Railworks America

Here's a brand new iron truss bridge that I'm building in 3D Crafter only to help gain some experience.

No part of this is coming from sketchup, instead I'm building it in only 3D Crafter Pro.


Some more progress.


Notice the I beams that make up the bridge.

Laying the bottom beams, then next will be the top beams and then the main support beams that run below the bridge.


I finished the lower support beams and the main support beams.

Some more progress on the bridge, started on the top support beams which run along the top of the truss.



I've finished the top beams and have now started on the cross beams that help to hold the bridge together. With the introduction of the iron truss bridges a train bridge could then support more weight then a wooden bridge and a train didn't have to slow down while crossing it.


Today, most train bridges are built out of steel rather then iron because it's a stronger metal.


Progress might be stalled for about a week though because of the coming hurricane.

Some more progress, the bridge is coming out very well.

Yep, looks great!

Working on the outer frame braces. Each beam is bolted to the beams and without these the bridge would collapse.







These first came into existence in the early 1900's and were common until around the early 30's and 40's. Later they were replaced by steel bridges which are stronger then the steam era iron truss bridges. Not sure if into the present day is iron truss bridges are still built.

This is a representation of a vintage steam era iron truss train bridge.





P.S, am I adding too much detail to it, building the bridge in 3D Crafter.

Looks nice, but the parts seem massive to me. Pictures on the web show more slender bridges.
Difficult to be sure without an item for comparison, such as a loco.
Have you found real dimensions for the parts (width and depth)?

This is of course a test bridge, I don't have any measurements. It's a remake of my older bridge actually.

I have seen some massive bridges though, there is a old one where I live that looks similar to this one. Outside Mobile of Alabama there is a old train bridge that isn't used any longer.

For me this is a big step to be able to build a bridge in 3D Crafter without having to use sketchup to shape the parts, each part is cut out and shaped special for the bridge.

Also, once done this bridge will most likely have both a double version and a single version.

Next will be the upper outside braces and then the inner braces and the bridge will be closer to completion.

Also, leave it to be known that iron was much weaker then steel and therefor the parts had to be thicker to sustain the weight of the train and all the train cars. Later stronger steel replaced the weaker iron bridges and therefor could be thinner in part width. Iron is a much softer metal then the harder steel.

Some more progress on the bridge. Working on the upper outer braces.

Some more progress on the bridge. Got the outer braces finished and have got the inner bottom braces in. Next are the inner upper braces that help brace the top of the bridge.

The bottom inner braces are these two long beams that run the length of the frame.






I must say that the bridge is coming out great and will look amazing in the game once it's finished. Still a while left to go before it will be ready.

Which shader are you using (the one that goes in the Custom Fields > RailSim) ? The best one to use would be TrainBumpSpecEnvMask.fx. For that you need a Bump Map for one of the texture slots in the material palette. If you haven't already got one, let me know and I'll send you one I made some time ago to give the effect of cast iron. It really does add to the realism.

Not sure what that is actually, if you want send it over.

Also, working on the deck for the bridge.



The deck is now finished, all it needs now are some tracks, preferably rails without any gravel under it.

The first version of the bridge in game.

trainbumpspecenvmasl.fx shader is expensive to use in the game for things other than locos. its not recommended to use this for scenery objects.

eyein12 wrote:trainbumpspecenvmasl.fx shader is expensive to use in the game for things other than locos. its not recommended to use this for scenery objects.

I agree that it's not a good idea to use on scenery objects like houses or trees that are going to be placed many times in the scenery, but for a bridge that you only see once in a while, I think it's alright to use it, if it adds to the feeling of being there.

Not sure why, and don't know why it doesn't appear to have a shadow, probably has something to do with 3D Crafter. Steam emmitter is coming from the steam locomotive, should look fine when used in the game.

Anyways, I will be updating a couple things on it and doing a couple more versions before I release it anyways, what do you think of it so far though.