I am sure that there are a number of modellers who model the American scene who would dearly love to have a trestle bridge on their layout, but have not the courage to start to build one.

I know the tried and tested method to build a trestle is to draw out the plan of the trestle, then using the drawing, pin the wood to it. Let it dry, then make another the same way. Some may even use tracing paper to copy out the original drawing. Okay, it works, and works well, but its time consuming. My way is a simple quick and easy way to construct as many of the risers that you may require. You still have to draw out the plan on card (not paper) but only once will you need to draw it out. The beauty of it is you could make hundreds of trestle bridges using the one card. - Here’s how to make it.

Get hold of some 1/16th card approximately 8" wide by 1’-6" tall (You will need four pieces) and mark out the size of the main riser you require, draw it out as if you were going to use it to pin the wood to it. Once this has been achieved, glue one of the other three pieces underneath the drawing and carefully cut out with a craft knife the outline of the trestle, both pieces. (See fig 1 top left)

Figure 1

You only need to cut out the five straight pieces. Now glue the other two pieces of card together and place them underneath the card you have just cut out and glue or staple the four pieces together. (fig 1 top right) Now you will need some ¼" balsa or hard wood and make up the pieces about ½" long and glue these to the card as shown in fig 1 top left (In red) all that remains for you to do now is to try out your jig. Using 1/8th (I use 1/8th for HO) square timber cut off five pieces the length you require and inlay them into the jig .(fig 1 bottom) now cut off the cross members and using a very small amount of glue, place them across the timber and onto the ¼" blocks. (RED fig 1) before going onto the next pieces use some track pins (PECO 1/2"and pin through the pieces of wood at the glue joints just lightly tap them in with a small hammer, don’t go all the way into the card just enough to hold it in place. Now do the same all the way down to the bottom. When all is complete, (It takes me about 5 min. for each one) gently lift it out of the jig.

Now here’s why you didn’t knock those track pins all the way home, you need to cut off the tops and bottoms of the overlap first, then glue and place the other five pieces opposite the first five, but this part is even easier. Remember, a small amount of glue on each piece then place it underneath and when all is square, lightly tap the track pins to secure the pieces together. When you have completed all pieces in the same way. Drill a small hole in a piece wood (Off cut) and place the track pins over the hole and lightly tap them all the way home, turn it over and cut off the remaining track pin not required, and you are ready to start another one. I tend to leave the diagonal pieces until I have completed the amount of trestle pieces required.

Tall or Short – Thin or Fat any trestle bridge can be made this way. I made the 4’ long by 1’ high bridge seen in the photo in three days from start to finish. The box section in the centre of the trestle was made in a similar way,

Figure 2

Except for N-gauge, more later. (I drew up mine on the computer first then printed it out) just make the jig in the same way. If any of you want printouts of the box centre section, in any size (HO – N), please contact me. I can also produce printouts of some of my scratchbuilt structures, It’s a simple way, just glue the printout to card and cut around everything, (HO & N) can be produced, you will have to obtain grant line windows and doors to fit the structure, or you can make your own.

Figure 3

Right, now for the Box section for N-gauge, all you really need to do is to cut out the whole thing (See Drawing and text) providing you have used two pieces of card glued together, it will look fine.

Have Fun.

Written by Paul Templar
http://www.badger-creek.co.uk/