It should be as inexpensive as possible.
It should permit smooth curves.
It should be easy to install and easy to paint.
I'm hoping to laminate two pieces of 3/16" Masonite back-to-
back with yellow glue to create a sort of 2-ply spline backdrop.
Masonite is relatively inexpensive (compared with plywood),
curves nicely, and takes paint well. Experience with the fascias
on the second BC&SJ layout, which were two 1/8" Masonite
layers laminated together, show that once the glue sets, it
should hold its shape.
7
7: A cross section of the proposed BC&SJ laminated
Masonite backdrop between Bear Creek yard and
Junction City.
Two layers of
3/16" Masonite
laminated with
yellow glue.
stiffening
cleat
Joists
Riser
3/4" plywood
roadbed
Concerns with this technique include avoiding waviness in the
backdrop and how to laminate large areas of Masonite without
getting yellow glue all over everything.
Will this technique work? I'll report back once I try it out.
Roughing in a river bed
I get a lot of use out of my copy of 3rd PlanIt. But there are
some places where I have problems. The biggest problem is
visualizing how the area I'm designing will look full-size. The
program's 3D view capabilities help, but I usually don't want
to take the time to build virtual scenery, and looking at a com-
puter display isn't the same as seeing it for real.
I wanted a river to separate the mainline and Toledo branchline
tracks between Junction City and Browning. In my mind I saw river
banks sloping gently down to a moderately wide and lazy river.
(48.25
(48)
(50)
Santiam River
Albany Junction
Covered
bridge
Vogue
8
8: A river separates the mainline (on the
aisle side) and the Toledo branchline (on
the backdrop side) at Albany junction.
This should yield some great photo oppor-
tunities, as will a covered bridge (12).
However, space for the river is tight, lead-
ing to lots of fiddling with the tracks to
allow more room for scenery while keep-
ing access to Albany Junction in reason.
Up the Creek Column - 5
MRH-Jul 2013
