rotary tool with a reinforced cutting wheel, or your favorite steel cutting tool can be used to cut the material.  Pieces are joined with sheet metal screws and/or pop rivets.  Very few holes must be drilled because, with few exceptions, the numerous slots and holes manufactured into the channels will line up and can be used to join pieces.

Dave says he did not fasten the track to the bridge or the bridge to the ground because of different expansion rates between the steel bridge and aluminum track.  He also cautions to consider the track height and add this to the standard tunnel clearance height when constructing a bridge with overhead spans (see Photo 4).  Because it is steel, don’t forget to finish the bridge with your favorite paint to keep it from rusting.

Using Dave’s idea, you can easily build a realistic looking, strong, and durable steel bridge for a fraction of the cost of many of the steel bridges produced for our hobby.