Black Bear Construction Co., Inc.  Trestle and Bridge Building Supplies for the Model Railroader

Choosing a Timber Bridge

The trestle bridge was always the preferred bridge because it is the cheapest and easiest to build.

The Howe Truss Bridge revolutionized timber bridge construction. It's structural integrity makes efficient use of wood's ability to withstand compressive stress. It is characterized by heavy members that lean inward. These inward leaning members and top chord carry compression. The vertical members (typically iron rods) and bottom chord carry tension. The outward leaning members aren't actually needed in static situations. However, the dynamic loading applied by a moving train makes them necessary. Just about every timber bridge built after the Civil War is a Howe Truss Bridge.

The deck bridge is the best choice if flooding or height makes a trestle impractical. A deck bridge puts all the structure under the rails where it won't get hit by a train.

If the clearance is insufficient (flowing water or track crossing underneath) a truss bridge is required. A pony truss has short side panels and can span up to 80 feet. A through-truss bridge (like Midwest Products' Fox River Bridge, below) can span up to 150 feet.

The Black Bear Arch Bridge is a "back woods" design that might have been common in the 1800's.

S Scale Price List ACCESSORIES The items can help you build your trestle and add detail to the finished product. TJN-S S & O Scale NBW Pack 25 Sprues, GL-5093 $10.00 MA-282 Mt. Albert S Scale Bridge Ties 8" x 8" x 10' $23.60 500 to a bag. Includes 16 ea. 16' long refuge ties. More S Scale Ties from Mt. Albert Scale Lumber TRESTLE KITS and JIGS There are a lot of different trestle kits. You may want to use the TRESTLE SELECTION GUIDE to help you sort it out. Part No. Description Price Photos and Drawings TJK-5LS DISCONTINUED S Scale, 5 Leg Trestle Kit $61.25 OR TJ-5LS DISCONTINUED      S/Sn3 Scale 5 Leg Trestle Jig - Only - Includes Drawings and Instructions $32.27 TJM-5LS      S/Sn3 Scale 5 Leg Trestle Materials Pack - Only $28.98 TJK-4RS DISCONTINUED Sn3 Scale, RGS Trestle Kit Based on the Gallagher Creek, CO, trestle. $74.50 TJ-4RS DISCONTINUED      Sn3 Scale, RGS Trestle Jig - Only - Includes Drawings and Instructions $38.89 TJM-4RS       S Scale RGS Trestle Materials Pack - Only $35.61 TJK-4DNS Sn3 Scale, D&RGW Trestle Kit Narrow Gauge trestle kit. $62.97 TJ-4DNS      Sn3 Scale, D&RGW Trestle Jig - Only - Includes Drawings and Instructions $32.29 TJM-4DS      S/Sn3 Scale, D&RGW Trestle Jig Materials Pack - Only $30.68 TJK-4DSS S Scale, D&RGW Trestle Kit Standard Gauge trestle kit. $62.97 TJ-4DSS      S Scale, D&RGW Trestle Jig - Only - Includes Drawings and Instructions $32.29 TJM-4DS      S/Sn3 Scale, D&RGW Trestle Materials Pack - Only $30.68 TJK-4AS S Scale, Alamogordo & Sacramento Mtns. Trestle Kit Standard Gauge trestle kit. $76.17 TJ-4AS       S Scale, ASM Trestle Trestle Jig - Only - Includes Drawings and Instructions $38.89 TJM-4AS       S Scale ASM Trestle Materials Pack - Only $37.28 ARCH BRIDGE KIT and JIG This "back woods" design is appropriate for logging operations or during the mid-1800's. ABK-S S/Sn3 Scale, Arch Bridge Kit Standard Gauge or Narrow Gauge. Includes piers to support the bridge. $50.40 Look at this account of building this kit in O scale. AB-S      S/Sn3 Arch Bridge Jig - Only $36.15 ABM-S      S/Sn3 Arch Bridge Materials Pack - Only $14.25 TRUSS BRIDGE KITS and JIGS This kit builds a lot of different bridges. TBK-S S/Sn3 Scale, Truss Bridge Kit Standard or Narrow Gauge. Includes piers for end supports. Can be built in any one of three different designs. $53.98 TB-S      S/Sn3 Scale Truss Bridge Jig - Only - Includes all the instructions and drawings you need. $36.15 TBM-S      S/Sn3 Scale Truss Bridge Materials Pack - Only - Enough materials to build any one of the three designs. $17.83 DECK BRIDGE KITS and JIGSThis bridge looks great sitting in the middle of a trestle. DBK-S S/Sn3 Deck Bridge Kit Extend the bridge out the end of the jig to make it longer. $64.97 DB-S      S/Sn3 Scale Deck Bridge Jig - Only $46.50 DBM-S      S/Sn3 Scale Deck Bridge Materials Pack - Only $18.47

PO Box 26911
Austin, TX 78755-0911
(512) 467-8400 FAX:(512) 985-5110
Page Modified May 27, 2010