Back about a year ago, Bob had been looking at metal bridges online but they cost several hundred dollars to purchase one. He found wood bridges course and blocky looking. He wanted to have a detailed bridge but not have to pay the big bucks for one. He realized he is talented at working with popsicle sticks / balsa wood. He was curious to see if he could make a detailed working bridge out of such materials. We started to tell people of his plans and a lot of people laughed at the thought - there is no way he would succeed he was told. This made him more determined. He started collecting stir sticks & tongue depressors from Dollars Stores, Walmart & Michael's. One day he read an article about a bridge named "O'Reilly's Bridge" which was being dismantled. We had actually been to this bridge previously a while ago while geocaching. He really liked this particular bridge and located some photos online. He then drew up his own plans and got to work. It seemed like every night he was cutting, glueing, measuring and building. Sometimes before work he would be at his little table glueing. He finally had it almost completed. The snow melted and he could hardly wait to get outside and snap some piccies. He still has a couple of pieces to connect to the bridge and then touch-up and finally sand lightly and then seal and it will be ready to go.
Here are a few photos he found on the web site HISTORICBRIDGES.ORG of the original "O'Reilly's Bridge".
And here is the "Bridge that Bob Built". Bob's version measures approx. 6 foot 9. Enjoy!
(Photo's By Bob)
And here is Bob working on the bridge this evening (03-16-2011)
UPDATE: October 5, 2013 - you have spoken and we have listened. We have received comments/messages about this bridge asking how it was created. Bob is now starting blog entries on such a subject - click here to find How to make a G-Scale Train Bridge out of Popsicle Sticks Blog #1 - Planning
