Building bridges with Meccano

Pipalya

Pipalya

White Pass, SAR (South Australian Railways)
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Following on from my thread about building a girder bridge I was asked about the truss bridge that appeared on the edge of some photos.
I had again looked at the cost of ready built G scale bridges and saw how expensive they were. However i had some old rusty and not so good Meccano so I thought I might see if I could construct a suitable bridge from that for my new railway being constructed in my son's backyard. (see "New Tracks Down Under" in the track & track laying forum)

First up I used my good Meccano to construct a prototype. I discovered I needed some extra old bits and some new to complete the project and these were sourced via the internet. I bought washers from the local hardware and cut some of the old meccano to fit. The pictures tell the story.

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It looks OK.
I tried to get all the rust off and then painted it with a rust sealing paint. It didn't work entirely as some rusty spots have re-appeared. I have treated them with WD40 and left them visible for the moment.
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Has anyone else used Meccano to construct bridges for garden rail?
I have seen folk use aluminium bits and pieces using pop rivets but if you have to buy all the bits the price goes up. I guess you need to be lucky enough to just have some stuff lying around. You can pick up some old Meccano cheap from trading tables or markets if you keep an eye out.
 
i like the spiral too, and..... its steeper than what mine is, as i build it lol. if thats spiral is ok, then mine will be too hehehe
 
duncan1_9_8_4 said:
i like the spiral too, and..... its steeper than what mine is, as i build it lol. if thats spiral is ok, then mine will be too hehehe
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Are you looking at my last photo? The track goes off the bridge and around the mountain and back under the bridge. The current setup is that is a downhill track for locos. I have yet to test the grade, however I have reversed locos up that track without a problem so far but with little in the way of rolling stock attached. I will be testing the grades further before more serious operations.
 
This is my take on a Meccano Bridge. It was built back in 2001 when I needed a link between the shed on the left and the rockery on the right. I bought all the Meccano looking bits from a bloke who had a stall in Hemel Antique Market on Wednesdays. he does not do the market any more but I have seen him at swopmeets. Meccano as stated can be picked up at odd places. I have loads that I got with a collection and tried to sell it on to the Meccano Man who showed little interest. Link below.

http://meccanoman.co.uk/catalog/ ...999a4af1a4d4d719913e5ae5.jpg[/IMG] JonD
 
The bridge seems to me exactly what Meccano is all about - not just building models and toys, but also real miniature structures that will be put to work on the railway. Nicely done indeed (though very annoying to a purveyor of bridges who would like to sell more!) and well proportioned - you must have studied the real thing carefully.

The rust problem can really only be solved by sanding down to bare metal and priming again. Before I paint my bridges I wash them with an aggressive detergent, and have no trouble with adhesion after that. Where I have bolted joints, I usually put a little paint on the thread before assembly, as insurance against loosening.

A good model of an interesting prototype railway too - thanks for showing it.

Andrew
 
Let it rust - the real ones do. Provided it's checked (matt varnish?) before the structure is compromised, it'll look far better than pristine.
 
I'll argue that one with Bredebahn... Even when covered up and seeming to be sealed, the rust will eventually work its way under good paint and lift it after continuous exposure to the weather. Some steels develop a stable oxide layer that doesn't progress after the initial surface oxidation, but I suspect that Meccano will (quite reasonably) have used the cheapest steel to be found, and the rust will keep going, given the chance. This is one of the reasons why a good number of garden railway bridge builders use aluminium alloys. But I'm biased. I once owned a Triumph Vitesse, and the body rust was always one step ahead of me until I finally gave up.

Andrew
 
If you live in a dry climate you should be fine, if you live in a wet one, sad to say but that stuff will rust fast, so buy a few spare cans of spray paint and give a reshoot every fall
 
vsmith said:
If you live in a dry climate you should be fine, if you live in a wet one, sad to say but that stuff will rust fast, so buy a few spare cans of spray paint and give a reshoot every fall
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It seemed appropriate to respond to the last two messages regarding the rusting of Meccano after a year in the sun and rain. The bridge has been in place since September last year and has endured summer rains and winter through June - Aug here in Australia. We have rust. I treated the corrosion with WD40 in situ but finally in late November took the bridge into the workshop for major maintenance which involved using rust eater then repainting with a rust inhibiting paint. The bridge is looking like new and just back in time for the arrival of Thomas.

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I thought that the rusting appearance gives the bridge a touch of authenticity, but as noted by previous correspondents there needs to be a yearly maintenance regime.
 
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