I have read about a lot of great backdrop ideas in this forum. Unfortunately they are mostly for those of you lucky enough to have space for room size layouts. I am building my 4ft x 6ft n-scale AZ Northern Rwy layout as a table top. I will have a backdrop on 2 sides. I would like to have the corner of the backdrop curve. I'm willing to have a sharp curve so as not to take up much space from the layout. So I'm looking for suggestions, ideas, sources, etc.
I haven't actually tried it yet, but I recently bought a sheet of 4' x 8' .030 styrene for that purpose. It cost about $9.00 and I think it's going to work well. I've heard it can be bought in rolls at HD or Lowes.
If it doesn't work, at least I'll have a lot of material for scratch building.
- Harry
WXGAWD I have read about a lot of great backdrop ideas in this forum. Unfortunately they are mostly for those of you lucky enough to have space for room size layouts. I am building my 4ft x 6ft n-scale AZ Northern Rwy layout as a table top. I will have a backdrop on 2 sides. I would like to have the corner of the backdrop curve. I'm willing to have a sharp curve so as not to take up much space from the layout. So I'm looking for suggestions, ideas, sources, etc.
I recommend the reverse side of vinyl flooring. I made a very tight coved corned on my 3x5 N layout using that. I am very happy with how it turned out. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of that particular part of my construction. It takes paint very well.I was able to get a 24" wide strip as scrap for free from a flooring store. Hard to beat the price.
I used a combination of masonite and flooring for this layout for structural strength. My next layout will be done entirely with vinyl flooring, I am completely sold on it. I first saw it used in Joe Fugate's scenery DVD.
Regards,
Chris
How do you get to trains that derailed on that corner, simple you either stand on a step stool and reach out over your layout or pick up one of those grappers at a train show for under $10.00
Allegheny2-6-6-6 How do you get to trains that derailed on that corner, simple you either stand on a step stool and reach out over your layout or pick up one of those grappers at a train show for under $10.00
Any time you limit access to part of a layout, you can be sure that's the part where it will be the most necessary to reach frequently.
I would think through the idea of a curved backdrop very thoroughly on a railroad that size. Even on club sized layouts space is at a premium. That corner could house two industries. On my layout under construction I have a corner with 48" radius curves. I went back and forth about a curved backdrop and decided that it was the perfect place for a mirror on each wall as wide as the layout and a massive industry that strechs into infinity with those mirrors. A couple facing point and trailing point turnouts allow inbound receiving and outbound shipping traffic
If the cove is tight enough you can have the benefit of continuous surface and still fit some scenery or industry in the space. With the vinyl flooring you can bend it very tight and still keep a nice smooth look through the corner.
I used vinyl flashing (you can get a roll at the local home improvement store) because it takes paint well, is lightweight, and curves very tight if need be. It does need some support behind it though. I built a light framework of 1x2's.