The Sky has Fallen

[wm3798]

Stumbled across a discarded shelf that was built out of a solid core door panel...  After days of head scratching about how to build the sky board on the peninsula, it was like an answer to a prayer.



First a little cutting...



Then a little painting...



and POW.  Instant back drop.



Here's the full view.



and the Thomas side of things.



I also took the opportunity to extend the mainline east from Maryland Junction toward Cumberland...  Still have to work in bits and pieces due to the scenery that needs built along the back wall.  But now I can see better how it will come together.  I'm also expecting the curved turnout I ordered to arrive tomorrow or the next day...

Having more fun than humans should be allowed to have.

Lee

[asciibaron]

you should have rounded the edges, the sky is not sharp  ;D


looking good - when will you have the valley done - that will be a treat.

[DKS]

Looks great. But... a solid-core door... it must weight a ton.

[sizemore]

Great work Batman!

The S.

[wm3798]

Looks great. But... a solid-core door... it must weight a ton.

It's only a 12" slab, so it isn't too bad.  It's presently secured with three screws.  I might go back and add a brace or two in the middle, but it ain't going to sag...

Lee

[davefoxx]

Lee,

Is the backdrop tall enough, considering the elevation of the Elkins line?  You may want to try to take some pictures to see how the backdrop is framed in the shots.  If it does need to be raised, other than recutting the end by the ceiling, you should have several inches of play with the scenery base to be installed.

Dave

[wm3798]

Done



and Done.

Low angles work okay, and with a little gimp and some lighting shifts I can blend the sky out for glam shots.  I could probably jack it up another 4-5 inches, but that would require some structural stuff that this height didn't.  Also, I don't want to totally block the view of the operators.  For instance, if you're switching Thomas, you can still see the bridge at Shaw to know if something is coming your way.

I think once the 3-D scenery starts to get in place, it will blend nicely into the background.

Lee

[DKS]

Looks like you may need to refresh the sky blue on the ceiling to match the new divider...?

[up1950s]

Looks like you may need to refresh the sky blue on the ceiling to match the new divider...?

I think that is a lighting reflective color shift we are seeing . I like the strength and mount-ability of the door idea . A background scene could be pasted to the lower edge of it , as well as 3D stuff .

[DKS]

What is the angle of the divider related to the wall at the back of the layout? Also, what is the distance from the end of the divider to the edge of the peninsula? Need to see if the Master Plan needs adjustment.

[rochsub]

Wow, the perspective on that first photo really threw me.  I had to look at the pictures a couple of times before I believed that they were the same piece of wood. 

Looks great.  Nice job.

Daryl

[Ed Kapuscinski]

For instance, if you're switching Thomas, you can still see the bridge at Shaw to know if something is coming your way.

FAIL.

Can real crews see if something from there is approaching? No! They have to trust the dispatcher or signals to know that something isn't coming their way.

Don't cheat and let users follow "smoke signals".

Well, maybe, until you get signaling and dispatching really working.

[davefoxx]

For instance, if you're switching Thomas, you can still see the bridge at Shaw to know if something is coming your way.

FAIL.

Can real crews see if something from there is approaching? No! They have to trust the dispatcher or signals to know that something isn't coming their way.

Don't cheat and let users follow "smoke signals".

Well, maybe, until you get signaling and dispatching really working.

I'm with Ed.  I'd rather have more skyboard, which is really only suggesting a few inches increase in height.  To me, a skyboard is to help create the feeling of separation and that we've actually travelled somewhere afar rather than just around the next bend.   Besides, I'll see the 1:1 "engineers" coming at me from the wrong side of the peninsula, so I don't need to see their trains.

"Guess what?!  I got a fever, and the only prescription...is more backdrop!!"



Bruce Dickinson

[wm3798]

Hey, if I found a free 24" door, I'd be all over it... There's also the consideration of lighting (I can't add any more) and airflow in the room...  We've all been up there in July...ain't pretty.



I'll think about it... meanwhile, back to wiring...

[asciibaron]

the height is fine - the peninsula is a tight point in the room and it keeps the crew from having to walk around and then back again to follow their train.  if an op is working Thomas or PPG in Cumberland, it takes some stress off having to crowd in the limited space.  the divider breaks up the scene for Thomas but is low enough to let the crew see things coming or going below Thomas.

Lee and i talked about that when i visited and i think it is a smart compromise.  two big fellas ain't gonna fit in the notch esp. if the dispatcher is leaning back in the chair (to pound a Rule G).