Hi all, I'm looking to make some sort of divider that doubles as a back drop to hide the staging tracks on my current layout. Anyone have any suggestions?
Well . . . how high does it have to be? How long? How many staging tracks? What's on the other side from staging? The short answer is most modelers I know use 1/8" Masonite attached to 1x2 or 2x2 vertical supports. GS
I guess measurements would help. I'm thinking about a foot tall and 12 foot long. The foreground is a yard that loops around back behind its self and turns in to 3 staging tracks plus a main, so 4 tracks total.
Masonite mounted to 1x2's is what I used Ethan. If you use the Masonite on both sides then a piece of 1" half round trim on the edge works ok for me.
Ethan, Aluminum trim roll is a good option. It is available in white with one side coated in polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is nearly weather change resistant - it will not change with changes in humidity or temperature cracking joints. It bends easily for curved situations (corners , serpentine backdrops), accepts paint easily, is easy to cut, accepts adhesives (Dap Dynaflex 230 is a great choice) or small brads, comes in numerous widths up to 24 inches and in rolls up to 50 feet long (greatly reducing joints). Bondo Body Filler makes for smooth, paintable and best of all invisible joints. We have several modelers here who have used the product for backdrops. The author, layout designer and builder Lance Mindheim recommends and uses it for backdrops on his and railroads he builds for others. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
Thanks for the suggestions. This is what I've found so far for those two options. Masonite: https://www.lowes.com/pd/47-75-in-x-7-98-ft-Smooth-Brown-Wall-Panel/3014304 Aluminum Trim: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Pella-PELLA-TRIM-COIL-12-IN-x-25-FT-WB/1002462304 Did I find the right stuff? There's definitely a price difference between the two.
Ethan, for backdrop separation between Downtown Cape and the MoP spur, I used 18" x 8' piece of 3/4" plywood standing on edge. I used a pocket hole jig to put pockets along the bottom edge of both sides to fasten the backdrop to the plywood tabletop. Mark and I have done the same thing in two places on the layout expansion we are working on for local MKT modeler Mike McLain. We are attaching the aluminum flashing roll to the plywood with DAP Dynaflex 230, the same adhesive caulk that is used to lay roadbed and track.
Thanks Keith. I've already got some extra lumber on hand, so I may start with that before I buy anything else.