Biggest Bascules?

Just curious, but does anyone know the biggest bascule bridges in terms of length and number of tracks?

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RE: Biggest Bascules?, caldrail, Dec-05-04, 08:13 AM, (1) RE: Biggest Bascules?, rpicardi1, Dec-05-04, 08:51 AM, (2) RE: Biggest Bascules?, caldrail, Dec-06-04, 08:07 AM, (3) RE: Biggest Bascules?, pointroberts, Dec-06-04, 10:04 AM, (4) RE: Biggest Bascules?, rpicardi1, Dec-06-04, 06:21 PM, (5) RE: Biggest Bascules?, caldrail, Dec-09-04, 07:05 AM, (6) RE: Biggest Bascules?, rpicardi1, Dec-09-04, 07:36 PM, (7) RE: Biggest Bascules?, caldrail, Dec-11-04, 07:30 AM, (8) RE: Biggest Bascules?, rpicardi1, Dec-11-04, 10:05 PM, (10) RE: Biggest Bascules?, Xacto, Dec-11-04, 10:50 AM, (9) RE: Biggest Bascules?, rpicardi1, Dec-11-04, 10:18 PM, (11) RE: Biggest Bascules?, caldrail, Dec-12-04, 08:23 AM, (12)

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Hmmm... Embarrassing silence eh lads?

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Bascule Bridges; I don't think there are any outstanding sized ones as the multitrack bridges crossing shipping channels tend to be lift spans as well as those of long spans across the channel.There are several in the forum library. Search for SRV to find them.Lift spans include rolling bridges for small channels, larger single and double track bascules of the rocker beam type and counterweight A frame. There are several lift spans - one of which I have a request for but may not be completed until after Christmas.Largest truss spans for MSTS include the Ohio Crossing at 540 feet. Largest bridge to date modeled for MSTS is the Forth Rail Bridge, an 8,400 foot structure made for a route available on UK Train Sim. Most complex span is the Eads Rail Bridge.SRV Ron

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Thanks, but it wasn't models I was after - I've got most of them anyway. It was real-world bridges I was curious about. Surely out there somewhere is/was a real monster. It's nothing to do with my route, it's just that I saw a video clip of a sizable Chicago 'folding' bridge and it set me thinking.

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Do a Google search for "biggest bascule bridge"... I got 7,890 results... should be able to find what you're looking for in there somewhere.

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The bridges that I have uploades are modeled after real world span."Chicago folding bridge" You may be looking at something on the order of a double bascule. There are several spanning the Soo Locks. The idea is to cross a larger channel without having to build a heavy lift or bascule structure. It must be a maintainance nightmare to properly lock the bascule pair together before a heavy freight crosses it. Just ask the maintainance people in Bay City about the highway variety. One such bridge has had its locking pins replaced due to breaking under stress. They has to be custom milled and hardened. They are constantly having to do welding on the steel grating deck to repair cracks.The CSX Bascule bridge spans 200 feet. The sister bridge in the Houston Shipping Channel has an extra length of trusses in its lift section. Both are built by the same company and are of the same besic design. They are single track. They were constructed in the 40s. SRV Ron

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200'? Rock N Roll!

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Some pics of the Saginaw River span. Add another 50 feet and this design is the Houston Ship Channel.SRV Ron

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I grew up with a meccano set when I was a kid. You have that in America? Lots of metal strips and bolts to build things. Guess thats why I can't help but love those bridges.

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They were called Erector Sets in the 50s. A collection of stamped web girder steel strips, plates, and other pieces, all bolted together with #8-32 bolts, nuts, and washers. Highly collectable today. Doubtful they could be sold as toys today due to all of the small parts that could be swallowed.Truss bridges in the 1890s to 1940s were all rivited parts of angle, plates and straps steel. Nowdays, everything is welded with high tensle bolts used to assemble the welded fabrication.You can build models using Evergreen and Plastruct basic shapes. There are some kits available from Walthers.SRV Ron

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I've never seen a counterweight system arranged like that on a bascule bridge, very interesting.

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There are only two of this design that were ever built. The lift motors are on the sled and ride a rack down the A frame. The counterweight is filled with concrete. The design keeps the load on the motors constant as the weight being lifted changes with the angle of the bridge. The pivit on the bridge is just above the track level.Pics of details taken long before it became impossible to do this kind of documation.I missed a chance to get a copy of the blueprints for this bridge. They were stored in the attic of the old Potter Street station and unfortunely destroyed in an arson fire some time ago.SRV Ron

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http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/41bbb7b369ed05fc.jpg

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US bridges are just so interesting to look at compared to ours because.... errr.... help, I'm turning into a nerd...

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