How high?
I had the temporary cardboard backdrops up during the pre-
vious op session. I used several backdrop heights: 2', 3', and
4' with the 4' tall backdrop going all the way to the ceiling. I
polled the crew – which did they like best? The result? No con-
sensus whatsoever!
A full height backdrop has the advantage of complete isolation
and should cut down on layout room noise. However, it will be
the most expensive, the most difficult to install, and provides
no opportunity for air circulation.
A 2' high backdrop is the most economical in terms of mate-
rial cost and will probably be the easiest to install. It also
is best for air circulation.
But even though a normal
height person can't see
another person over the
top of it, the bright ceiling
lights on the other side are
quite distracting. (6)
A 3' high backdrop provides
isolation nearly as good
as a full height backdrop
5: A section of 3' high
backdrop shows a bit of
UFO-in-the-sky lighting
over the top of the sky.
In person I find my 67"
from the floor eyeballs
mostly see backdrop
and not the light.
5
and cuts down on the lights visible above the top of the sky,
while providing some air circulation. But it will use as much
Masonite as a 4' backdrop (although scraps can be used to
make fascia panels.
I asked Horace Fithers what he thought. He says I should go
with full height backdrops for the best sense of isolation and
noise reduction. I'll probably take his advice. An under the lay-
out fan or two (or three) should provide decent air circulation.
Backdrop construction
I have some design goals for the peninsula backdrop:
It should be as thin as possible to leave the most room for
trains and structures. This rules out 2x4 stud walls.
6: 3' (left), 4' (middle), and 2' (right) sections of back-
drop behind the future home of Bear Creek yard. I (and
Horace) like the isolation of the 4' section. I dislike
being able to see the lights on the other aisle over the
top of the 2' backdrop segments.
6
Up the Creek Column - 4
MRH-Jul 2013
