[neil_s_wood]

I am seeking to recreate Glen Finnan Viaduct on my new layout (which is still in the planning stage) and, while there are many bridge kits available out there, I am wondering if any of these bridge kits curve or are they all straight?

Pretty much every kit I have seen seems to offer a straightline bridge and I was hoping if anyone had seen such an item if they could let me know who makes it. Or alternatively a kit that could be easily converted to a large radius 3 ft curve or some top tips on the best way to do this would be great.

I am not optomistic and am already thinking I may have to scratch build this.

This is what I aim to recreate.

 

[neil_s_wood]

Yes, thats pretty much plan B at the moment. Ideally rather than use the stone paper that Faller make I was hoping to find something like the plaster stonework that Town street make. There stuff is great but for the projected size I am thinking of this would cost too much. I was thinking that a large plastic kit may be a cheaper option if available.

Another idea I had, which is more inkeeping with the original, is to make it from wood and cover it with plaster if paris then shape and paint that. The real one is actually concrete and has just been made to look like stone. I'm not quite sure about bending the wood to the contours needed. I suppose if the woods thin enough it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE (Dennis David @ 27 Jun 2006, 14:14) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>If it were my project I would use matboard.

Whats matboard?

 

[neil_s_wood]

I never really thought off that. Would plaster stick to it or would it become too soggy withe the damp plaster?

 

[neil_s_wood]

Thats not a bad idea. If I could make one mould then I could do all the arches from that and join them up.

 

[neil_s_wood]

thanks for that, that may well be the best idea.

 

[neil_s_wood]

That sounds interesting I will have a look at that.

I haven't seen those before.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE If you wanted to try to make the viaduct out of plaster cast sections, I am sure that it would be possible. I built my station in this way with my own cast plaster wall modules stuck onto a 3mm Birch Ply base, inside and out. You can see part of my model of York Station, Platform 1, in my avatar. The walls are plaster, as are the column bases and capitals.

Plaster would be my preferred option as it stains really well to resemble the real thing. Did you make your own moulds then from the Tiranti moulds? Was it fairly easy or is it quite a complex process?

QUOTE I would be tempted to build the track bed as if it were a 3" (or whatever) wide fixed baseboard and then build the bridge around it.

I'm kind of thinking that would be best as I have some very heavy locos and was thinking of having it solidly supported underneath.

 

[neil_s_wood]

Sounds good. I will check out the Langley website to see what their viaduct sections are like.

Colombo, about how much did this cost you?

To make the mould that is? I seem to remember from looking at the website it was about 18 quid. I do like the look plaster has once it has been stained. This would probably be my preferred option if not too costly.

 

[neil_s_wood]

That station looks fantastic Colombo. I would be very interested to see the mould making process too if it's not too much of a pain in the arse. Sorry to add to the questions but do you have to add something to the rubber to get it to set? Thanks for all the information. I am a big fan of the Townstreet range but their prices are pretty high and if I can make similar stuff myself then this would be the go.