Suggestions please. I am looking to add a divider on my 4X8 layout to separate some scenes. How tall do you recommend making the divider? and how do most of you attach the divider to the surface
our host has a downloadable publication about building backdrops. I would not be surprised if lots of its content comes from the Salt Lake Project layout.
Paul
MR´s 2010 project layout series, The Salt Lake Route, effectively shows, how to employ a scenic divider int a small layout and how it is integrated into a layout. Worthwhile looking at.
I have a 4' long divider on my 4'x6' layout. There is a rock cut on on one end, blocking the view around the corner. The other end is a thick stand of trees.
The height depends on the height of your layout and the anticipated height of the viewer. My thought was to have it at least high enough so that I could not see the other side when I stood next to the layout. It would be taller on a low layout than a high one.
My divider is not centered back to front nor is it parallel to the sides. It is about centered end to end. This helps break up the squareness of the table.
I wanted a removeable divider, so I attached a 2"x4" as long as the divider to the benchwork. I cut a deep groove in it to accept the divider. To make a permenant attachment, just a couple blocks of wood attached to the layout surface and the divider screwed to them. You could also use a couple of small brackets screwed to the layout top and the divider.
For starters I have just painted the divider blue, blending white into the wet blue paint from the bottom up. I tried some clouds, but need to practice. Nice thing about the removeable divider is that I can take it out to do any painting on it. At present, my second attempt at clouds is on the "front" side and the first is on the back. I will take it out again sometime and repaint the first side and either leave it a nice blue sky or make a third attempt at clouds.
Hope this helps,
Richard
I take it from your post that you are using wood as your divider. I assume foam would work about the same way.
Yes, I used a piece of 1/8" plywood. No reason foam wouldn't work. To secure it, run a bead of caulk along the bottom and then attach a couple of chunks to each side. They could be carved into the shape of your terrain. Only problem there would be it would not be removeable.
Good luck,
recent issue of MRR covers this very well. Worth getting , lots of interesting "tricks" to make it work well
model in O. the Western NY and Ontario Railroad
i am using a divider on a 3 X 6 foot section of my layout. It is about 4 feet long and at the top about 14 inches tall. It is a arc shape. I have a hill that is on one side and level terrain on the other. Using the hill to anchor it, currently with a toothpick. I may attach a piece of velco in the long run.
On the side with the hill I want to paint some hills in the background and perhaps a view out to sea. Of the visible objects in the distance will be an industrial building with a tall tower. When one walks to the other side there will be the industrial building in the foreground as well as a river (leading out to the sea).
I am amazed at how much this small divider breaks up the layout and adds depth. It blocks the view to the other side and seemingly increases the depth to the other penisula. I have abent dogbone layout.
Modeling a railroad hypothetically set in time.