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
The inspiration for my model is a bridge at the US Steel Zug
Island ore dock near
A sketch (not to scale) of my simplified model appears below:
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): 
An assembled leg beside the brass pieces of an unassembled
leg: 
Two I-beam sections of a rear leg. The long piece was partially cut at the ridges, then bent.
Diagram of interior cross brace section, assembled and ‘exploded’:
Assembled rear and forward legs: 
Partially-assembled top and side sections of interior
braces: 
Inside cross braces and frame bottom: 
A stack of ten assembled cross-brace sections: 
L-girders to be used for top of frame: 
…and that is where I’m at with
the ore bridge as of
