I'm modeling in HO. I have a backdrop that runs 16 feet down one wall that is straight. I want to run a track parallel to the backdrop but don't know how close is too close to the backdrop.
I may want to have some scenery along the backdrop such as a mountain, trees or distant buildings.
The area is 30" wide and I was thinking about putting a small yard in that area with the track that runs along the backdrop raised to connect to an upper level. It will not be connected to the yard.
So I was hoping to keep the distance between the backdrop and the track at a reasonable minimum distance.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Bill
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
You will need to have at least 3" min to do any significant scenery along that straight stretch.
This area has the track at just less than 3". It is curved and partially blocked from view.
On a longer straight area, like this one the upper double track is about 5". It allows for much more scenery and still looks believable working into the backdrop. This area is 36" wide and has a small yard. The elevated track @ the backdrop helped continue the effect.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Bill,
There is no right answer here. A mountain takes more room than a tree. A tree may or may not take more room than a building flat.
In the planning stage you lay this out. If you don't know if what you have in mind will fit, make a mock up. put a piece of track next to a vertical board and futz around with wood blocks and jars and what ever you can find to mock up your scenery. No one can tell you how many inches because they don't know what is in your head.
Now I know you are building that long yard. What was there that you need to include between the last track and your backdrop to represent that yard.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Howdy, Bill,
The rule of thumb I use is that the rolling stock shouldn't throw any inappropriate shadows on the backdrop. By that standard, a building flat (total thickness 1/4 inch) can be at bare clearance distance from the closest track. A vertical rock face can be modeled in about 1 inch of depth, with not much more for a forced-perspective forest (as long as the treetops are taller than the double stacks.) OTOH, if the backdrop depicts the, "Amber waves of grain," with the purple mountain majesties in the far distance, then the space between track and backdrop will be determined by your lighting scheme. A train won't throw a shadow a half mile long except for a few minutes at sunrise and sunset.
Probably the easiest way to handle the problem is to have trees and scrub underbrush along the track, high enough to keep the shadows off the backdrop. It just isn't very prototypical for the UP in Wyoming.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with rock faces and forest)
I appreciate everyone's help. The pictures are a great help also.
Looks like I'm going to need 5-6 inches to do what I want and for it to look right.
bogp40, Your pics look great. I'm also doing the Chessie system, although I am mixing all three B&O, C&O and the WM.
Thanks again,
I might suggest that you put some curves in your track so that you are not parallel to the backdrop all the time. They need not be sharp curves, gentle sweeps would work fine.
Have fun,