Fascia design

[FJ and G]

On Saturday, I tore out the fascia on my layout and installed new fascia that conforms better to the terrain. I used drywall screws (which are sunk into the fascia and will be covered) to secure it to uprights and downrights (pieces of 2X4 screwed into the particle board that holds the layout.

My daughter will paint the backdrop for me this week. She asked me what color I'm going to paint the fascia. I gave the question some thought and here's the plan.

I'm going to paint the fascia to conform with geological substrate; rock strata, underground water, some petrified logs, some pipes, buried cans and trash, bones of Indians, and since the layout represents New Mexico desert canyon, I'm even going to paint the bones of a dinosaur. Has anyone else ever seen or painted fascia in this manner?

dave vergun

[Anonymous]

Dave:

That plan sounds interesting & like fun! Are there any plans to mount switches on the fascia?

I've never seen one like that, but it would be a hoot & give people something to spend hours looking at for detail.

Tony

[FJ and G]

Tony,

Yes; I still think it would be cool, even with the switch mounts. I'm going to be looking thru geology books on New Mexico. I might even discover some oil or buried treasure in the substrate! Who says fascia can't be exciting!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Dave, I've always been partial to black, though many people use green.

Your idea of strata is very cute, but you may be dissappointed with the results, as it could draw attention away from your model work, which is what you are really trying to show off.

The goal of the fascia should be to blend in and dissappear, and provide definition for the layout, not compete with it. This is why I think you would be better served by a solid color.[swg]

[FJ and G]

Big Boy,

you might be right. I will use some subdued pastels. If it doesn't turn out right, can always paint over it or try again.

I also suppose your scenery and backdrop could overpower the trains.

dav

[Big_Boy_4005]

Sounds like a plan Dave! It might be fun to do the strata in a couple of areas, especially if the fascia is very tall next to a land form, then transition back to solid with a sharp line. There was one spot at enterTRAINment that I wanted to do that, but never got around to it.

As a matter of fact, there is some discussion of this kind of thing in the May issue of MR, just coming out now. I can't believe I already got my copy, it usually shows up on a Tuesday, and almost after many other subcsribers have gotten theirs.[swg]