Backdrop/Wall mural

Actually I think a backdrop separated from the layout by an isle could be very affective.  It could add a lot of depth. Maybe some low hills on the layout to provide a transition.

Probably would need the layout to be pretty high to prevent looking over the layout and seeing the isle

I think that a separated backdrop is a great idea.  But geez, please don't mount furring strips to your concrete wall just for this.  Pounding in concrete spikes or power driving concrete nails into you wall for something so simple is not a good idea.

Since you are going to use a foam mounting board anyway, just use a thick foam board, and mount it to the wall with 8 or so small concrete screws, by predrilling the holes and hand screwing the screws into the wall. These are easy to remove and the small drilled holes will not crack or otherwise damage the wall.  They can also be easily filled in the future.

Mannyrock

@Mannyrock posted:

I think that a separated backdrop is a great idea.  But geez, please don't mount furring strips to your concrete wall just for this.  Pounding in concrete spikes or power driving concrete nails into you wall for something so simple is not a good idea.

Since you are going to use a foam mounting board anyway, just use a thick foam board, and mount it to the wall with 8 or so small concrete screws, by predrilling the holes and hand screwing the screws into the wall. These are easy to remove and the small drilled holes will not crack or otherwise damage the wall.  They can also be easily filled in the future.

Mannyrock

I agree. I’m thinking of possibly using removable command strips seeing how there’s 2 coats of dry lock paint and it’s pretty smooth. I’ve used them in a couple areas already and they hold up well.

Gene

Double-sided tape or Velcro pads would be my choice for attaching foam boards.

You also may consider using Industrial Strength VELCRO.  You could test to make sure the sticky side of the VELCRO sticks to your painted concrete wall.  You can buy it at LOWES, ETC.  I used it on my backdrops mounted on drywall & it's worked great.  No screws.

Excellent suggestions and I would offer that you might paint the wall a sky blue. I used Sherwin-Williams cloudless. In Jim Barrett’s book he demonstrates how to use stencils to make clouds.

As I build my layout that features an around the room style. I have considered what I might do for a background.

Before starting benchwork i painted the walls different shades of blue, took out my brush and white paint and slapped on a partially cloudy day. I ran an ad in Craigslist for an artist to paint a backdrop. I got tons of responses and showed those who came to see the project lots of examples from OGR and internet.

Overall, it would have been possible to do a backdrop before I started the benchwork; however, the consensus was after track and before scenery. This would allow an artist to understand and sense the scale and perspective even at the expense of ease by doing it sooner. Including changes to track plan and elevations.

About half of my layout will be off the wall by 10 inches so 2 inclined ramps connecting lower and upper levels will remain mostly hidden. On these sections of wall I intend to have 1/4" aluminum channel fastened to mainline level plywood edge, with 7" high x 36" long panels of masonite stepped in the channel. The masonite will have a stone wall applied that will be a wall between the mainline on the second level and hide the track inclines behind the wall; the1/4 panels can easily be removed for good access.

On the room wall 7" above the inclines a ledger of 2" x 2" will support a 1/4" plywood street with structure "Fronts" and painted background attached and on the room wall, Part of the street will be removable with the supporting 1/4" masonite stone wall.

Pictures below represent Today's progress, regarding my plan, wish me luck, suggestions encouraged.

thanks, kevin

A couple of thoughts ….

Why not put a backdrop on the wall?  I think it’s ok that the layout is not up against the wall.  This avoids shadows which takes away from the realism of the backdrop.

The other thing is to landscape the strip between the track and edge.  Add trees, maybe a river along a stretch.  From the opposite side of the layout the landscaping in front of the backdrop would have some real depth.

Or why not add a short wall like:

In my long post above, I failed to address the OP.s question. I didn't see his picture.  In that case I might respectfully suggest using aluminum 1/4 channel to anchor the base of Masonite panels and as others have suggested velcro to attach to wall; got ahead of myself. Sorry  k

@VJandP posted:

A couple of thoughts ….

Why not put a backdrop on the wall?  I think it’s ok that the layout is not up against the wall.  This avoids shadows which takes away from the realism of the backdrop.

The other thing is to landscape the strip between the track and edge.  Add trees, maybe a river along a stretch.  From the opposite side of the layout the landscaping in front of the backdrop would have some real depth.

Or why not add a short wall like:

Thanks for your suggestions. Once I finish the ground cover, greenery, shrubs etc…and lay the track back on the trestles there won’t be much room for anything else.

So far, thank you all for the suggestions.

Gene