Scene divider or steep hill?

I have a small layout and am trying to make a decision on how to best structure the scenery.

The goal is to have two separate scenes - a canyon and a switching yard. Both lead into a large hill at the end of the layout. The problem with the current layout is that there is not necessarily enough space to divide the layout effectively. I have come to the point where I need to decide between a scene divider via a backdrop or a (unrealistically) steep hill.

I would appreciate your feedback and some references for successful scene dividers.

Option 1: Steep hill.

I like how the canyon scene looks and this side of the hill I am comfortable with. The hill will receive a puffball treatment and the contours should work. The other side of the hill is facing the switchyard where I have a problem. (sorry for the picture orientation. I could not figure how to turn it in this forum)

scenedivide 1

This picture shows the hill from the switchyard view. Tough to see with the bright sunlight, but it is practically a steep vertical for now about 12 inches high.

scenedivide 2

Option 2: I have mocked up a quick backdrop that would disguise the steep hillside. This would allow a quick transition and a few building flats. My preference though would be not to do it since it may look odd from some angles. Also I am not sure how to end the backdrop near the tracks.

View from the other end.

Just for reference I have also attached my track plan.

Please let me know how you have solved this issue. It must be common amongst O scale layouts. Any references and picture would be great.

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9/11/1212:07 PM

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ACL FredOGR Forum Member

Would it be possible to use building fronts or rears (depending on your preference) to cover the rock walls making your switching yard more industrial in appearance. It might take some creative roof lines or roof top ad-on to cover all the peaks & such. You could paint any remaining exposed rock a sky blue and on the canyon side hide any square corners with smaller rock outcroppings.

9/11/1212:48 PM

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RussellOGR Forum Member

I see your issue.

Have you thought about a few Flats with a couple inches of tapered side to make them appear deeper? Obviously the one on the end would have to be a full, if possibly narrow building. It can show from both sides if placed at the end of the wall.

A freight warehouse with loading dock facing the track would look good there.

9/11/122:32 PM

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Jim PolicastroOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

On our 8'x10' club layout, we took the scenic divider approach (city on one side and rural on the other). The irregular shape of the divider made it easier to hide the edges. A fairly short piece of styrofoam rock (visible behind the cemetery and to the left of the blue building in the third photo) hides the small amount of edge.

On my home layout, the edge of a scenic divider is hidden by wrapping the scenery around the edge from table top height almost to the top of the divider. Actually extending it above the top edge would have been better. A tall building would serve the same purpose.

Whatever you use to divide the scenes, the important thing is use enough height to completely block the line of sight from one side to the other.

It's amazing how much larger it will make your layout appear when the train actually disappears around the divider as if it is actually going "away" somewhere.

Jim

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9/11/122:51 PM

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reimeruxOGR Forum Member

Here is an update to what I ended up building. As suggested, I went with Option 1 to use a steep hill and fill it with puffball trees/bushes. I think it came out nice and provides a lot of visual interest. The canyon is really coming together well and it provides this secluded feeling. On the city side I am building flats against the wooded steep hill. Despite my fears it does not look too crowded. Thanks for your comments.