02-20-2009, 07:02 PM
I think you could salvage it. Think in terms of the bridge not only being strong enough to support the train that is going to use it, but it also has to withstand swaying ans twisting motion. You will need cross braces both ways to triangulate loads. In addition you should tie the pilings at both ends of the bridge together with triangles rather than bracing them to the bridge with just a few logs spanning the canyon, river, or what ever it is designed to span. If you have space on the scene (not sure what it is going to span) add two more pilings to each end making the trestle bents 4 pilings in a square with x-bracing in every direction. Then tie in some lower logs parallel to the bridge to give the bridge more depth, and tie them together with x bracing, kind of a wooden deck truss. It would not only support the train, but give you a more impressive looking trestle as well.