A friend has a layout in the shape of a capital "E" and the centre peninsula (about 20' long) has a scene divider down it. He use to like to follow his trains around the layout but now likes to see the trains from anywhere in the room. Specifically he likes to do switching in his yard while keeping an eye on the mainline where he will have a train or two running. So he is reworking that part of the layout and removing the divider to allow full view. It was not a mistake that he put it in, just a change of how he spends his time running trains and maybe slowing down a bit where he now spends more time on his stool sitting and just watching.
So has anyone else removed a centre divider? If so why?
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Well, I have never removed one, but I have built layouts with peninsulas without having a brackdrop divider.
On my new layout I am going to experiament with the idea of a low "backdrop" on the two peninsulas.
I prefer the open feel, at leat I always did years ago. We will see.
Sheldon
I only had one layout with a penninsula, the "Dream House" STRATTON AND GILLETTE.
This penninsula had 72 inch radius curves (in N scale!), so the penninsula was hollow. As such, it had to have a backdrop going around it.
All other SGRR layouts have been against the wall with the backdrop on the wall. No center dividers.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Somewhat related, in principle, I suppose?
While developing the around-the-walls layout, I had 2 tracks going into what would and did become a tunnel for staging all along one long wall. Then, parallel to the tunnel was a long visible dead end spur. I discovered I liked being able to see the trains continue around the loop through the staging. So I continued that visible spur all the way around and connected it for continious running.
Staging is now hidden, and with a 3rd track even, but I can also run trains visibly all the way around the layout.
Kevin, Im trying to imagine 6 foot radius curves in N scale! Dan
SouthgateKevin, Im trying to imagine 6 foot radius curves in N scale!
They were beautiful, double tracked and super elevated.
Unfortunately, scenery on that section was never finished.