Scratch Build a Bridge - Building the I-895 Bridge in HO Scale

Bridges are everywhere. Sometimes they’re simple, sometimes grand, but no matter what, they’re critical to any kind of ground-based transportation system. To be realistic, our layouts need bridges. And they can be an impressive scenic element on your layout.
After having a mock-up of the Interstate 895 bridge on my layout for quite some time, I decided it was time to get in gear and actually build it. Nothing on the market comes close to this highway bridge model, so I decided I'd need to build it myself. This video is the first in a series that covers how to scratch build a bridge.
While this is a bridge for my HO scale layout, it includes techniques that should be useful to anyone who likes model trains or has a model railroad.
My layout is the Monument City Terminal Division, a roughly L-Shaped, single-deck layout overall measuring 20'x30', but that's deceiving, as the shape is very odd to fit my basement. Follow this channel for videos on building it as well as a project layout called "The Grunge."
Chapters:
00:00​ - Intro
01:42​ - You May Have Heard This One Before...
02:47​ - I-895 and I-95 in Baltimore
04:43 - Pieces and Parts
07:47​ - Planning and Preparation
09:35​ - Fabricating the Plate Sections
24:23 - Wrap Up
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[@davidmcrae5183]

Great cooking show reference. "Hewow"

[@davestrains6816]

Awesome project. Very informative. Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Thanks for watching! Happy New Year!

[@joeraderblackrockcentralrr]

excellent presentation of your process

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Thanks, Joe! And thanks so much for being a continued supporter of the channel. I very much appreciate it!

[@larrybertoli5660]

thanks for your help

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Glad it helped

[@robot7759]

Fiddly work, building bridges 😉

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Yes, but I think results will be worth it. When I cobbled it together for the thumbnail photo it was already looking good. Happy New Year, Rob!

[@robot7759]

@@ThePixelDepotLLC Happy New Year, Joe.

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Wow nice video hope to see more in the New Year.

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

You will, for sure! Thanks for watching!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

@@ThePixelDepotLLC Thanks very much for replying to my comment. More uploads in 2022 to look out for and supporting my channel..Take Care & Stay Safe.

[@the_BRD_sub_byDonHennessy]

Quite the project, patiently waiting to see more progress. Cheers

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

You shouldn’t have to wait too long.

[@fbrailroad4628]

Great video! Looking forward to more. Thanks for sharing, David

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Thanks, David. Happy New Year!

[@robertcooney8831]

Thanks for sharing this with me

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

I still have to do Part 2. 😳

[@dff19707]

I don’t know if that GAF plant was there in the shadow of the 895 bridge in the 1980s, but, “phew!” A sometimes overwhelmingly stinky asphalt odor.

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

I’ll have to ask around. I know someone who will know.

[@AndyKonTrains]

Awesome work, was on 895 yesterday actually for work.

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

Nice! I really do have to get back to that project and finish it off.

[@davidmcrae5183]

Idea for adding styrene to the girders: would laying the girder flat, instead of working with it upright and flexible, be possible? Might give you a straighter connection if on a piece of glass with some wax paper (so the glue doesn't stick to the work surface).

[@ThePixelDepotLLC]

That may have worked as well. I think the problem there would have been getting the long runs to lay flat. They hung off the bench (although you could really see that on camera) so having them upright made it easier for that particular thing.

[@davidcurtis5398]

@@ThePixelDepotLLC For really long glue-ups I have a 4 foot by 4 inches piece of glass glued to a 3/4 piece of plywood with a band around it to cover p the glass edges. I got the glass from the "big box store and it cost me only $5. Before I glued the glass to the board I drew several very straight lines in the wood and they are great for making sure the item I am building is straight. In the past I put masking tape on the wood, drew the line on the masking tape, put a piece of wax paper on the top, and then built the item. All ideas I got from modelers so much better than I am.