Hell Gate, or Sydarb.........

Lionel have made many different bridges for both their 0 gauge and Standard gauge systems over the years, but I think the most recognisable and charming of them all is their Hell Gate bridge, primarily intended for Standard Gauge layouts.  At 28 3/4 inches long it is a huge accessory!!  They were originally produced by Lionel from 1928-1934 in the original cream/green version, and from 1935- 1942 in white and red.  They have of course been reproduced in recent years and the one shown here is currently available, but extremely authentic none-the-less.  

Below: The Lionel version is a very good toy representation of New York's Hell Gate bridge,  built across the East River and completed in 1916.  Of course Aussies will immediately think of another bridge when seeing this photo, our  iconic 'coathanger'- the Sydney Harbour bridge.  Our bridge was based on New York's- they  are both steel through arch type bridges, but Sydney's is longer by 193metres (633'), and was  completed in 1932. Interestingly, on the Sydney bridge the top part of the steel arch doesn't connect at all with  the stone abutments as this is not necessary structurally, however the designer of New  York's bridge altered his design so that they did visually connect, to allay the fears of viewers  that it was not built properly! Before I started collecting Lionel or MTH trains, I can vividly remember visiting a factory in  Korea that was making these Hell Gate bridges for MTH.  This would be about 1993.  There  were lots of them awaiting packaging, and I was very impressed!! The plan for my Standard gauge layout requires two of these bridges, crossing a small 'estuary' at the rear of the layout.  I think they will be spectacular!  As they will actually be bridging something, I can just imagine the sound of the train as it moves onto the all-metal bridges!  Big, Loud, Fun!!