N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: GreenDiesel on January 22, 2026, 02:49:07 AM

Title: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: GreenDiesel on January 22, 2026, 02:49:07 AM
A friend printed 3 bridges on his 3D printer for me. Here's a photo of the best one. I plan to ultimately paint it in LMS maroon. Open to any feedback re accuracy & other details. Thanks in advance, Rob
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/4386-220126010713.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157477)
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: Newportnobby on January 22, 2026, 03:41:35 AM
A good paint job including some smoke staining above the tracks, some advertising hoardings, lots of humans and maybe some barrows under the steps should see that blend in nicely.
It would look even better if you could somehow add some cover to the pedestrian areas, I reckon :hmmm:
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: Steven B on January 22, 2026, 08:46:30 AM
Fully enclosed supports weren't common - they should be opened out to four columns (with or without cross bracing). You might also want to consider adding smoke deflectors for a period feel.

Are you aiming for something prototypical? I ask as it doesn't shout "LMS" to me - lattice sided bridges were much more characteristic of the railway than metal sheet or concrete sided ones. Have a look at some photos of the real thing - there's plenty to be found online.
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: Moonglum on January 22, 2026, 09:17:05 AM
The footbridge would also look better with intermediate landings on the four main staircases, with an equal number of risers to each side. The headroom (i.e. top of track to u/s of the main span) should be no less than 35mm to represent approximate standard headroom clearances. Say 40mm just in case!

Tim 
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: ntpntpntp on January 22, 2026, 09:22:20 AM
Kind of reminds me of the old Lone Star footbridge

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/SKEAAeSwwdBpD365/s-l1600.webp)
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: Bob G on January 22, 2026, 09:40:23 AM
I kit bashed this Ratio SR concrete footbridge to give alternative directions of ascent on each platform because the platforms are staggered. You would not provide an access route just to a platform end, as you have at the back of your model.

The Ratio kit also has open supports as mentioned above, and is an SR modular design. Helps my layout look southern.

Bob G

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-220126093911.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157482)
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: port perran on January 22, 2026, 11:21:57 AM
My thoughts are that it isn't really relevant to an LMS themed layout and to me the double access steps on either side look a little strange.

Double access is fairly common at very large and busy stations but not at smaller ones.
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: GreenDiesel on January 22, 2026, 12:38:34 PM
Quote from: port perran on January 22, 2026, 11:21:57 AMMy thoughts are that it isn't really relevant to an LMS themed layout and to me the double access steps on either side look a little strange.

Double access is fairly common at very large and busy stations but not at smaller ones.

Thanks! Yes, it was the double-access and its height (being slightly too tall) that were my main concerns.
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: GreenDiesel on January 22, 2026, 12:40:04 PM
Quote from: port perran on January 22, 2026, 11:21:57 AMMy thoughts are that it isn't really relevant to an LMS themed layout and to me the double access steps on either side look a little strange.

Double access is fairly common at very large and busy stations but not at smaller ones.

Thanks for your feedback! So if it's not LMS, what other region/railway would it be? My hunch is that it's a bit generic.
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: port perran on January 22, 2026, 12:52:45 PM
Quote from: GreenDiesel on January 22, 2026, 12:40:04 PM
Quote from: port perran on January 22, 2026, 11:21:57 AMMy thoughts are that it isn't really relevant to an LMS themed layout and to me the double access steps on either side look a little strange.

Double access is fairly common at very large and busy stations but not at smaller ones.

Thanks for your feedback! So if it's not LMS, what other region/railway would it be? My hunch is that it's a bit generic.
I think that those concrete footbridges were used by the Southern quite extensively rather than other regions but someone might well prove me wrong.
Having said that, there was one at Trowbridge where I grew up (GWR/WR territory) but that was a footpath crossing rather than at the station.
I imagine it's still there.
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: chrism on January 22, 2026, 01:09:49 PM
Quote from: GreenDiesel on January 22, 2026, 12:40:04 PM
Quote from: port perran on January 22, 2026, 11:21:57 AMMy thoughts are that it isn't really relevant to an LMS themed layout and to me the double access steps on either side look a little strange.

Double access is fairly common at very large and busy stations but not at smaller ones.

Thanks for your feedback! So if it's not LMS, what other region/railway would it be? My hunch is that it's a bit generic.


Looks very reminiscent of Southern Railway pre-fab concrete construction to me.
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: GreenDiesel on January 22, 2026, 04:04:40 PM
Quote from: chrism on January 22, 2026, 01:09:49 PM
Quote from: GreenDiesel on January 22, 2026, 12:40:04 PM
Quote from: port perran on January 22, 2026, 11:21:57 AMMy thoughts are that it isn't really relevant to an LMS themed layout and to me the double access steps on either side look a little strange.

Double access is fairly common at very large and busy stations but not at smaller ones.

Thanks for your feedback! So if it's not LMS, what other region/railway would it be? My hunch is that it's a bit generic.


Looks very reminiscent of Southern Railway pre-fab concrete construction to me.

Thanks! That's interesting & helpful to know.

Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: F2Andy on January 22, 2026, 07:34:24 PM
I have a design on Cults3d that may be of interest.

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/railway-footbridge-package


(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/6734-220126193414.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157512)
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: EtchedPixels on January 22, 2026, 07:44:59 PM
https://yorkmodelrail.com/shop/n-scale/bridges-steps/n-footbridgekit01-platform-level-lattice-footbridge-kit/

is more the classic LMS look but for 3D printing it might be easier to go with the enclosed plate girder style footbridges that were used in some locations - eg

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/c/castle_bromwich/index.shtml

http://www.photobydjnorton.com/Stations/HamptonInArden.html
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: Gordon on January 22, 2026, 11:35:57 PM
my two penn'orth:

It looks a bit Southern in style.

However, it also doesn't look unlike the long footbridge at the north end of Leicester station

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwSmIy7jOf8S-ZGTXC7w5v2BG5M0KjD0uWrygx_bH0QnHyfhf47TPKCGHNqskti6PS9UMNU_ACEbcS03LACNsSCCc7IWd4idH-UL0Uaqvz78jGcVd7AsL-iFsmAg-_5e9fAMQUFst0Hw/s1600/45038321571_6eef7e8185_b.jpg

Personally I don't think the 'two ways down' steps look very realistic

Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: EtchedPixels on January 23, 2026, 12:08:14 AM
Agreed - whilst it's common for road footbridges I can't think of any rail ones offhand except for those where it's a major station and off a big covered concourse - eg Birmingham New Street, or under canopies in a few spots like Newcastle and York.
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: Bealman on January 23, 2026, 12:52:44 AM
Nice print, but definitely has a Southern look to it
Title: Re: Feedback re N scale bridge
Post by: GreenDiesel on January 23, 2026, 02:56:44 PM
Quote from: Gordon on January 22, 2026, 11:35:57 PMmy two penn'orth:

It looks a bit Southern in style.

However, it also doesn't look unlike the long footbridge at the north end of Leicester station

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwSmIy7jOf8S-ZGTXC7w5v2BG5M0KjD0uWrygx_bH0QnHyfhf47TPKCGHNqskti6PS9UMNU_ACEbcS03LACNsSCCc7IWd4idH-UL0Uaqvz78jGcVd7AsL-iFsmAg-_5e9fAMQUFst0Hw/s1600/45038321571_6eef7e8185_b.jpg

Personally I don't think the 'two ways down' steps look very realistic

Thanks! Helpful info.