Trout Brook Bridge - Official Work Thread

[Paul Uhland]

Looking at Ed and Mike's very-rebuilt-bridge pics, the RR will get a practically brand new structure.   Yes, wish the truss members would be visible.
BUT THAT'S NOT A COMPLAINT !!   

[john d Stone]

Plexiglass....hmm. Clearly, that's the solution!

[Mike Fox]

Inside dimensions are going to be 10 feet, which is the width of our shop doors. This puts the exterior width at about 14 feet, with exception to the two longer timbers thay hold the bracing.

Planning now to send some of the timbers to be pressure treated. But it needs to be done quickly because the deadline for the reassembly funding is Dec. 31...quickly approaching..

[Ira Schreiber]

46' long??

[Mike Fox]

48' Long

[Mark Spremulli]

Is there a possibility that the bridge could be covered with a roof?

[James Patten]

Is there a possibility that the bridge could be covered with a roof?

Our bridge engineer was quite unhappy with that idea because of steam locomotives throwing stuff out the stack as they charge upgrade.

[Mark Spremulli]

Oh cool no problem. Will still make a wonderful addition to the ride. Great photo ops abound

[Paul Uhland]

Regarding the hidden trusswork issue, why not just omit sheathing the trusses? Though the sheathing undoubtedly makes the 'walls'  stiffer, the rebuilt pics show those heavy truss elements apparently very able to do their job without help.
Is it mandatory that EVERY original bridge feature  be kept? It's going to be modified anyway to suit WW&F use.

Truss design and apps have always fascinated me, a brilliant way to safely span areas  using just-enough elements.

[Brendan Barry]

The whole idea behind covered bridges is to keep the structural members out of the weather.

[Paul Uhland]

Brendan...gotcha. 

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

The sheathed over trusses include a roof on top of the box running the length of the span which keeps water out of the truss system.  Our bridge will have a roof on both sides.

[Paul Uhland]

Thanks, Start.
Will you all start work when the bridge pieces arrive at Sheepscot in the next few weeks, or wait until next spring?
I look forward  to following this project, along with the track extension work north. 

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

The deadline for the NPS funding to cover reassembly is December 31st 2017 so we want to get the span rebuilt to 10' wide (inside measurement) this year.

[Wayne Laepple]

With regard to plexiglass, would it make sense to replace a section of the sheathing with a sheet of plexiglass so that visitors can see the truss inside?