| Elevated Structures |
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| BHFS ELEVATED Construction tecniques will mirror the WP. The difference here is that the BHFS will have a 26'8" clearance (2 inches) and will have a different design. I will use the cross bracing pattern that you see on the South Side lines and former Met West Lines. I may use H-columns for this line, but it's a long way off so no commitment has to be made yet. As far as track for these lines goes, I've been using Atlas, but I hear some newer products are coming out that may fit my needs better, so I will keep you posted. |
| My structure will be mostly be a hybrid of the different designs used in Chicago, except the Midway L, which just doesn't look the part. The first version that I attempted was based on the loop. WP ELEVATED This will be the first. I plan this to have a clearance of 13'4" (1 inch) so the Washington Grove Subway can make its descent with a minimal distance. The columns will be identical to the Loop, with support arches on the inside. It will go from a four track line to two, which will run in the center, because south of Roosevelt I plan to have all side platform stations, even though CTA seems bent on saving money by making every station an island. I am going to try and make the girder connections as seamless as possible without sacrificing strength. This will most likely entailhidden bracing, though where I hide it is beyond me. In order to keep the columns tense and avoid the Douglas Line Effect, the column bases will be valve core removers. The first thing I noticed about the pieces I'm using for columns is that they are the perfect size to fit. I had also thought of nailing through the bottom of the wood so that I could just insert a nail into the column, but I found that to be a little tricky. To get the effect of cross bracing, what I have done is trace out rectangular shapes with a #11 blade, score it 2-3 times, and repeat for the other side. I then install a very thin strip of styrene in the column to act as a divider, spray the appropriate color, and I have the columns complete. The last step is to take a girder side or an I-beam and simply attach the arches, which can be made with styrene and a compass. |
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| The mold box is laid with column footings in place at Wicker Park Ave. & Pershing Rd. (above) A section of street is poured. It now awaits smoothing. (below) For more info on this technique, click |