Just some pics of layout progress

Very impressive, David.

Very fine pics! Great work!

Peter

Way to go David!

Start with the back drop and model the layout going forward.

So many over look this unique building process?

S.

Nice work....any details on those backdrops???

Fine craftsmanship David.

Thanks for the comments.  I spent today test fitting two backdrops.  I haven't figured out how to secure them to the wall yet.  For now they are affixed to 8' hardboard by clothes pins.  I am not sure how to secure the hardboard to the plaster wall, which is very uneven.  I was thinking of some kind of adhesive on the high points of the wall.

SIRT I am going to have trouble in another spot where I laid out and placed a city on the layout.  Going to be some removal and rebuilding going on.  This is the first layout where I had to patience to at least wait in some areas before putting in the backdrops.

Attaching a piece of furring strip (perhaps 1/4" think) at every wall stud will provide mounting points that are relatively plumb unless they moved with age.

Option two would be to only attach the hardboard at every stud. There will only be small gaps or rolls where the wall is uneven.

A stretched string across the wall will tell the story. Then a combination of the two should provide a close to flat series of mounting points.

Very nice David! Are those backdrops from Trackside Scenery? I am at the same point now with my new layout that it is time to figure out the backdrops. Lets see some more. 

George

Very nice! What brand of track are you using?

Moonman, thanks for the thoughts.  I believe this wall is some type of concrete or similar material over brick.  I had to use concrete nails to attach the layout to it. 

Charles P34 I use Gargraves and Ross.  It is cheaper than Atlas and the switches work better.  Atlas looks nicer though.

Very nice.

Liquid Nails or PL Construction adhesive will hold the mounting strips. Like I mentioned, a string stretched across the wall at the same distance from the wall at end will provide a reference along the wall of the thickness needed to achieve a level mounting surface.

Shims, spacers, etc. ... You get the idea.

Forum Sponsor Railroad Back Drops  Shows different sizes and selections. They also show a Peel-n-Stick back drop material.  I checked the website for additional installation instruction but could find none.  You would think somewhere on those backdrop websites are installation instructions.  Do back drops install similar to wall paper or is it completely different??? 

From the website, close to installation instructions.

  Custom model railroads deserve the best……We produce the industry’s ONLY washable backdrops that are virtually impervious to most modeling chemicals and materials. This means you can put up your backdrop BEFORE your scenery without fear of ruining your backdrops. Our model railroad backdrops are printed on a polythylene matte finished photographic film coated with a tough 3 mil matte finish flexible laminate so they are virtually tear proof and resistant to alcohol, mineral spirits, white glue, scenic glue, plaster, sculpt-a-mold and most other common modeling chemicals and materials. All of our model railroad backdrops can be cleaned with most household cleaners, soap and water or alcohol without damaging the print beneath it! - See more at: http://railroadbackdrops.com/f...sthash.qXrb469x.dpuf

I have never hung wall paper.  My backdrops are held in place by clothes pins for now while I am test fitting.  Joey Ricard here on the forum sells backdrops and has done a video showing how to install with spray glue.  He is very helpful

tracksidescenery.com

Nice work David looking forward to more updates

David, you did a very nice job blending foreground and backdrop. Particularly in that first photo