Backdrop ideas on a freestanding layout

Haven't done it on a freestanding layout, but my guess is that hanging backdrops on the walls would be fine. It is the sightlines that matter.  I would think it would be best to vary the elevation along the edges so they don't look like the ends of the earth--buildings, berms, rolling hills, etc. The gaps behind them might even improve matters. Might need to go lower that you would otherwise, but I think it will look great.

You might want to make some crude building silhouettes of various sizes out of cardboard and hang them on the wall. This will give you a feel for what works and what does not. Once you know the sizes, you can take some high quality images of buildings to a printer and have them make the correct sized images for you. I would cut the sky from the images and glue the buildings to gator board or similar material. Paint the wall a darker shade of blue ( definitely NOT sky blue or robin's egg blue!), then attach the building images to the wall. You can even do a 3D effect. The darker sky really makes things pop, especially in pictures. You can do a search for painting sky on this Forum, and/or check out back issues of OGR. Look for Jim Barette's recent Backshop series on building a layout.

Chris

LVHR

Thanks for the ideas.I'm thinking I would like to attach the backdrop to my benchwork.The backdrop would extend about 4' from the corner both directions forming an L running the length of my upper city level.I was thinking about 24 to 30" high.I would either paint the sky or use a printed sky.Then I was going to use printed buildings glued to black foam board and space each one away from the sky for more dimension.I don't want to backdrop the whole layout because I think it would block a lot of the view.On the other hand it might not look right with a backdrop on one corner only.seems like backdrops are only used on layouts that are against walls and not on layouts that are in the middle of a room.I appreciate any suggestions.Thanks

here is a photo snip I saved of Masonite attached to a freestanding layout for a backdrop

I am in a similar position, my layout is a walk around layout, 6 to 8 feet wide and approximately 30 feet long. My plan is foam board with printed buildings for part of the backdrop and a wooded backdrop for the rest. The plan for my backdrop is to go down the center of the layout so the trains go out of site. I am hoping that this will get away from the vision of the trains just going around in circles.

Ray 

Thanks for the responses,If I had it to do over again I think I would have ran a dividing backdrop down the center and run the length of the layout.I agree it does get away from the trains appearing to go around in circles.I think I will try to do a mock up back drop and see how it looks.Thanks, hope to here some more ideas 

Steve,

Late response, but there's an interesting method in this book using foam core (or similar thin material) on a freestanding layout that you mind find interesting.

Bob

Would you consider painting the walls sky blue? The problem with having the sky very close to the layout is the shadows cast from the buildings on the sky.  Never-the-less you will be amazed at the huge improvement just attaching blue panels to the edge of the table.  You could even use C-clamps to make them non-permanent.

Not a problem. Masonite (3/16" hardboard)attached to a 1 x 2 which is attached to the table side. At the corner, cut out a relief in the bottom to deck level to permit curving the corner. Spackle the screw holes and seams between panels.

Once that you have it fit, you can take it to the shop or garage and paint and detail it or apply a printed backdrop.

here is a photo of a layout that I saved. Curving the corner will make it look a lot better.

Thanks for the ideas. I'm looking at possibly painting the walls of the room light blue. I've been building some ho scale city buildings to set behind the o scale buildings to get some forced perspective. I've also  built and added a pretty good size partial factory building that sets next to the overpass. Painting the walls may be the answer. I will try to post some new photos soon.  I appreciate the input and very nice layout photos you guys have posted. Thanks