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Hiding a staging track

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  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Heart of Georgia
  • 5,406 posts
Posted by Doughless on Thursday, September 13, 2018 2:22 PM

Well, I'm not a fan of short foam type backdrops where its supposed to separate scenes.  Since you can see the top of it, I think it detracts from the scene rather than enhances it.

I'd simply go with a raised ridge of 6-12 inches, with another few inches of shrubs and trees.

Since you'd really only see the tops of the cars and locos, it would tend to look like another railroad's nonspecific yard that your mainline skirts by. 

Not perfect, but I think it would look better than the short backdrop, and it would be plausible.

- Douglas

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 2,360 posts
Posted by kasskaboose on Thursday, September 13, 2018 11:47 AM

I used scenery and painted it to appear like the countryside or rock croppings.  The croppings were gray, so that worked to hid the train.  Using a curve is a prefect way to hid the consist. Trees are less workable for what you mentioned. 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 1:01 PM

 On my previous layout, the plan was to hide the staging tracks behind a backdrop with building flats, attached with magnets. Nothing crazy like rare earth magnets, just low power stuff like the magnetic tape you can find in craft stores. The ceiling in the room sloped down so putting the staging close to the lowest point where it was too low for any effective scenery seemed like a good idea. Witht he backdrop/buildings in place, the staging tracks were completely hidden, but if I needed access it was a simple matter to pop off a panel. I never got that far before moving and tearing down the layout, but I did mock it up with some foam board and it looked like it woudl work out just fine. No reason the same thing wouldn't work with trees and low relief rock castings instead of or in addition to low relief structures. In m case, the only thing in front was my main yard, s popping out a panel or two to get to the staging tracks was no big deal, nothing to maneuver around or reach over and taller than whatever cars migth be standing in the yard. 

                               --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 4:42 AM

RayG8

I need to hide a single staging track.  I an thinking of using dense brush and trees to block the view but am concerned thay I might be able to see through it. Iam thinking of putting a piece of painted 1/4 foam behind the scenery 

Have you considered something like a 6" or 8" tall backdrop between the main layout and staging track to screen the staging track from view?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, September 10, 2018 8:56 PM

I built a 4 track staging yard.  I hid it behind a rock wall casting made of lightweight Brandon foam.  The Bragdon foam casting is itself a nice scenic feature.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • 82 posts
Hiding a staging track
Posted by RayG8 on Monday, September 10, 2018 4:16 PM

I need to hide a single staging track.  I an thinking of using dense brush and trees to block the view but am concerned thay I might be able to see through it. Iam thinking of putting a piece of painted 1/4 foam behind the scenery and was wondering if anyone else has already done this and what color paint was used.

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