2012-07-06 Update

Bridges- we don't need no stinkin' bridges. Oh wait, yes I do! I am trying to get the track laid, so I can paint the scenery base and move on to finishing areas of the layout. However, I'm having issues connecting the upper loop to the lower via the branchline, because of the bridge issue. So I'm taking something of a diversion into the world of bridge building, combining a few types of bridge together. The result will be hopefully something really appealing visually, that also has basis in the real world (which is sort of an obvious statement, given that we are modelers). Here's what I'm working with now:

That's the raw styrene forms, with some support columns. Here they are painted:

That is looking better. I'm combining a concrete slab span, a deck bridge and a girder bridge to cover the needed area. The concrete span is above- that's based on a Model Railroader from 2004, called (Bridges on the Levee. Very interesting, provided a few really good tips on scratchbuilding a set of bridges.