Garden Railway Forum

Other than the following:

http://www.glendalejunction.co.uk/RailClamps.html

Does anyone else make these or do other members have alternative ways of making a bridge easily removable for access?

Mine is just held in place by gravity. Three vertical pins at one end and two at the other prevent it from being put in the wrong way around (not that it would actually make much difference). Rail joiners have a tab soldered to their undersides for easy sliding.

I designed my over pond bridge to be lift in - lift out, but it is not designed to be frequently lifted, so I just rely on the peco fishplates. Not much help - sorry.

Thanks guys.

I like what you have done Tony. Once I get the bridge I will see how heavy it is as simply slotting it into place may be the answer.

Were those made by Hilmann? I've used a set on my lift out bridge and they do work without the need for tightening the grub screw (if your track laying is level ). I have seen dowels and sliding fishplates work just as efficiently. I've also seen a domed nut underneath popping into a right sized hole, variation on a theme..

I have a piece of T-section ali screwed upside down to the end of the deckboards either side of the gap. The bridge sits on the protruding lips and a small piece of ali angle pop-rivetted either side at both ends, holds the alignment. I do have two small bolts (no nuts) pushed through holes in the end frames to help with staying place as well, but tbh they are a bit pointless. I've also got sliding rail joiners but don't usually bother with them.