DIY Network

Building a Wooden Trestle and Long-Span Bridge Learn how to build a wooden trestle for a garden railroad. From "Workin' On the Railroad" episode DWRR-203L

Host Chris Chianelli and guests Miles Hale build a simple—but beautiful—wooden trestle for the Oak Ridge Children's Museum garden railroad. Guest Mark Fuhrman builds a long-span bridge with a piece of real tracking.

Finally, Mark and Chris build tunnel portals using 2"x12" pieces of treated lumber. They then take small pieces of 1"x1" wood strips and attach to the openings of the tunnels to give the "support look" to the tunnel.

advertisement

Chris and Miles demonstrate how to build this wooden trestle for a garden railroad.

Making a Timber Trestle

Materials:

1/2"x1/2" western cedar lumber pieces (stock will be cut to different lengths)
table saw
planer
pre-made jig
waterproof carpenter's glue
brad nailer and nails
hex wrench
t-square
split-jaw clamps

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Note: This particular trestle is being built at 1/24 scale, where 1/2" equals 1'.

1. Start by using western cedar lumber (figure A) cut into 1/2"x1/2" pieces.

2. Build the trestle bents (figure B) using a pre-made jig, which will simplify the steps.

3. When building the jig pre-determine the size, and then get the angles and distance apart.

4. Once the jig is complete, lay the pre-cut pieces into place.

5. Glue together with waterproof glue, and then brad nail into place.

6. Once the one side is complete, turn over and brace the other side.

7. Use a radius curve piece of track to sketch out onto a board (figure C).

8. Place the bents on the board about 7" apart, upside down.

9. From the other side of the board, screw into place.

10. Make sure they are all perpendicular using a square, and then glue and brad nail the cross support into place.

Figure D

Making a Railroad Model Bridge

• A unique way to make a bridge is to use a piece of old full-scale railing.

• Turn the piece upside down, mortar (use standard masonry mortar) the ends in place so that it can't move and this makes the perfect bridge (figure D) to lay track on.

Figure E

Tip for Sprucing Up a Tunnel Portal

• If the tunnel portals on your garden railroad look a bit unfinished, you can add more detail by taking some 1/2"x1/2" western cedar lumber and miter a 45-degree angle on each end.

• Attach the mitered pieces of cedar to each side of the portal with carpenter's glue and a brad nailer.

• This simple treatment makes the tunnel portal look more realistic.

• You can also use some flat-black spray paint on the wood to make it look weathered (figure E). Be sure to put newspaper down on the track to protect it from the spray paint.

Note: Want information on building model bridges and trestles to match the amazing trestles on your layout? Check this out>>.

RESOURCES :

River Pass Kit, Scenic Supplies and Modules for all Scales
Woodland Scenics
Website: www.woodlandscenics.com

Model Railroader magazine
Website: www.kalmbach.com

National Model Railroad Association
Website: www.mnra.org

Sterling Models (Scenery Supplies)
Website: www.sterlingmodels.com

GUESTS :

Miles Hale
Master Model Railroader
Model Railroading University
5608 N. Mercier Dr.
Kansas City, MO 64118
Phone: 816-746-1567
Website: www.modelrailroadinguniversity.com