I'm gonna act like a complete newbie and ask the obvious: how can I build or buy a trestle that won't cost an arm and a leg? For years, I had fantasized that when the tile came to lay track in my backyard, I would buy me a couple of Bridgemasters ready-made trestle sections and go to town. Then, after my wife cleaned up the area where my trestle was to go, I set up a half circle of 8-foot diameter Aristo curved track, counted the number of pieces I'd need and came to a heart-stopping conclusion: unless my math is wrong, at $89 per section I would need to shell out $712 for my trestle! Now I'm no skinflint, but when you consider all the other stuff I'll need, 700 large is gonna hurt. So what to do? I don't want to buy a lot of redwood, a nailer, build a jig, and then spend the same amount of money on "parts" that I would have expended just buying the dang thing. Plus I could always hurt myself. Or should I just build an earthen berm and forget about a trestle?
Posts by joe rusz
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Thanks, guys. Maybe I'll give rolling my own a shot. My bents need to be only five inches tall, as they will run through a bed of Baby Tears my wife has planted. We tried Scotch Moss, which didn't take (too shady, I think). Now my wife is Baby Tearing the yard to death. She likes it. And ya can't kill it. Plus it's green.
Ya didn't ask, and I'm getting way ahead of myself, but here's the deal. When we replaced a huge eucalyptus a few years ago, I thought ahead for once and planted three Silver Sheen pittasporum (I think it's spelled). They're evergreen, grow to about 20 feet, and have tiny leaves that shimmer in the wind (hence the name). I picture my railroad cutting through the trees as it loops its way back to where the flatlands and maybe a small mountain will be. I drew up a 1 inch to 1 foot plan and I think I have enough Aristo and USA Trains brass rail. But I'll need more turnouts. Anyway, maybe later this year...
Russell, glad to hear we're still buds. I need all the friends I can get.
Ya didn't ask, and I'm getting way ahead of myself, but here's the deal. When we replaced a huge eucalyptus a few years ago, I thought ahead for once and planted three Silver Sheen pittasporum (I think it's spelled). They're evergreen, grow to about 20 feet, and have tiny leaves that shimmer in the wind (hence the name). I picture my railroad cutting through the trees as it loops its way back to where the flatlands and maybe a small mountain will be. I drew up a 1 inch to 1 foot plan and I think I have enough Aristo and USA Trains brass rail. But I'll need more turnouts. Anyway, maybe later this year...
Russell, glad to hear we're still buds. I need all the friends I can get.
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