Firth on Forth Meccano Bridge

Wallace · Firth on Forth Meccano Bridge

A while back my Dad visited the UK.

Something that caught his eye was the Firth on Forth Bridge in Scotland, which he took plenty of pictures of.

Finally he got around to making it out of Meccano.

It's 6 foot long and the trains on it are HO scale.

Here's some pics

whistleman

that's fantastic!

steamyjim

Brilliant

Wallace

Thanks for the comments guys

Next time he comes over I'll show him this thread.

Forgot to put in links of the actual bridge

http://www.glasssteelandstone.com...otland/EdinburghFirthofForth.html

http://en.structurae.de/photos/index.cfm?JS=24958

Rob

brilliant. that looks awsome. that would make a brilliant item for his mantle piece.

CCairns

That's very good, and the trains are very appropriate.

It is actually just called the Forth Bridge, being the first Forth crossing, with its neighbour being called the Forth Road Bridge. It used to be widely accepted that painting this bridge was a never ending job, because as soon as you reached the other end you needed to start again. In reality that was not true and it is currently being painted with new paint based on experience with North Sea Oil Platforms, and should last at least 25 years.

Sadly its neighbour the Forth Road Bridge is suffering from corrosion of the suspension cables and is expected to close around 2020, with approval for another bridge being announced, although no source of money has been found yet.

The Forth Bridge is expected to last beyond its bi-centennial in 2090.

(edit) Here's another online reference - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forth_Bridge_(railway)

And there will be steam trains running over it on Sunday 13th April 2008, LNER A4 Class 4-6-2 no 60009 Union of South Africa hauling the North Briton, and on Sunday 18th May 2008, LNER K4 Class No. 61994 The Great Marquess hauling 2 steam specials for the SRPS.

Hoping to photograph the first one and booked to travel on one of the 2nd specials.

(2nd edit) Here is a virtual viewpoint of the 2 bridges - http://www.maximized.co.uk/fifeguide/vr/forthbridge.shtml

Mamodman123

Wow thats amazing mate

johnreid

Wow, that is really cool, please pass my compliments on too.

IndianaRog

Wallace, that is simply stunning. Looking at the virtual panarama link provided by Chris shows just how good a rendition it was vs. the original. Your dad is a real craftsman, sure hope he has a nice spot to display that!

Lewis

Thats awesome mate

tmuir

Thats great, I even called my wife up who is Scottish to have a look and she hates my Meccano but loved that bridge.

James

Wow!! That's amazing

Les

Thats very ingenious as considering he had no plans. Thumbs up!

Nick

How long did it take?

He did a great job!

Wallace

Thanks for all the comments. It's really appreciated.

He got to see them today, and was real happy

Chris, thanks for the links and info. I thought my Dad said Firth on Forth. Turns out I didn't listen, and came up with that

He would love to see any pics you get

Nick, I asked him, and it took about 8 days of 5.30pm to 4am. He is retired and has trouble sleeping

Steve_S

That's a spectacular model! When I lived in Edinburgh I used to drive across the road bridge every day to get to work, and the view of the rail bridge never ceased to amaze me. They knew how to build things in those days, for functionality and looks... and to last!

Mamodman123

Wallace

LMFAO. No trouble here sleeping. I could do it anytime

I told him that today.

I said "when I am your age, I'll be sleeping those hours plus some"

He rolled his eyes.

CCairns

I did not photo the 'North Briton' as the weather forecast was very poor, but have just returned from an interesting day last Sunday, travelling on the 1st steam special, and waiting for the 2nd to go over the bridge.

So here's some photos of the Bridge for your father Wallace.

The Bridge is well used, and here is some movements whilst waiting for the steam special. First a First Scotrail Class 170 'Turbostar' 3-car DMU.

A National Express East Coast Inter City 125 (or HS125) with 2 Class 43 Diesel units & 9 Mk 3 coaches. Similar to your Australian XPT.

A Virgin Trains Class 221 'Super Voyager' (the tilting Voyager) 5-car DMU.

Southbound working with a First Scotrail Turbostar connected to a First Scotrail Class 158 'Express Sprinter'. That is 158863, which is on-hire from First Great Western, and carries the former Wessex Trains 'Alphaline' livery, with a First Scotrail sign stuck on.

And of course the reason for my visit, K4 61994 'The Great Marquess' crossing the Bridge northbound.

Hope your father enjoys these.

Wallace

Chris, those are great photos.

Thanks very much for posting them. It's really appreciated.
I'll get a chance to show them to him over the next few days.

Cheers

Ralph Laughton

Very nice looking bridge! We have just made one which we will be showing at the Telford and Ironbridge Meccano Society's exhibition at the beginning of May 2009. Ours is based on some plans that were published over 100 years ago and although we did not realise it at the time turned out to be 16 ft long!. You can find the whole story on our website HERE and HERE

Ralph.

Rob

nice site ralph, you should attend our meccano mayhem event at the museum in january.

do you have any more pis of the traction engine made by ssid beckett about 1/3 of the way down you page?

Ralph Laughton

Rob,

If that is the one at Abbey Pumping Station - I was going to come this year but work got in the way

What page were you on looking at the traction engine?

Ralph.

Dampfmaschine

Great stuff - The real one is only 3 miles from my home. It's true the correct name is the "Forth Bridge" but even on present day railway company posters it gets called "Forth Rail Bridge"
Official records state that 57 men died during it's construction, but many believe the figure was probably much higher. The company at the time could have suppressed the true accident and fatality figures easily. (No fatal accident enquiries etc in these days).
If I had £1 for every train I have driven over it, I'd be a rich man

but unfortunately I don't