Manufacturer: Lone Star Bridge & Abutment, 1218 A-8 Colorado Lane, Arlington, TX 76015. Price: Fully assembled, ready-to-install, wood and metal Hermosa Creek Bridge $225.00 (price includes shipping and handling within continental United States).

Lone Star's model was worth waiting for. It is a very accurate reproduction and, as with all Lone Star products, the quality of workmanship and materials is unsurpassed.

Let's begin with the dimensions: 31 by 8 1/4 by 6 1/2 actual inches. In 1:24 scale, that works out to 62 feet long by 16 1/2 feet wide (across the top) with side panels 11 1/2 feet tall and 7 1/2 feet wide. Those measurements correspond precisely with those on our plans.

But Mark went a step further: He actually drove to Silverton and climbed around the bridge with a measuring tape! He corrected some inaccurate plan dimensions. Such attention to detail is typical of Mark Smith's approach to his business.

Now let's look at the variations between the model and the original (they are few and minor): First and most obvious, Lone Star located the deck ties to allow you to drop in a length of LGB or ARISTO-CRAFT sectional track. The actual tie spacing should be closer. Prototype ties are available on request.

The dimensions of the model's X-bracing are consistent throughout whereas, on the actual bridge, the size of the bracing varied slightly between panels. Mark standardized the size in order to minimize production costs. Without a scale rule, the differences are virtually impossible to detect.

Mark designed the bridge to rest on Lone Star's cast stone abutments. The real bridge has a timber bent with retaining planks on each end. Accurate timber bridge supports will be available soon, should you prefer them.

The model's metal end angle block castings are the same as the rest of the angle blocks even though our plan shows them cut in half. Mark says the plan is wrong; the real bridge uses the same castings throughout.

The size, number, and placement of some nut/bolt/washer castings vary from the hardware on the actual bridge. Mark knows; it was intentional. He points out his larger NBWs look better, using fewer of them keeps down the price, and changing the placement became necessary when he reduced the number. "Artist's license," he says.

The bridge certainly captures the overall appearance and spirit of its prototype. It seems unlikely any modeler would find much to criticize.

Mark built the model mostly of very high grade mahogany with a rich, satin, impregnated, weather resistant finish. He painted the white metal and brass hardware flat black. Only Lone Star's trademark, the polished brass star, shows its natural color. The excellent nut/bolt/washer castings are crisp. The other metal parts are of equal quality. Every aspect of the workmanship is topnotch. The wood-to-wood 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 would be appropriate to top quality furniture. Lone Star even putties every nail or pin hole flush with the wood surface. It is impossible to detect a filling by touch and difficult to find it with the eye. The glue joints are invisible and the bridge is durable.

Even the custom foam packaging to protect the model during shipping is a work of art.

This review has become awkward; I have no criticism.

As usual, I found the perfection of Lone Star's work thoroughly disgusting. And this time, more than the quality and appearance of the model impressed me; it is also a very accurate scale model. Considering the time it takes to research and build such a bridge, let alone one of such obnoxiously outstanding quality, the price seems fair. Few of us could match Mark's work regardless of how long we worked. If you want a Howe truss on your layout or have always lusted after the Hermosa Creek bridge specifically, you should seriously consider Lone Star's model. It is truly excellent.-RR