I appreciate your input/comments/suggestions.....
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
As to the second comment: Nevermind, we covered that in the other thread.
As to the first, I think a significant way realism is typically breeched is when we see the transistion from the tracks or benchwork to the backdrop. A horizontal plane meets a verticle plane, and when that happens, it really takes a deft touch to convey the sense that the horizontal plane continues past that point.
So by pulling the mine tipple away from the backdrop and leaving a space there, you now create a problem that's inherently hard to solve. IMO, the best way to convey infinity is to conceal the point where the tracks meet the backdrop. IOW, place the tipple over the meeting point.
I'm trying to be conceptual here. Hope that makes sense.
Its your layout and you may have other specifc plans or tastes, but I'm speaking in generalizations as to what is typically hard to pull off.
- Douglas
Doughless .... I would probably just abutt the tipple against the backdrop so the hoppers are underneath the tipple. This conceals the point at which the tracks meet the backdrop so you really don't have to do anything else to convey the notion the tracks continue beyond into infinity if you like. Scenic the right side hole with a tailings conveyor over the opening.
.... I would probably just abutt the tipple against the backdrop so the hoppers are underneath the tipple. This conceals the point at which the tracks meet the backdrop so you really don't have to do anything else to convey the notion the tracks continue beyond into infinity if you like.
Scenic the right side hole with a tailings conveyor over the opening.
That is an idea that needs to be considered.
Not sure how I would tackle that issue. I see over in your other coal mine scene thread where you're putting a tunnel portal over the opening.
Your basic problem is that you're trying to represent something that takes a lot of length in the prototype with tracks that are about 2 feet long and a coal mine less than a foot from the backdrop. I'm not sure there is a great way to do it. I would probably just abutt the tipple against the backdrop so the hoppers are underneath the tipple. This conceals the point at which the tracks meet the backdrop so you really don't have to do anything else to convey the notion the tracks continue beyond into infinity if you like.
Edit: Not sure how I would tackle that issue. I see over in your other coal mine scene thread where you're putting a tunnel portal over the opening.
If one were to use a mirror wouldn't the backside of the coal mine structure have to be camouflaged... including the tipple support post, etc?
And then how many cars would appear in the image if only 1, maybe 2 cars exist between the tipple and the back wall?
...the 3 tracks under the tipple going into the back wall
I Googled "Empty coal train" and found the photo you posted Brian, along with a couple of images of two tracks, and more, of empty cars.
I don't think todays modern aluminum coal gons would fit your time period, would it?
I like the mirror idea.
Mike.
My You Tube
Brian, part of the issue with using a backdrop would be the viewing angle. The realism gets thrown off as you move around the layout because you will often look at the backdrop from an angle other than the angle the picture was taken. If you used the above picture on your layout, it looks like you would be viewing the string of cars from standing on the tipple itself, hardly an angle you would be viewing it from.
A mirror would allow the angle to move along with you, but as you noticed, concealing the edge of the mirror can be an issue. Many have found success by using other buildings or hills/trees along the sides to conceal the edges.
Still, you may feel that having either an imperfect backdrop or mirror might be better than nothing all.
gregc have you considered using a mirror?
have you considered using a mirror?
Thought about a mirror, but it began to get difficult thinking about masking the backside of the mine structure so it did not replicate in the mirror,...plus other problems. Thats when I went back to the idea of just a photo backdrop.
Google searched "coal train images" and got these. Unknown if there is one that would have a satisfactory viewing angle.
https://www.google.com/search?q=+coal+train+images&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjrn5POh8TlAhUSz1MKHTzHDwEQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=+coal+train+images&gs_l=img.12..0j0i7i30.32882.43594..45012...0.0..0.79.1071.18......0....1..gws-wiz-img.hO3JuB3LO20&ei=FYy5XavBJZKezwK8jr8I&bih=657&biw=1366
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
I'm looking for a good existing image, or a 'how to create' a good image of a string of coal cars fading off into the background. I'm locating my coal mine loading tipple very close to the backdrop, and I would wish for that backdrop to convey an image of 3 tracks of coal cars waiting to be loaded under the tipple, then exiting out into the layout space. I would like it to be a string of cars rather than dead end tracks. I'm sure that there have been a number of other modelers that have sought the same, but I have yet to find such an image??