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Illinois Live Steamers!
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Illinois Live Steamers!
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| ILS Bridge Project - Part 4 By Carl Baskin For the most part, all of the metal cutting, fabrication and welding, has now been completed! The last of the lattices were recently installed. The five (5) lattice sections help to keep the bridge structure from twisting. The remaining gusset plates were installed on the upper and lower corners at both ends of the trusses. These were installed primarily to seal up the 3”x3” square openings on the ends of the main truss members, but they look nice too (refer photos 36 & 37).
Decorative gusset plates were added to the end lattices for that additional “gingerbread” look. They turned out nice as well (refer photo 38).
And the last of the “X” bracing was installed in the top four sections of the bridge. There’s very little “wiggle” left in the bridge structure now. It’s amazing how such small “steel members” can strengthen such a large object. As for future track installation, several pieces of 2” high x 3” wide x ¼” thick angle iron were welded in place. These will be used to “cradle” the bridge ties. Bridge ties will be made by cutting treated pine 2x6’s into 16” long pieces and then ripping these boards in half. The ties will be installed flat-wise with a 1.5” spacing. This is similar to the way the track on other ILS bridges and trestles has been installed. Lastly, strap iron mounting cleats were welded on the lower cross span members. These will be used to fasten the bridge decking (refer photo 39).
At this time, bridge decking will be either; two (2) treated pine 2x8’s or three (3) plastic 5/4 decking planks running down both sides of the track. Longevity and cost will be the final determining factors. So what’s left to do? Well, the bridge builders are looking to attach steel “ILS” insignia on both ends of the bridge. Once that’s done, it’s time for sandblasting, priming and painting. The bridge builders have selected a silver/galvanized paint finish. This will be in contrast to some of the other ILS bridge/trestle structures that are black. The end product should prove to be a nice addition to the 7.5” railroad…let’s hope the other ILS members like it as well! (refer photos 40 & 41)
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