Replies

1. 
   TomT226 | Feb 18, 2010 07:17am | #1

   Saw a pic somewhere that had rails welded to some piers for a bridge over a small stream.  Cattle and tractor bridge, I think.  I got a 2' section I use for an anvil.

1. 
   DanH | Feb 18, 2010 08:23pm | #3

   The railroads sometimes use pieces of used rail for the supporting "beams" of small RR bridges.  They're not real strong, though, and really only good for maybe ten feet.

2. 
   Scott | Feb 18, 2010 07:24pm | #2

   >>>Because the new format is

   >>>Because the new format is a train wreck.

   LOL. That actually got a chuckle out of me...first one in a while.

   As for the beam idea, it's probably not an entirely bad idea, but you'll have a hard time getting an engineer or inspector to approve a beam for which the physical properties are unknown.

   Another issue will be the odd shape...might create some awkwardness with fasteners and dimensions.

3. 
   MGMaxwell | Feb 19, 2010 12:31pm | #4

   The Overseas Highway in the Keys [the original one, not the one there now] used the old rails from Henry Flaglers railroad as guard rails. The railroad was destroyed by two enormous hurricanes in the 30's. The RR was never rebuilt but the highway was constructed instead using the bridges and rails for the most part. It was very narrow which made it an adventure to trailer a boat to the Keys when a semi was coming the other way. Not a lot of clearance.

   Sorry, this was not to your point, but the RR rails were welded to uprights as guardrails. Last time I was there, there were some remnants on the old parts of the highway that are used for fishing piers.