1:24 SCALE THROUGH HOWE TRUSS BRIDGE
Manufacturer: Lone Star Bridge & Abutment, 1218 A-8 Colorado Lane, Arlington, TX 76015. Price: Fully assembled, ready-to-install wood and metal through Howe truss bridge $485.00 (price includes shipping and handling within continental United States).
FOUR FEET LONG and it smells good, too. Yes, folks, Lone Star's owner Mark Smith is back with his biggest bridge in some time and if you see one you almost certainly will want one. The through Howe truss bridge began as an exact copy of a Colorado & Southern prototype but when Mark showed the first sample, most people suggested he incorporate esthetic improvements. The result is a "near copy" following prototype practice and, as the photo can only suggest, it is more than big; it is stunning.
The overall dimensions are 48 by 8 by 12 inches. In 1:24 scale, that works out to typical narrow gauge dimensions of 96 feet long by 16 feet wide by 24 feet high. As on all Lone Star bridges, the wood is hand crafted high grade mahogany, the truss rods are blackened solid brass rod, and the detail castings are blackened pewter; the deck timbers allow you to drop in LGB sectional track but, at additional charge, Mark will build the bridge with scale ties and spike down your choice of rail.
In past reviews we have pointed out the quality of Lone Star's workmanship and materials is unsurpassed. In our review of Lone Star's Hermosa Creek bridge, we noted that when Mark's hardware varied from what appeared on our plans, Mark was actually right and the plan was wrong. Only in the case of the size, number, and placement of some nut-bolt-washer castings might a Lone Star bridge stray from precise prototype practice and then it will be intentional. Mark points out his larger than scale NBWs look better, using fewer of them keeps down the price, and changing their placement becomes necessary when he reduces their number. In the case of an almost prototype bridge such potential discrepancies may be incidental but, either way, they fall into the category of artistic license and this bridge is certainly a work of art.
The bridge does capture the overall appearance and spirit of a full size counterpart and it seems unlikely even a fastidious modeler would find much to criticize.
The wood has a rich, satin, impregnated, weather resistant finish. The almost flat black finish on the metal parts is paint. Only Lone Star's trademark, the polished brass star, shows its natural color. The quality of the NBW castings is excellent, as is that of all other metal parts. Every aspect of the workmanship is topnotch. The wood-to-metal joints are virtually seamless. Every corner is square and clean; each piece mates precisely with every other. The end of each timber exhibits no splintering, rough grain, or fuzz; everything is satin smooth.
The finish of the wood surfaces seems more appropriate to top quality furniture than to an outdoor model. Lone Star still putties every nail or pin hole flush with the wood surface. It is impossible to detect a filling by touch and very difficult to find it with the eye. The glue joints are invisible and, as we know from reports over the years, the bridge is durable.
Even the custom foam packaging to protect the model during shipping is a work of art.
In the past, I have found the perfection of Lone Star's work to be thoroughly disgusting. Moreover, I find my utter lack of criticism of Mark's products (including this bridge) unnerving and hideous. I hate it when any manufacturer is able to impress me so completely time after time. And, now that Lone Star offers products so accurately reflecting either specific prototypes or, as in this case, prototype practice, I am even more nonplused. Finally, considering the time it takes to build a product of such obnoxiously outstanding quality, the price seems very reasonable. Few of us could equal Mark's precision and artistry no matter how much time we spent. I despise anyone with such an abundance of talent.
Regrettably, then, I must bestow upon Lone Star's through Howe truss bridge our highest praise: It is superb.-RR
