depth

Try a search for "forced perspective"

If you have specific ideas to try out, you can set up different scale tracks and trains on the same layout space with free SCARM track planning software and look at it with 3-D viewing. SCARM has been discussed a lot on this forum:

https://ogrforum.com/t...ello-from-the-author

i have it, but still haven't figured it completely out yet

Tate, do you have anything started in SCARM that we could take a look at and maybe help with or are you just starting to learn the program? Here's a quick look at some O and HO scale track.

I have the two outer loops done. The outer loop has trestles and didn't bother to put them in scarm. I don't know how to make it flat on top of the top loop. It is in n scale to fit my space for i have a mountain right next to it, and i have a small town out of buildings in them. The bottom 3 loops i am diffidently putting in. I

Tate posted:

Anyone have any ideas on how to show depth on a layout, For instance would using ho train sin the background a good idea?

if the layout will have a long side against a wall, you can tilt the table towards the front, say, around 3" - 5" in O scale. Then, to keep the track level, you add elevation to the front track. Only enough to match the grade.

3" on 60" wide table would be around a 5% slope.

The technique is more like super-elevation rather than an incline. The front most rail is higher.

it will make the table appear wider, but viewers would not notice.

This complicates the build, but creates the whole table as  "forced perspective". Then, using increasingly smaller objects towards the rear will enhance the forced perspective.

You can do it with a level table and just object sizing and backdrop pictures for a good effect also.

An HO train would be too small to my eye. perhaps HO building on the top of a "mountain" at the rear. I would stay with sized objects, rather than mix scales of trains.

Tate posted:

I have the two outer loops done. The outer loop has trestles and didn't bother to put them in scarm. I don't know how to make it flat on top of the top loop. It is in n scale to fit my space for i have a mountain right next to it, and i have a small town out of buildings in them. The bottom 3 loops i am diffidently putting in. I

having the mountain in the rear and the elevated line in the front seems to cancel any depth to my eye. The small train on the mountaintop may add to the perception of height, but not depth. Then, again HO will just look like a small train out of place. S gauge would be more appropriate.

Upload your file and tell us the shape and dimensions of the table. We can play with the 3D for you.

I still think you can get a better effect creating a vanishing point with a backdrop (mountain range with a valley) and sized objects (trees, buildings) on the table.

4x8 table with a 4x4 extension and a little triangle piece connecting the dia finally.

Like this? SCARM table file attached

I see what you're trying to do. I had the same thought once using my N scale train, but with the tunnel portals right below your N scale track, all you have is a small train on top of a larger one. To get depth, the portals would need to be much further away and then scenery elements of progressively smaller sizes added until you get to the smaller train. All you should see of the smaller train too is just a part of the track vs the entire oval.

The problem with trying to do it using different scale trains though is usually a lack of space to make thing's look somewhat realistic. In this example using O/HO, it might be difficult to add enough scenery of different sizes to get the depth you are looking for because the layout is not deep enough even though it's 96"x144". And you can see how little of both trains will be visible. Also, this kind of layout would have to almost be at eye level to maintain the perception of distance. If you tilt the 3D view to show how it would look at waist level, the perception loses its effect and you only see 2 different sized trains.

yes moon man

Years ago, the California Museum of Science and Industry had an O scale diorama layout approximately three feet deep. It was an around the walls style with the east and west ends of the room hidden (one being the staging area). It was designed primarily for kids to view at eye level. They used 2-rail O scale trains running up front with varying sizes of background tapering to the back where 1:64 cars  "drove" along a highway (mimicking Route 66). The trick is to taper everything between the foreground scale and the background scale. Simple size difference wasn't enough, especially if you're seeing the layout much below eye level. Even when viewed from above, the taper of the scales still gives a feeling of depth.

I was able to find a couple of photos, plus an old magazine article about it. I'm on my office computer right now, so I'll update this post later with the information.