| LATEST GREAT NEWS : |
| THE CIMARRON PROJECT IS MOVING SLOWLY BUT SURELY! SEE THE CIMARRON PAGE FOR THE LATEST PHOTOS OF A COMPLETE TEST ASSEMBLY OF ONE TRUSS. WELCOME! Hello to everyone who came here via web searches and links. These pages hold the latest and most accurate information. There are a few old cached pages around so please always start with this page. COMMUNITY: I will be at the Seattle 2012 convention. I will have a table there and will be giving a clinic on modeling iron bridges. I will be bringing a couple of built-up bridges for you to see in person. SCIENCE: I am using yet another new rubber. It is a very hard platinum-based high-quality RTV from Silicones, Inc. that is proving to be excellent. With this new rubber and a change to single-sided molds on the Cimmaron bridge I have a lot more confidence in the longevity of the molds. I am using stereolithography to master most of the parts, multi-level brass etching for the thinner parts and laser cutting for flat parts. CASTING HOW-TO: If you are curious, I have posted my techniques in the Westlake Publishing Finescale RR forum. Have a look to see the behind the scenes of what it takes to make bridge parts repetitively. Forum link GETTING ONE: In its current state, my bridge model project is a true work in progress. I am spending time to explore and develop techniques to model the various parts of an iron bridge. When I have a completed bridge with parts that look, fit and function well, I make duplicates so I can offer small number of kits. Right now it is nowhere near a full time business so progress can seem slow- especially to me. Also, I have to limit the number available because the RTV rubber molds do not last indefinitely and eventually I have to move on to the next prototype. So, I do not take any funds until I have a kit in hand for you. I have a list for the Cimmaron right now. The Navajo is sold out for now but it may come back with etched brass parts. The other bridges will be along too as I can. ASSEMBLY: Once you have one in your hands, I believe you will enjoy assembling the kit and will appreciate the injected-plastic feel and appearance to the resin cast parts. The etched brass is designed with alignment features that make assembly a lot easier. ACC adhesive and simple hand tools are all that are needed to create a great looking bridge. I attempt to make castings with as little flash as possible so clean-up is minimal. It can be a bit repetitive, such as with the vertical beams, but once you get a system it will go right along. Email if you have questions. CURRENT BRIDGE IN PROGRESS: Check my page on the D&RGW deck truss bridge known as the Cimarron Bridge in the Black Canyon. It is the same design as the Tacoma High Bridge on the Silverton branch. It is about the same length as my current truss so will make another impressive model in On3. I have a great disk of photos to reference so it will look great. NEXT NEXT BRIDGE: I have drawings of the Lobato and Cascade Creek trestles. They are made to the same design. I have looked this over and decided it would make a great project. I hope to streamline bridge production with the Cimarron bridge and maybe we'll see this one in good time. I may make something a bit easier such as a plate girder bridge as well sooner. NEXT NEXT NEXT POSSIBLE BRIDGE: A very active S-scale modeler just sent me a file of photos of the through truss bridge in Ridgway. It will likely be a project in Sn3, especially if I get more feedback. Thanks for your interest in this project. Email me for more info, with comments or to express interest in obtaining a kit. Check back for the latest news! John Palecki |
JOHN PALECKI STRUCTURES 3339 COLLINGWOOD ST NE ROANOKE, VA 24012 email: John [at] jpstructures [dot] com 540-366-6470 (email is better, thanks) site update 5/19/2012 website contents, bridge designs, part designs and instruction manuals are copyright 2005-2012 by John Palecki |
WELCOME TO JOHN PALECKI STRUCTURES! THE PROJECT: CREATE THE MOST REALISTIC MODEL RAILROAD BRIDGES USING ANY APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE TO ME MY GOAL: SHARE MY LIFE-LONG FASCINATION ABOUT BRIDGES WITH OTHER MODELERS BY OFFERING HIGH-QUALITY BRIDGE KITS MY PHILOSOPHY: THE MODEL RAILROAD HOBBY NEEDS NEW AND ACCURATE BRIDGE MODELS. MY BRIDGES WILL FILL THAT VOID AND SET A NEW STANDARD OF ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS. THE METHOD: EXPERIMENT AND UPDATE THE MATERIALS AND PROCESSES THAT ALLOW ME TO CREATE A SMALL QUANTITY OF KITS OF EACH BRIDGE LATEST NEWS APPEARS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE. |
| D&RGW PIN-CONNECTED TRUSS IN 1:48 O-SCALE. (On3, On30 or O Light Branchline) SOLD OUT FOR NOW click for info |
| D&RGW PIN-CONNECTED DECK TRUSS IN 1:48 O-SCALE. (On3, On30) IN DEVELOPMENT updated 5/19 click for info |
| D&RGW TRESTLE (LOBATO, CASCADE CREEK) IN 1:48 O-SCALE. (On3, On30) PLANNED info coming |
| MOLD BOX FOR THE LACING ON ONE BEAM OF THE NAVAJO TRUSS Aluminum hard mold box, precision masters, casting |
Glenn Farley photo
Dave Adams model & photo
John Palecki
| UPPER CONNECTION OF THE NAVAJO TRUSS All the parts were modeled as they fir together on the prototype! |
| UPPER CONNECTION OF THE CIMARRON TRUSS First assembly of the new resin, etched brass and laser cut parts! |