Free Plans of Western Maryland Railroad Deck Plate Girder Bridge

A Great Scratch-Building or Kit-Bashing Project for Your Model Railroad Layout

Western Maryland Railroad Bridge No. 1276, the Sideling Hill Creek Crossing

Western Maryland Railroad Bridge No. 1276, the Sideling Hill Crossing

The westward expansion of the Western Maryland Railway after the Civil War ran smack dab into the Allegheny Mountains in the Cumberland Division.

However, using modern construction materials and steam-powered construction equipment, engineers were able to force their way through the rugged terrain, creating a railroad with six major bridges, three tunnels, and extensive earthworks while achieving an average 0.5 percent grade (although it did have some tight curves).

Bridge No. 1276, the Sideling Hill Creek Crossing, is small by comparison with some of the other bridges on the Cumberland division, but that small size makes it perfect for inclusion on a model railroad. The Sideling Hill Creek Crossing is a 145′-long bridge consisting of two deck plate girder spans carrying a single track on a slight curve, nearly 50′ above the creek bed.

These free plans would be a great way to scratch-built a prototype bridge for your model railroad layout, or you could modify commercially available structures, kit-bashing an accurate replica.