Coming from the midwest I am wanting something different.
Has anyone ever had a storm as a backdrop? Lighting and such.
It’s been a few years back in Model Railroader, A modeler named Rand Hood did an article on winter modeling. It was so convincing it was almost depressing (I don’t like winter)! His hand painted backdrops were almost photograpic looking and captured the drama of blustery winter storms looming. No special effects were used, but that was one of my favorite articles for the way it captured it’s intended atmosphere. This was typical of all his work and articles.
Speaking of Rand Hood, who is also an artist, seems it’s been too long since we’ve seen any of his articles. Where are you Rand? Dan
OK, I went and dug 'em out. January '96 MR and Feb, featured a 2 part series on winter modeling. Jan featured how to paint the backdrop, as well as some other snow and ice modeling techniques.
Part 2, called “Cold spells and melting ice” feature rather a late winter effect: soggy snow, rutty roads,frost, snow on locomotives and freight cars,lots of good stuff to check out. Wear a coat, though. Dan
This is not a real backdrop on my layout, but I did digitally add this stormy backdrop into one of my pictures. I’m not sure how it would work as a real backdrop:
There is a modular layout group that usually exhibits at the GATS shows in the St. Louis area. They have a module with a working tornado. They have modelled a huge cloud over the layout. The spinning tornado is on some sort of track, drops down and spins along the ground for a couple of feet before going up into the cloud again. Add some lightning flashes and sounds and suitable destruction on the ground and they have a show stopper!
Not to mention w-a-y too much time on their hands! [:D]
Tom
Mabruce; Looks real good to me. Love to hear that whistle on a rainny day.
I recall one MR layout article where his operators didn’t like going up the end of one aisle because the storm backdrop, sounds and lightning flashes made them nervous 
KEEP THAT TORNADO AWAY FROM MY SCRATCHBUILT STRUCTURES!!!
Here is a link to a picture of the infamous tornado module:
I’m in Springfield so I guess I’m going to have to get down there and see that Tornado.
MAbruce I think I’m going to roll with a photo backdrop something close to yours.
We’ll see…
-someone also introduced me to the fact u can buy a light up moon and stars for the sky…potential
Travis