The Model Railroader's Guide to Bridges, Trestles & Tunnels [Paperback]

Jeff Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Model Railroader's Guide To...

Prolific Kalmbach author Jeff Wilson shows modelers how to re-create numerous types of railroad and highway bridges based on prototype designs. Divided into chapters by bridge type, each chapter shows several prototype examples and demonstrates techniques for modeling, painting, weathering, and installing the models on a layout. Covers the history of railroad bridges, trestles, and tunnels. Includes specific details for modeling iron and steel truss bridges, plate girder bridges, concrete bridges, lift bridges, tunnels, and more. Lists currently available models. Ideal for intermediate and advanced hobbyists.

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Kalmbach Publishing Company (November 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890245967
• ISBN-13: 978-0890245965
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jeff Wilson "Bridges the Gap", July 13, 2006

By 

Roy Kaiser "fr8 train" (Chesapeake, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Model Railroader's Guide to Bridges, Trestles & Tunnels (Paperback)

As a 28 year veteran of professional railroading, with 18 years in the bridge department, Jeff has indeed managed to bridge the gap between prototype and modeler. He explains in great detail the "why" that goes into selecting the proper type or size bridge for a particular location. Many beautiful bridge models are spoiled because they would just not be practical in the real world. Jeff did an excellent job of researching the subject material and has made it easy for a modeler to build a very nice, prototypical bridge for a given geographic location.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An in-depth guide that combines an appreciation of railroad history with solid how-to tactics for bringing said history to life, December 9, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Model Railroader's Guide to Bridges, Trestles & Tunnels (Paperback)

The Model Railroader's Guide To Bridges, Trestles & Tunnels is an in-depth hobbyist's guide to adding minutely detailed, realistic bridges and tunnel portals to a model railroad layout. Chapters include overviews of the construction and purpose of bridges, trestles, and tunnels; historic and contemporary prototype photos, in black-and-white and color; strategies for modeling, painting, and weathering scale replicas; listings of bridge, trestle, and tunnel kits in HO, N, and O scale, as well as excellent suggestions for modifying kits and scratchbuilding; and so much more. An in-depth guide that combines an appreciation of railroad history with solid how-to tactics for bringing said history to life.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bridges, Trestles & Tunnels, February 28, 2008

By 

Lena Pfeffer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Model Railroader's Guide to Bridges, Trestles & Tunnels (Paperback)

This book is an excellent guide to model railroad bridges, trestles, and tunnels. It presents all types of construction including wood, stone, iron, concrete, etc and all era's from the early 18th century to the present.

Many prototype photographs and illustrations are used to show the different types of bridges. You don't have to be a civil engineer to read the book, but it will give you a very good detailed view of each type of bridge.

Each section in the book ends with information on how to model these structures. This includes construction details including sources for the needed products. Information is also included on how to finish the products.

When I now see a bridge while traveling I have good knowledge of why and how the bridge was constructed.

I am not a modeler (at least yet) but I think this book will appeal to both novices and more experienced modelers. I have two other similar books and this book is by far the best of the three. I highly recommend it.