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How to Make a Swinging Bridge for a Model Railroad

Model railways are really great hobbies to have. Aside from building the trains and tracks, you also get to create the towns and countryside that your train will go through. Components for model railways can be really expensive, but you can make your own using everyday household items. You can use your imagination to create components of your countryside scene while saving money. Make this cute swinging bridge from toothpicks to put over a canyon, river or ravine.

Things You'll Need

Toothpicks
Thin string
Scissors
Ruler
Glue

Instructions

- 1
  Align your toothpicks and use the scissors to cut the tips off so that both sides of the toothpicks are flat. You will cut as many toothpicks as you need for the bridge. Bridge lengths will vary with the terrain they must traverse.
- 2
  Measure the distance the bridge must span. Double the length of the bridge. Cut two lengths of string that are twice as long as you want your bridge to be. For example, if your bridge needs to span a 3-inch gap, cut two pieces of string that are 6 inches long.
- 3
  Measure 1/2 inch from one side of the first string. Tie a toothpick to the string here. Continue to tie a toothpick to the string every 1/4 inch along the string. Leave the last 1/2 inch free.
- 4
  Tie the other string to the other end of all of the toothpicks. Place a dab of glue onto each of the knots to keep them in place. You should now have two lengths of string with toothpicks tied every 1/4 inch.
- 5
  Attach the strings to your model railway scenery on both sides of the terrain you want the bridge to span. You can glue the strings directly onto the model railway landscape, or make poles for your bridge.
- 6
  Cut one of the pointed ends off four toothpicks to make poles for your bridge. Tie the four loose ends of the strings to the top of the four toothpicks where you cut the points off. Push the pointed ends of the toothpicks into the model railway landscape on both ends of the river or ravine that you want the bridge to span.

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