Lift Out Bridge Alignment Blocks

thingiverse

I designed these blocks as a way to align my lift out bridge on my n-scale train layout. One block attaches to the layout base, and one attaches to the lift out portion of the bridge. When the bridge is set into place, the blocks automatically align the bridge along two axis. The bridge can still adjust slightly along the axis of the teeth, but for my purposes that is great since the wooden layout tends to shrink or expand slightly with atmospheric changes. Keeping the vertical and side to side axis aligned keeps the rail aligned. A bit of change along the axis of the actual rail is tolerable and only changes the gap between the rail ends slightly. If you choose to take this and modify it, you will want to customize the screw hole openings and the notches in the top block that allow space for the screws that are holding the bottom down. When you look at the parts, you will see what I mean. You may also have to adjust the diameter of the screw holes so that the screw passing through the block doesn't exert too much force and blow out your resin if you resin print these like I did.