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How to Build an O Gauge Model Railroad Bridge

Just as for the real trains, O gauge trains must cross over land features that contribute to a terrain with added dimension. A bridge is the practical means of crossing rivers, highways and deep gorges. Various hobby manufacturers offer bridges to fulfill these needs, yet installing one of these can mean that you'll see that exact same bridge when you visit your friend's model railroad. If you build an O gauge model railroad bridge from scratch, you add dimension to your layout without the risk of the unintended consequences of ubiquity.

Things You'll Need

Scale drawings for bridge
O scale ruler
Scale lumber or styrene structural materials
Cement
Razor saw and miter box
Hobby knife
Paint of wood stain

Instructions

- 1
  Measure out the members for the bridge. Use the O scale rule to transfer the dimensions specified on the drawing and mark out those lengths on the appropriate scale lumber or styrene structural material. Either use the hobby knife or a pencil to mark where you will need to cut.
- 2
  Cut the material to length. Place the material to be cut in the miter box and use the razor saw to cut on the side of the line that is on the waste side of the material. If necessary, you can use the hobby knife to clean up the cut.
- 3
  Assemble the structural members. Place the members of various sides together and permanently bond them with the cement. Build the bridge in sections. The deck should be made separately while the truss members are made separately and then joined to the deck.
- 4
  Make the bridge look realistic. Use either paint or wood stain to give the bridge more realism. Apply with a paint brush or air brush.

Model Railroads