I have a 4.5 x 8 layout. When I originally conceived of the layout design, I had envisioned a U shaped backdrop that ran along the two sides and back of the layout and everything could be run from the front.
Well, that is not happening. I cannot reach the back of the layout for uncoupling. Furthermore, if I plan to do any operations on this layout, I’ll have to rewire and split my control panels so that I can throw switches from the back. I’m also going to install three staging tracks to the back of the layout, so if I had a backdrop I would have to reach over it as well as the staging tracks. (I won’t be able to see the staging tracks from the front even without a backdrop.
Ideally, I would put Kaydee magnets on each of the spurs and sidings and main and everything could be done from the front. Then I could put the backdrop up as planned. But from what I’ve been told about magnet uncoupling, that even when things are well tuned. You’re still going to need some 0-5-0 assistance.
Also one of the most spectacular sceniced areas will not be able to be seen from the front, a narrow canyon with striated rocks–except from the top of course.
Another option would be a lower backdrop say 6" that could be reached over. Just enough to show some sky.
Still another option would be to have the backdrops on the sides, and lower in the center for easy reach.
I know you guys can’t make my decision for me. But this has to be an issue that 4x8 guys have dealt with before. What is normally done?
What about putting the backdrop on the wall or on a removable panel as suggested above? the other wild possibility is to make the back the front and put the panel on the former front. Much easier to add and subtract stock with “the hand of God” in the yard than out in the seniced areas. J.R.
I don’t remember how you have set up your layout, but how about a backdrop down the middle, that creates two seperate scenes and gives them both nice backdrops?
Most who have 4X8 layouts, have put the backdrop or some form of divider (i.e. a high ridge, tall buildings, etc) down through the middle of the layout. What this does is to divide the layout into two seperate scenes. And it also makes any trackwork or structures easily reachable, because you’ve only have to reach in half the width of the layout (2 feet for a 4X8)
Dan
The problem is not derailments. The problem is uncoupling cars, doing runaround moves, etc. So if it was tall and removeable, it would be gone all the time.
I need another (read updated) overall view of my layout.
The front is the side with the bridge. Yoshi, one down the midle won’t work, but if I was planning a new 4x8 layout (which I wouldn’t) I’d certainly have one down the center. Dan, although it is a very good idea, I don’t thing many people actually put them down the center. By the time model railroaders are that sophisticated, they are building something else
The idea of the backdrop on the wall is intreguing, but I can’t see it working in my situation. I’m going to have to move it acouple times in the next year or so while I’m remodeling the basement.
First of all, delete that little-bitty oval toward the rear of the picture since it’s ill-suited to the trackplan to begin with. Place a fairly tall scenery divider diagonally across the layout from lower left to upper right in the picture. Locate you power supply eith at the near or far end of the board and use a tethered handheld controller for operation. Most any other solution will be a make-do, at best.
Re your comment of central dividers, be advised that they are far and away the most common type employed on any island or peninsula layout.
i think you’ve reached two of the limitations of the 4x8 , unless you can put a dividing backdrop down the middle , there is no way to conceal one side of the layout from the other , and operating the layout really needs walk-around control (although i don’t really consider that a limitation since it’s more fun anyway!) . i’d get a UP5 (or 2) and a UT4 , you know you’re going to need them for the big layout eventually , and just don’t worry about the backdrop
I have a UP5 (3 total) on the other side of the layout. The problem is that when I’m there, the control panel is still out in front. I’m thinking of splitting the control panel and rewiring the whole layout. But there will be some staging tracks in the way.
free-standing (your original 4x8x4 u-shape, just free-standing. Basically the same idea as #2, but might be easier to do than having to worry about how it attaches to the layout and if it’s a strong enough attachment…
I doubt you’d be happy with it for long, Chip. You’ll always be looking over it, one way or the other, from one side of it or the other, and having to reach over it, too. At least once you will give it a sufficient “knock”, probably when retracting your arm(s), that you’ll cause it significant damage.
My suggestion would be a swing-up 1/4" foam-core board than suspends from the joists. Very easily swung up and out of the way, or even lifted entirely and tied. When fully suspended, it would provide a more realistic backdrop to your view.
I’ll think more on the removable aspect. I’m thinking of some Oak 1/4 in ply I have sitting around. Most of what I would be doing is sticking a 12" skewer between cars. This may be a moot point if I can get the magnets working.
chip,
the small backdrop say 6" to 8" high would be idea for your layout…if you have ever been to a train show you will see that the modules are built with short backdrops…that way you can just reach over the top to get to any derailments yet still having the sense of distance that backdrops provide…chuck
Any backdrop is better than no backdrop, IMHO. It focuses the eye on the layout rather than the clutter behind it. I could have painted the bare wood blue in the first pic for a reasonable enough effect…
I chose to stick a modified Walthers backscene on instead
The backscene is only bolted on and can be removed quite easily. I also have some hidden access holes to retrieve anything that gets stuck in a building.
Hey Chip,
Please don’t take my response the wrong way but I wonder if you’re at the same point I was several years ago when I had built a layout similar to yours. As I gained understanding of this hobby and learned all about “staging” and having trains run through scenes only once, and engine facilities, etc. I began to realize that my layout had many limitations. I, like you, then tried to “fix” them.
I added some staging tracks behind the 4x10 layout; I even found a way to turn engines using a wye and was also able to add another section for a small yard and engine facility. However, I STILL WAS UNHAPPY with many of the limitations and the less-than-adequate additions. My trains still ran through the scenes in a circle and my spurs were so short it was very difficult to get a car uncoupled over a Kadee magnet. I recall spending hours and hours to try and fix the uncoupling problem, with little success.
My buddy and I looked at each other one day and decided that to complete the layout the way it was was probably a waste of time. It was time to start over…and by starting over, many of the problems I could have spent hours and hours trying to correct were gone. I was careful this time to forsee potential problems and design the new layout accordingly.
In essentially the same space I had used for my first layout, I was able to create a double-ended yard with 5 classification tracks. I now have 6 staging tracks hidden behind my elevated city which allow trains to enter and exit my “world” from the east or west. I went to a double-track mainline because I like to see freight and passenger train “meets”. My yard even has a real neat turntable that feeds my engine house. And, instead of having a panel like you up front, with all the controls in one place, I have panels with switches all along the layout where I’ve divided each penninsula into 2 scenes through the use of backdrops down the middle. And, I have a backdrop behind my yard and elevated city.
That said, I’m still going to complete the layout.
There are 5 reasons.
I like the time period and the location. (I don’t have a clue where it is located, I have an image in my head about how it will look and it is internally consistant.) I’m having a blast with the old style trains. I like to railfan with these guys.
I’m getting a lot of experieince working on the landscape and structures–making due with what I have.
I already have an N scale shelf interchange yard and a full basement layout designed. I just have to clean and remodel the basement before I can build. I have a hold-up of both time and money. To finsih the Train City & Rock Ridge layout from this point will be pretty inexpensive.
I like railfaning this layout. It is relaxing. My plan is to put it in my office (an occupied bedroom) when my 88 year-old mother-in-law moves on. I figure the basement layout and the office availibility will happen at the same time.
I’m attatched to it. The more I work on it the better it looks. I sit and watch it run to plan my next move. It is very relaxing. Right now I have a couple old-time 2-6-0s running in opposite directions on separate loops. The backdrop will help a lot.
