Making a Backdrop for Your Model Railroad Layout

Here's a good article about making a backdrop for your model trains O scale, N gauge trains or for that matter, any train gauge layout. This is something I've been thinking of doing for a while but I didn't feel I had the skill to do.  However, after reading this article about making backdrops, it doesn't seem so daunting.

Do you need a backdrop for your layout? Almost everyone who has a shelf type layout or a wall-hugging around-the-room type layout will need some kind of background to enhance their scenery and to create the proper environment in which to show and operate their trains.

Even if you have a small freestanding, tabletop layout, you may wish to have a barrier, or flat 2-sided divider, running down the middle of the layout in order to create the effect of trains moving long distances from one locale to a completely different area with different scenery on one side of the layout vs. the other.

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Incredible Driver’s Eye View Of Garden Model Railway

Normaly, I just focus on trains O scale but I jhad to share this incredible video of the gauge 1 model railway at Bekonscot Model Village, Buckinghamshire.

Rather than miss important details, here is the description from YouTube.

"The Gauge 1 model railway at Bekonscot Model Village, Bucks.

It's a 10 scale mile model garden railway of 1/32 scale, in a 1/12 scale miniature village. The line was started circa 1929 and has been updated continuously for 80 years. We strapped a camera to the front of one of the engines and sent it off - we've added some subtitles so you can see what you're passing. Model railways rock.

The huge model railway has evolved since those early years, from Bassett-Lowke LNER and GWR outline stock through to modern image British Rail - when at one time, class 47, class 37, Hymek, western class 53, intercity 125 and even DMU stock ran. In the early 1990s, interest in the railway's heritage regained, and it was decided to revert to a classic 1930s appearance. Therefore you'll now see classic GWR railmotors, EMU, GWR 94xx tank locos, LMS Jinty, SR Q Class and many more freelance locos on the route.

The whole system is controlled by computer, interlocked with hundreds of relays for points and signal operation. Note that the signals are missing in this video, as they are currently all being refurbished. The complex trackwork around Maryloo station is controlled by a Westinghouse lever frame in the signal box (where this video begins and ends) when the signalman wants to intervene. This train was preset to run non-stop - but of course would need to stop if another train was in the block ahead of it. This video took four takes to get right - we had to be nimble with the manual signals to make sure no trains ahead of this one stopped progress, or made it wait on the single track sections! Usually there are 9 to 11 trains in operation at any one time; a selection of them are seen on this video. Perhaps we should get a Thomas The Tank Engine for the line...?

We're in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire - which is on the Chiltern Railways route from London Marylebone to High Wycombe, Banbury and Birmingham.'

Model Trains O Scale and the Enjoyment of Collecting Model Trains

If you are looking for an enjoyable hobby that allows you to collect things as well as tinker with them, then you should consider model trains O scale. These miniature trains are very small models of much larger, real life trains at 1:48th the size, yet they are extremely functional. In other words, you do not just get these special types of model trains because you want to look at them, but rather you get them because of the fact that they can be powered to move throughout different landscapes that you design and build up. In other words, they are perfect for the creative types that like to see things in motion.

Whether you want to enable them to move across a simple track or have them weave in and out through a vast town, the choice is yours. Considering that the standard dollhouse scale is also 1:48, there is really a plethora of options to choose from to add to your masterpiece. And while paying attention to detail is important, the trains themselves are designed to be perfectly functional first. If that means sacrificing the accuracy on how they look, then that is ok. The same goes for the tracks that they ride on. While it is possible to stick to the standard two rail types that are more realistic, adding a third rail for power is sometimes necessary.

You might not be sure about where to start if you have never considered collecting o gauge trains before. There are several publications that help you to get up to speed on the fantastic hobby, and they also give you an opportunity to meet others with the same interests. You might check out, "A Guide to Modern O Scale" magazine or, "Pieces of the Puzzle." Either will help you to really get your feet wet and even guide you into designing your own P48 layout.

So whether you are already interested in collecting or want to get started with model trains O scale, you will have a vast world with a lot of possibilities to explore. You will appreciate being able to express yourself by creating areas for the trains to move through, and you will also love watching it in action.