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Ore Bridge For A Lake-Front Steel Mill

Ore Bridge for Lake Front Steel Mills

 

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Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

 

The next major structure required for my steel mill-based layout is an ore bridge – not just any ore bridge, but one that is capable of unloading Great Lakes ore boats.  I’m referring to the kind with a drawbridge-type overhang on the waterfront end that can be raised while the ship is being guided in and out of the dock.  As with my other structures, this will definitely NOT be a pure replication of a specific prototype but [rather] a “plausible generic” representation. 

 

The inspiration for my model is a bridge at the US Steel Zug Island ore dock near Detroit, Michigan.

 

ore_bridge_zug_island.jpg

 

ore_bridge_close_frontal.jpg

 

A sketch (not to scale) of my simplified model appears in ob_draw_overview.gif.

 

Materials

 

Unlike any of my previous models, this one will be 85% brass – this is the only material I can trust not to bend or sag.  The frame, legs, and heavy bracing will be metal; the details like thin bracing, walkways, stairs, and handrails will be styrene.

 

Status

 

At this point, I have completed the brass part of the forward and rear legs and assembled the 10 interior cross braces.  My project was delayed when I discovered, after closer examination of John Teichmoeller’s photograph above, that the original legs I had built were totally incorrect so I needed to acquire the necessary brass shapes and build new ones (see pictures at links below).

 

 

Assembled sides of the two forward legs (below bridge level): ob_model_wide_legs_01.jpg

 

 

An assembled leg beside the brass pieces of an unassembled leg: ob_model_wide_legs_02.jpg

 

 

Two I-beam sections of a rear leg.  The long piece was partially cut at the ridges, then bent.

 ob_model_thin_legs_01.jpg

 

 

Diagram of interior cross brace section, assembled and ‘exploded’: ob_draw_inner_brace.gif

 

 

Assembled rear and forward legs: ob_model_all_legs_01.jpg

 

 

Partially-assembled top and side sections of interior braces: ob_model_inner_brace_01.jpg

 

 

 

Inside cross braces and frame bottom: ob_model_inner_brace_02.jpg

 

 

 

A stack of ten assembled cross-brace sections: ob_model_inner_brace_04.jpg

 

 

 

L-girders to be used for top of frame: ob_model_top_long_beams_01.jpg

                                                                            

…and that is where I’m at with the ore bridge as of October 20, 2003.   KJL

 

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