|
Black Bear Construction
Co., Inc.
|
Clinics From Mike Barrett and Black Bear Construction Co. Most model train conventions offer a variety of clinics related to different aspects of the hobby. Mike Barrett has developed several clinics that offer ideas on modeling timber bridges and trestles. If you ever have a chance to visit one of the national or regional NMRA Conventions, you should take advantage of the great clinics offered there. The National Narrow Gauge Convention is another great place to attend model railroading clinics. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| WOODEN TRESTLE WORKSHOP |
|
This is the standard trestle to be built in the workshop. |
Abstract Build a 4-bent HO scale trestle with all the bracing, using a Black Bear Construction Co. trestle jig. Attendees are given 4 Trestle Buddy links with end pieces, screws and nuts, all the pre-stained wood and stringer material, a section of HO track, a Black Bear TJ-5LHO trestle jig complete with drawings and instructions, a Black Bear catalog, a class handout, and a cardboard box to carry the completed trestle. Tools and materials are provided. Attendance is limited. This is an "Extra Fare Modeling Workshop." Participants in this 2.5-3 hour workshop will build a 4 bent timber trestle. Material for the stringers is provided so they can be completed later. All the wood and tools are provided. |
Workshop Schedule
The workshop will be presented at the Lone Star Regional NMRA Convention in Houston, June 10-12, 2004. It is scheduled for 9:30 am, Thursday. The cost is $25, and the class size is limited to 12. Onlookers are welcome.
The workshop will also be presented at the National NMRA Convention in Seattle, July 4-10. The cost is $36. There are two sessions, each limited to 24 participants.
- 7:00pm Tuesday, July 6, Tour 3E101EFW
- 7:00pm Thursday, July 8, Tour 5E101EFW
Early registration is available on the Convention website.
Tools that are Provided
During the Workshop, Black Bear Construction Co. and the workshop co-sponsors will provide all the tools needed, including the following:
- Glue
- Midwest Products Super Easy Cutter
- Black Bear TJ-5LHO Trestle Construction Jig
- Paint Brush
- Tweezers
- Sanding Stick
- Torpedo Level
- Modeling Clay
- Toothpicks
- Pre-cut and stained wood from Mt. Albert Scale Lumber Company
- Extra water based stain and Model Masters Flat Clear Acryl for touching up the trestle
What the Participants Leave With
Besides the knowledge and experience gained, participants leave with the following materials:
- The completed trestle
- The Black Bear trestle construction jig and all the included instructions and drawings
- NOTE: Black Bear will redeem the TJ-5LHO jig if the participant purchases a different Black Bear jig. This is handy if you model in a different scale.
- A Black Bear catalog
- Four Trestle Buddy joints, with the end pieces and screws to assist in installing the trestle on a layout
- Materials for building the stringers
- Left over bracing material
- A curved or straight section of Atlas track
- Class handouts
- A cardboard box to carry everything in
Workshop Sponsors
Several companies are helping Black Bear Construction Co. put this workshop together:
- Midwest Products is providing the Super Easy Cutter to cut the bracing material.
- Mt. Albert Scale Lumber Co. is providing all the wood for the trestles
- HO Scale 12" x 12" main timbers
- HO Scale 3" x 8" bracing
- 3/32" x 3/16" stringer stock
- O scale 1" x 2" and 1" x 6" basswood for the stringer spacers
- Atlas Model Railroad Company is providing the straight and curved sections of code 100 track. This track serves as a guide for the Trestle Buddy and the completed trestle. It is nice and stiff so it keeps the trestle lined up right.
Options for Completing the Trestle
|
Advanced modelers, or those who are afraid of getting bored, can tackle a curved trestle. |
Materials for the stringers are provided and techniques for building the stringers are discussed. |
|
Curved stringers are discussed in detail. Here, sections of straight stringers form a curve. |
Curved stringers are not prototypical, but they have advantages. |
| MODELING TIMBER TRESTLES CLINIC |
Abstract
Methods of building trestle bents and completed trestles are presented. Both pile and frame trestles are addressed. The techniques presented are appropriate for all scales in both standard and narrow gauge. Different prototypes are discussed, including BN, RGS, D&RGW and Alamogordo & Sacramento Mtns. Photos (models & prototypes) and drawings are presented. Easy ways to add a trestle to a plywood layout, or build a trestle on a bench, are described.
This is a standard, sit-down, one hour clinic. There are lots of slides and pass-around items to help you select which type of trestle you want to build:
- Standard Pile Bent
- True Frame Bent
- Notched Frame Bent
- False Frame Bent
The Clinic Handout is available on line as a pdf file.
| MODELING TIMBER TRUSS BRIDGES CLINIC |
Abstract
Mike Barrett, who designed the Midwest Products' HO Scale Fox River Bridge Kit explains the construction process presented in the kit. The Fox River Bridge is a Howe through truss bridge. The basic concepts are expanded to demonstrate a simple, straightforward method of building any timber Howe truss bridge in N, HO, S, and O scales, standard or narrow gauge. Photos of prototypes are presented.
This is a standard, one hour clinic. Many slides of prototype truss bridges are presented and the construction details are discussed. The Fox River jig construction is presented in detail. Truss side panels at different stages of construction are passed around.
Attendees are shown how to build a construction jig based on the prototype standard gauge and narrow gauge drawings. The resulting side panels are available for inspection. A completed N scale truss bridge is presented.
The Clinic Handout is available on line as a pdf file.
|
This is the Fox River Bridge in N scale. |
This is the jig that was used to build the N scale bridge. Notice how little detail is really needed on the jig. |
|
Two more side panels using the techniques presented. |
This is an O scale side panel. |
| CORK ROADBED - USING THE LATEST PRODUCTS |
Abstract
New cork roadbed components have come on the market in recent years. Examples are turnout pads, wye pads, sheet stock, strip stock, and the new Siding Strip. This clinic presents tools and techniques for using these components. Learn to build the classic track patterns that occur on most layouts: spur, siding, track ladder, wye switch, crossing and crossover. Methods of giving the cork a prototypical appearance are also presented.
This is a standard, sit-down, one hour clinic sponsored by Midwest Products. Props are used to demonstrate step-by-step procedures for taking advantage of the latest cork roadbed components available from Midwest Products. Techniques for fabricating what might be the next generation of cork roadbed components will be presented. There are some clever ways to use the products on the market now to build sidings at a lower grade than the mainline.
The Clinic Handout is available on line as a pdf file.
This Clinic will be presented at the National NMRA Convention in Seattle, July 4-10. There are two sessions.
- 2:30pm Monday, July 5, Evergreen 1
- 10:30am Friday, July 9, Cascade 11
Links | Photos | Contact Black Bear | Products/Price Lists
PO Box
26911
Austin, TX 78755-0911
(512) 467-8400 FAX:(512)
458-8765