About This Accessory

A metal bridge of stamped-steel construction was included in every Stalin-era and Khrushchev-era train set produced by the Soviet Union in the 1950's and 1960's. The later bridge was a very attractive trussed arch-over span with two approaches -- each with six posts (pylons). (The earlier bridge was a magnificent suspension-type span with two abutments.) The later-type bridge includes a 12-inch section of track and each of the approaches has a 6-inch section of track thus accounting for the overall length of 24 inches. (The bridge is part of the track sequence and has the number "13" stamped on the underside of the base.) This bridge measures 5 inches wide and 4 ¼ inches high to the peak of the arch. The approaches measure 5 ½ inches at their widest point and taper to 5 inches where they meet the bridge.

The bridges were painted in various colors and the approaches were often painted in a contrasting color with the pylons painted a third color. The suspension bridge was first produced in 1951 but it is not known when it was discontinued in favor of the arch-over bridge. It is widely believed that the arch-over span was introduced in 1951 or 1952 and became the standard bridge for the remaining Stalin-era sets and all of the Khrushchev-era sets. However, while Khrushchev-era items were made as late as 1969, it is likely that this piece was discontinued much earlier.

Photos of the Soviet Arch-over Bridge
ABOVE: Light-blue Bridge with Tan Approaches & red posts
BELOW: Royal-blue Bridge with dark-blue Approaches & blue posts

Variations

The early suspension bridge can definitely be classified as a Stalin-era item only but it is unknown as to when the arch-over bridge was introduced. Adding to the confusion is the fact that drawings of the early bridge were retained in the operating instruction manuals long after the suspension bridge was out of production. There are apparently no differences in the arch-over bridge that was included with the later Stalin-era sets versus the Khrushchev-era sets. The only variations that have surfaced result from the various colors used to paint the bridges, approaches and pylons. Neither style bridge is easy to find and the suspension bridge is extremely rare.

This page is an information document only; nothing on this web page is being offered for sale. This page and all of the other pages from Our Soviet Archives were developed to assist you in understanding the components of the train sets produced in the Soviet Union during the 1950's and 1960's. These sets are known today as "Stalin-era" sets and "Khrushchev-era" sets. We have used pictures from our old files and personal collection to construct this area of our website. If you are interested in buying something, please view our inventory listings to see what we currently have for sale.

This web page was last updated on September 9, 2005. If you have suggestions for improving this page or if you see any errors, please contact us.