Backdroping

Well what you currently trying doesn't cost much except for the labor to do it...so it's a worthwhile experiment. If you achieve imagery that appeals to you then your all set verses as you say expensive commercial backdrop. I have plain blue walls, and until something else gains greater appeal for me they will remain blue walls.

Bob

Backdrop Warehouse photo backdrops of Virginia will totally transform your train room.  With average benchwork height of 40 ish inches I would suggest 36" tall scenes.  It helps to create a location illusion if the photo bleeds past the top of your peripheral view as you are paying attention to RR activity.  Tall trees on a short backdrop can be difficult sell.

Backdrop Warehouse also offers a cash rebate if you send them completed photos of your purchase.  Their website is a tad convoluted but spending a little time figuring it out is well worth the task.

No matter what, you will be spending locomotive sized money, however, IMO,  the payback in overall effect is far more beneficial than any one locomotive you could ever add to your program.

Somehow, on the average, in my opinion, D.I.Y.  painted backdrops usually take away from the layout. 

Artists get what artists get because they are artists and there are not that many good artists out there.

Joe, some nice bench work there.

If I’m not mistaken, Tom Tee build that excellent bench work for the late Joe Giannovario.

I cannot help myself. So, apologies in advance.  Is droping the gerund form of drip, drop, drope?

I too would highly recommend Backdrop Warehouse for your Backdrops. I have 11 of them that are 13' long by 36" high. Put them up around 2005, they are still up and make my otherwise basement walls look fantastic.

As someone mentioned above, he stands behind all of his discounts and when all was said and done, the 11 backdrops cost must less than an locomotive. I was scared to start putting them up, but after you get started putting them up they are very easy. You can go to this link to see my progress in putting mine up.

http://myrrlayout.com/R/Aspfil...p?Xfer_Code=30002780

Phil,

I recommend you take a look at my modular building drawings at www.westportmodelworks.com  They are perfect to place infront of the photo landscapes to give a measure of depth to your layout between the scenic image and the model images of the layout.  The photo below shows two modular back drops I created from the drawings that in this case are attached to the wall with velcrow. On this portion of the layout is simply paint the wall a sky blue however a photo backdrop would be very appropriate behind them. By the way these were made about 12 years ago and have been relocated multiple times. 

Les Lewis