Hi Guys,
I wrote the following article and submitted it to “Model Railroader Magazine” for potential publication. The editor thought that my idea was good but very similar to those in recent articles. I disagree. I’ve read ALL the articles on adding backdrops and my idea is very different because it uses a material that nobody has thought of before. The editor also thought that my idea wouldn’t work for backdrops higher than 15". I have to tell you that he is wrong. It will work for much higher backdrops but I didn’t want to waste my time trying to convince him. Anyway, so what if I don’t get published in Model Railroader. I’d still like to share this idea with you and have posted 4 pictures below that go along with my article. I think that after reading below, you will agree that I’ve come up with a simple approach for adding backdrops to a layout.
A SIMPLE APPROACH TO BACKDROPS
For the twelve years that I’ve been in model railroading, I’ve seen many articles on how to build and install backdrops. Ideas have ranged from building 1 by 2 inch or 1 by 4 inch “walls” on which to affix Masonite, sheet rock or plywood sheets. These methods required two sheets of backdrop material, one for each side, if the backdrop is to run down the middle of a peninsula. Other methods included fastening batten strips to concrete walls, again providing a support on which to fasten the backdrop. Friends in the hobby have used several of these methods with fine results, but I wanted a “better way”. I wanted a support that could be easily bent to allow for curving the backdrop along inside corners and other places where flexibility was required. I determined that 1/4" Masonite is very rigid and would probably stand straight and secure if just mounted along the bottom edge. Therefore, if I could find a way to secure it along the bottom edge, I could use just one sheet of Masonite, finished on both sides, down the middle of my peninsulas.
Very neat idea and innovative approach to supporting a center peninsula backdrop!! While I have no “free-standing” peninsula (mine is supported by a mini stud wall), it seems like a perfect idea for those that do. In particular, I can see how modular clubs could benefit from your method.
By the way, just because one publication says no, doesn’t mean another won’t say yes. Have you considered submitting your article to RMC, RMJ or MRG? Maybe they haven’t covered the subject as extensively as MR. It seems ideal for those mags - maybe not quite so much for MM. As a published author in MR, I applaud your efforts and willingness to share your ideas with your fellow hobbyists. I can appreciate the amount of work and thought that goes into a manuscript.
Don’t give up, but thanks for sharing here. Another great example of thinking outside of the box! Kudos!!
I can’t say that yours is an innovative approach due to my relative inexperience, but it sounds like a very good method, and should work for most people.
It is quite innovative, and has nothing to do with anything that has been published, ever. The support method is the key, and could be covered in a single page of text and a couple photos. This isn’t about painting backdrops.
Unfortunately, I can’t benefit from this idea, as I am building a double deck layout, and my backdrops must be fastened to the supporting structure.
As others have suggested, there are other magazines out there that would possibly use your work. I’ve had articles refused by one then used by another. First I’d delete your item in this thread!
Mondo, this looks like a good idea and way to deal with backdrop(s), in a simpler way! [:)] Thanks for posting this - I’ll be printing this out for reference. I’ll also see if our local Lowe’s - don’t have a HD in this area - has this item or something almost identical to it. If I find out, I’ll post back here for those without an HD in their area.
Right on. MRR has never mentioned this product or anything like it (I think that they respond to a lot of submissions with that line. Why??) Any it looks like a good idea to me.
Thanks for posting it and try some other publication,
Thanks Mondo,I think you are on to something just by reading the comments left behind,I will give it a try on my own layout and keep you updated on progress.
Mondo,
Great idea. After I get rolling on the new layout, I am going to look into how this will work
into my plans. I will definitely bookmark this thread for future reference. Thanks. Dave
Hi K,
Yes, MR does pay a nominal amount for articles…something like $250.00 per page. I didn’t write the article for the money. I just thought that many guys out there, especially the modular guys (as mentioned by a guy above), would greatly benefit from this approach. I recalled my buddy spending hours and hours building a 2by4 wall down the middle of his penninusula and then sheetrocking both sides. Not only was it difficult to build but took up a loot of real estate.
I would submit to others, RMC, NMRA etc. Mags can be funny, about 10 years ago I came up with a way to build a tethered throttle for DC that used about $9 in Radio Shack parts and required no diodes or chips etc., very easy assembly and use. I wrote an article and nobody wanted it until the NMRA accepted it for the Bulletin. This was in 1995, still haven’t run it yet !! This was about the time they started taking advertising, I have wondered if the mags were worried about companies that made throttles getting mad at them for publishing a cheaper alternative??
Whoo - unless things have gone WAAAY up in the past few years, this isn’t accurate. They paid US$80.00 per page for many years. Most other magazines did the same until recently. I had an article in “Model Railroading” (MRG) last year and got $60.00 a page. When I inquired why the drop from the previously paid $80., they replied it was due to the decline in circlulation.
MR and other mags also used to pay $125.00 for a cover photo.
I for one think your idea is great and I will certainly consider it when I get that far. This article would be more informative and useful than some that the MRR staff write. Don’t get me wrong I love the mag but it seems like some of the articles by staff are lots of fluff to fill up a page with no real useful message. Probably will get blackballed for this one[B)]
Terry[8D]
They ought to do it as an MR illustrated back page idea. I’m surprised they missed that!
If it’s any consolation, I’ve also had article ideas rejected by MR, and I’ve had trackside photos rejected by MR, so you’re not alone. You win some, and you lose some. Just don’t quit submitting things for publication. [swg]
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the note. The editor who rejected my idea did say he might save it for a back page idea but I needed to drop him a note. I was too disgusted to bother.