6 MAY 2020 – Building the Straight Trestle Bridge
Before getting too far in constructing the platform, I wanted to see what the trestle bridges would look like and how much support they would need to get to the proper height. I have had these models for over two years when I first decided that I would like trestle bridges over the Menominee. I don’t know the history of these bridges (in fact there is only one). I do know that there is an iconic looking bridge upstream from the location I am modeling where the branch crosses the Menominee to get to Niagara, Wisconsin. These bridges are not prototypical, but I think they are attractive. To be somewhat realistic I am going to but them on cement pilings so they would have some chance of surviving the constant pounding they would receive being downstream from Quinnesec Falls.
I did some reading from other modelers who model with wood to determine what adhesive I should use. I expected to use Elmer’s Wood Glue, but it seemed most people with experience building wooden ships, etc. prefer to use CA (super glue). My experience with using CA was that it did not set up fast enough so I used an accelerant with it. Ultimately I got the best results by preparing one surface with accelerant and the other surface with a very small amount of CA. I have another bridge to build so by the time I’m done I should be very good at it. The first couple of bents had a lot of extra glue on them.
The next step will be to add some details to the straight trestle and construct the curved trestle bridge. Then both can be stained and set aside while the river and scenery is completed.
Uncle Heavy's Michigan Ore Lines 