I need your imput

[Anonymous]

I need a little bit of help. I have a 5 x 9 HO layout and consists of 2 ovals (2 main lines). As everyone knows elevation towards the back gives an illusion of a larger layout so the outside line gradually increases towards the back of the layout. I elevated it using scrap pieces of wood. Anyway a siding, and the inside line that run beside the outside line are not elevated. I bought two very small bridges long ago and intend to use them beside this elevated portion of track.
So my concern is if I dig out the foam (my subroadbed - about 2-3 inches thick) for the bridges it will seem unusual because the elevated section will have no bridge.
I was thinking about putting in a retaining wall and gradually building up the landscape towards the elevated outside line and have a small gulley or valley under the bridges.
If anybody followed any of this what should I do? I also thought about making it a marsh (but it cant be too big or it interferes with the small town in the middle)

Please give your suggestions this issue has completely halted laying down the inside line. and p.s. the outside line less sidings is already nailed, glued, and corked....

[randybc2003]

I'm not sure if I follow your topography: Outside line elevated. Inside line & inside siding bridged. Ok. Put a "retaining wall" under your outside line for "viaduct". Swamp, slough, or lake under the other two. I think it worked for John Allen on his 1st. G&D. Although, I would not be afraid to take a knife to the elevated main line and install a "newer, heavier" bridge. This could be improved main line. SO WHAT! Model RRs were ment to be changed & improved!

Randy

[Eriediamond]

Technically speaking you wouldn't need water, lake,swamp,river creek, etc. You could protray your "mountain or hill" your upper track is on splitting into a gully and the railroad bridged it for lack of fill. Since your inside line is not layed down yet, I might suggest to raise it slightly so the bottom of your hill ends slightly inside of your iner loop giving your bridges even more reason for being there. Elevation doesn't have to be much, maybe 1/2 " or so should do it or 3/4". By the way, you have some wonderful scenery up there in Canada. The scenery along the 401 between Kingston and Brockville just begs to be put into a model railroad, especially a small layout and should give you some more ideas for your bridges. The same could be said for the area up around Sudbury and North Bay. Good luck, Ken [:)][:)]

[Anonymous]

If I understand correctly, I would make the outer line skirt a rock cliff on the side of a mountain or hill and the bridges carry the track over a ravine. No water except maybe a tiny pond or the swamp, just trees and rock.

[Anonymous]

thank you all for your imput unfortunately gsetter I cant use a rock cliff because its only elevated about 1/2 an inch even though I wanted to it looks like Ill look into a bridge and a retaining wall, buy both and see what works best. Thank you again

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by platypus

thank you all for your imput unfortunately gsetter I cant use a rock cliff because its only elevated about 1/2 an inch even though I wanted to it looks like Ill look into a bridge and a retaining wall, buy both and see what works best. Thank you again

Oh! I think see it now. Can you put in a backdrop to make the scene look like it is extended?

[Anonymous]

I might once the layout gets moved against a wall but for now....no. Im no artist and would have to buy one anyway. Ive never been a fan of them but my father likes them...