When I decided to build a modular style layout I had to decide how to approach my backdrop.  I had a quantity of Masonite on hand, so using it for the backdrop was an easy choice.  After some thought I decided to attach the backdrop to each individual module using some screws.  The biggest challenge was getting both ends of each backdrop piece cut perfectly square so it would sit tightly against the backdrops of the adjoining modules. The cuts not only had to be square, the pieces had to be mounted carefully to the back of each module so the ends of the backdrop were plumb when the module was level. 

With the backdrop panels in place I had to decide how to finish the backdrop.  I have little artistic talent, so I knew painting anything more than a light blue sky was out of the question.  I considered buying a one piece commercial backdrop designed to represent the area of upstate NY I am modeling.  I ruled this out because I could not justify the expense of purchasing this type of backdrop only to cut it into four foot pieces.  I had previously used a LARC Products disc to print off backdrop photos for some small modules I had built.  That seemed to me like the best approach, so I browsed the LARC website and ordered another disc that offered a couple groups of photos that I thought would work on my backdrop. 

I started by printing off enough photos to fill the length of the backdrop.  I taped them to the backdrop to see how they fit what I was trying to model.  I also needed to see how the various groups of photos looked together.  One of the biggest challenges was the transition from one group of photos to the next. 

Below are three photos showing some of the backdrop photos I printed out from the LARC disc taped to the Masonite. When I had the photos in an order I thought I liked I would leave them up for a few days. I would assess how well they  matched the changes in elevation.  I also wanted to see how well the different photo groups would look when they transitioned from one group of photos to another.  I took numerous photos of my backdrop with the LARC photos taped in place. Almost every time I moved some photos, printed additional photos, or changed them around in order I would take photos of the layout.  I would send the photos to my son for his opinion.  Apparently the bulk of those photos were on the memory card that was corrupted, because these are the only ones I could find.  On a positive note, this means anyone viewing this thread is spared looking at all those "test" photos.  

Quote from: GPdemayo on March 21, 2024, 09:40:51 AMGreat progress Jerry, thanks for posting.....

Greg,

My progress has been way slower than I anticipated when I started this journey.  I lost the desire to work on the layout for an extended period of time.  Stay tuned for more on that...

Good morning.

The door is unlocked and the coffee is fresh.  Not so nice outside in my little corner of upstate NY.  It snowed overnight, and has now changed over to rain. Roads are wet and slushy, so I'm planning to stay home and continue trying to rough in the scenery on my layout. 

I hope everyone has a safe, dry, and warm Saturday.

Terry,

It is obvious you need some coffee, since you labeled today as the 12th.  I'll share my coffee, but by the time it gets from NY to FL it'll likely be cold.  That would be true even if it weren't in the teens here this morning. So, I guess you're on your own. 

Headed out to run some errands this morning, hopefully I'll manage to squeeze some layout time later in the day.

I hope everyone has a safe and warm day!

Good morning.

Twenty two blustery degrees here this morning with wind chills in the teens.  Forecast calls for a high in the 20's.  I'm taking advantage of the below freezing temps to clean out and defrost my freezer.  Food is already in the garage, frost in the freezer is starting to melt.  Based on past experience, this is pretty much an all day job waiting for the ice buildup to melt completely. 

While that is going on (with lots of towels on the floor), I'm headed back into the layout room.

I hope everyone has a safe and warm day!

Tom,

Outstanding modeling!  Your attention to detail shines in this thread, exactly like your others. Thanks for sharing this build.

Now in some ways we're hitting the wall as far as photos.  Once I finished adding some foam to have some change in elevations, I stopped taking photos.  No forum, so no photos, at least that is my excuse. 

In some ways that is not a big deal, I plastered some scupltamold on top of the foam to fill the cracks between the layers of foam.  Then I brushed some brown latex paint over that.  Here's the one shot I seem to have taken.  This also shows where I extended the filler section at the end of the room that spans the gap between the modules on each side of the room. I did that to give me a little more room to develop the river I use to provide somewhat of a break between scenes.

I did have one of my photo cards get corrupted not long ago.  I believe there were quite a few photos of the layout construction on that card and I'll try to remember to explain why I believe that in the next post.

Quote from: Mark Dalrymple on March 18, 2024, 03:12:03 PMLooking good, Jerry.

The view down the curving road into the township is great.  Can you manipulate (rotate clockwise) the covered bridge to give a view through the bridge to the curved road and township behind?  Alternatively, cutting into the hill a bit to the left of the bridge to allow that view.

Cheers, Mark.

Mark,

Honestly, I never thought to try that.  I did as you suggested but it really did not allow me to look through the bridge into the town.  (I assume that is what you were thinking.)  The curve in the road kept me from seeing more than a small piece of the town.  

Also, moving it meant the viewer could see the now completely exposed track that runs along the back wall next to the backdrop.  Originally I had planned to put a stone dock in the corner in front of and below the bridge.  Since I was fortunate enough to find an FSM MacKenzie Milling kit for a reasonable price, I now want to put it in that corner.  I used 1" foam on top of 1/2" plywood when I built my modules.  That kit needs more than one inch of depth below the tabletop for the water wheel and the basement.  That little corner piece with the unpainted backdrop is simply screwed to the end of that module.fastened to the end of the module.  My plan is to lower it an inch, and add another inch of foam, thus giving me the necessary depth for the kit.  This is another of the 20/20 hindsight things.  If I had used 2" foam I could have put that kit almost anywhere.  

I do like your suggestions, I have learned a great deal from you on placing structures to maximize sight lines. 

Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on March 18, 2024, 11:15:09 AMNice view block.  Looking forward to your progress.

Jeff

Thanks, Jeff.  

The bridge isn't as good a view block as I had hoped it would be.  The layout is roughly 45" off the floor to track level. I planned it so I could work on it while standing on the floor.  That hasn't turned out to be the case, as I use a step stool constantly.  had I realized I would need to use a step stool to work comfortably, I would have raised the layout 3-5".  That's the old 20/20 hindsight.  Still, it does somewhat disguise the fact the track runs along the wall at the back of the layout.

Quote from: PRR Modeler on March 18, 2024, 10:52:13 AMI look forward to seeing what you do with the landscapping.

Curt,

You'll need some patience because I have barely started to do scenery in one corner.

Jeff,

I really like the sand color you used for dry brushing the walls over the primer.  The light avocado is a great complimentary color, too.  I agree laser cut windows take a lot longer, but they offer a lot of choices if you want to model any of the windows in various stages of being open.  Looks to me like a well designed kit, at least so far.

Good morning.

Looks like I'm a late check-in this morning.  I'll blame that on taking time to enjoy the second cup of coffee in front of the bay window.  Snowed last evening so my yard is crisscrossed with deer tracks from their visit during the night. Based on the other tracks and some digging in the lawn, looks like the coyotes visited, too, and were trying to find some mice for a snack.

I'm planning to work on the layout while also catching up on laundry and some vacuuming.  I should mop the kitchen floor, too, but that task may have to wait for another day.

I hope everyone has a safe and rewarding day!

Jeff,

I'll be following along, too.

Good morning.

Not sure what the day will bring, lots of projects to choose from. 

I hope everyone has a safe and rewarding day.

The first photo shows the northwest corner of the layout, another way to describe it is it is the right corner furthest from the entry door. 

The other photos show the hill in the corner of the layout in front of the closet door.  I felt I needed to do something to break up the end of the loop track so people could not see the train make a 180 degree turn.  I have thought about putting a water powered mill in the right hand corner in front of the covered bridge in that small open triangular spot. I also have been considering using that corner for a bluestone dock.  The prototype D&N had several along its length, and in fact, shipped large quantities of bluestone to NYC for use in sidewalks and building construction.   

I have never seen a single photo of a covered bridge across a railroad track, but I felt I needed more of a view block that a truss bridge offered.  Plus, and a big plus, if it works for George Sellios, how can I go wrong?