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 Posted - June 09 2018 : 11:15:52 PM
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Recently I had a scenery problem on my layout that was giving me trouble. I needed to build a highway overpass on my layout that would also help obscure a hole in the backdrop that one of my main lines passes through. The trouble was that the bridge abutments had to be built into previously constructed hilly terrain and line up perfectly with each other to support a diagonal bridge.
My first attempt to build the bridge abutments involved using Woodland Scenic's plaster concrete retaining wall castings. I soon discovered that the plaster parts were difficult to cut, modify, and glue together. The end result looked sloppy and unrealistic.
What I needed was a means of building walls that could be easily assembled and modified. I decided that for my second attempt to build my abutments I would use old Lego bricks.
The following pictures show the development of this project......
After making some measurements of the space that I was working with on the layout, I initially built my abutments on my work bench...
I would frequently test the fit of the assembly on the layout to make sure the abutments would fit properly...
Once I was satisfied that the assembly was shaped properly I glued the Lego bricks together using plastic cement. Then I sheathed the whole assembly with styrene plastic strips to simulate the look of poured concrete...
As the plastic sheathing process progressed I frequently returned to the layout to retest the fit...
Once the plastic sheathing was complete, I built the bridge spanning the abutments. For this project I used the concrete highway overpass kit Made by Rix...
Lastly, once the whole assembly was put together I painted it with Testors "Weathered Concrete" paint and the gave it a wash of Quick Age weathering solution....
The next step will be to add some graffiti and then blend to whole structure into the surrounding scenery.
I was quite surprised at how easy this project was to build using Lego bricks, if you have a project like this on your layout I highly recommend giving it a try. One word about cost however, DO NOT buy brand new Lego bricks for a project like this from a retail store, Legos are really expensive. Fortunately cheap used Legos can be easily found on eBay so I recommend doing some bargain hunting to find your raw materials!
Proudly keeping Tyco Pluggers out of landfills since 2016
Edited by - Srenchin on June 10 2018 11:13:55 PM
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Posted - June 10 2018 : 12:01:55 AM
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& a lighted bumper for that track that ends 
that true
I recommend garage/yard sales & even 2nd hand stores
Like Goodwill or Salvation Army or w/e you have
Edited by - microbusss on June 10 2018 12:04:06 AM
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Posted - June 10 2018 : 12:03:15 AM
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Now that's using the old noggin. Looks fantastic, just like it was poured there. 
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Posted - June 10 2018 : 12:05:25 AM
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Srenchin,
Great idea using lego to custom build the structure. Legos are very sturdy too. FYI, check out Salvation Army and Goodwill stores for used lego sets.
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Posted - June 10 2018 : 03:32:23 AM
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That's awesome, and quite creative, though I'm sure some lego enthusiasts would freak! But your results are great!
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/weekendrailroader?blend=1&ob=video-mustangbase
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Posted - June 10 2018 : 06:37:20 AM
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Wow!! As both a Lego and train fan, I am impressed. Excellent craftsmanship, and very resourceful indeed.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
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Posted - June 10 2018 : 08:07:47 AM
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Lego's are cool. As a kid without television (which would have rotted my
brain) I spent hours and hours creating Rube Goldstein contraptions.
Much like model railroading.
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Posted - June 10 2018 : 10:49:41 AM
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Nice work. Since my boys left behind a ton of Legos, I often use them for supports and to add onto structures along with using to fill interior spaces. Here's some examples. The stone work behind the 'Miami' sign is Legos plus the first floor interior supporting the top tower. The high rise interior again is Legos and sheet plastic along with the tower on the side.  
Master Of Plasticville
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Posted - June 10 2018 : 8:12:14 PM
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Nice idea - easy material to work with, form, modify, etc. Wouldn't have thought of that myself. Nicely done!
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - June 10 2018 : 11:31:33 PM
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So what kind of graffiti should I put on my nice clean abutments? I am modeling the early 1970's so I need some era specific language.
I was thinking about anti-war and counter culture messages, does anyone have any ideas?
By the way on another bridge abutment on my layout I have already used...
1.) Hell No I Won't Go!
2.) Nixon eats it! (with the "x" replaced with a swastika)
3.) Kill Roy was here.
4.) No Squares
5.) For a good time call Bobi 567-9305 (I couldn't use "Jenny" that is my wife's name)
I'm looking for more ideas.
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Posted - June 11 2018 : 12:31:56 AM
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Srenchin,
Do a google search on the following, select the picture option, and you'll see lots of graffiti:
1970s graffiti culture
1970s graffiti train
1970s anti war graffiti
Here are a few items I saw:
We all bleed the same color. "Bleed" is red.
Jacksons - Fabulous Five took off in the early 1970s
Make love, not war
Looking forward to the end result.
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Posted - June 11 2018 : 06:31:38 AM
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How about the following:
"Peace" - maybe with the Peace sign?
"TYCO"
"No More War"
IDK, just wanted to help out by suggesting a few.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
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Posted - June 11 2018 : 09:04:49 AM
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How about, "Visualize whirled peas?"
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - June 11 2018 : 12:17:16 PM
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oh um its Kilroy not Kill Roy
I seen a painting of a huge H under a bridge
the whole H was used for Hate Homeless Hopeless Hoover Hell
Obviously a Depression Era sign
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Posted - June 12 2018 : 10:07:17 AM
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quote:oh um its Kilroy not Kill Roy
I seen a painting of a huge H under a bridge
the whole H was used for Hate Homeless Hopeless Hoover Hell
Obviously a Depression Era sign
Originally posted by microbusss - June 11 2018 : 12:17:16 PM
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That's what I thought too, but spell check kept telling me it was incorrect.
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Posted - June 12 2018 : 2:30:23 PM
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| Visualize Whirled Peas. That is precious.
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Posted - June 15 2018 : 12:17:16 AM
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Well I planted the Lego overpass into my layout's landscape, here is how it turned out...
I think it turned out quite well.
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Posted - June 15 2018 : 06:34:52 AM
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Looks awesome!! Nice work!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
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Posted - June 15 2018 : 11:38:26 AM
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| Very nice Scott.
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