In just about everything on layout design I have seen, it is always stated that scenery should slope uphill from the front of the layout to create the illusion of distance. Granted, on occasions I have done the reverse and made the scenery slope away from the viewer, and it has looked kind of strange. Where I am looking for specific help is in getting away from the "stepped" look when there is more than one track, or set of tracks, that runs through the scene. I am in the process of designing a layout that has a 36" more or less constant width. Any ideas would be appreciated. [ 29 July 2001: Message edited by: foamrr ] [ 29 July 2001: Message edited by: foamrr ]</p>
Maybe instead of using a flat plywood, make it like real ground, slightly hilly, little streams and creeks, and over where the other track is, let it dip below a hill or go through a cut. Most people step the tracks because it is easier to reach for derailments. I try to plan so only one or two tracks show in anyone viewing spot at a time, while the rest are hidden behind buildings, hills or in tunnels. (I like a little lip along the front because that floor makes my engines look like they were beat with the ugly stick when they go over the edge.)
The biggest advantages to rising scenery as it recedes are the ease in hiding the backdrop edge (just have the ridge fall away from you at the backdrop) and the ease and forcing perspective (large trees in front of the tracks and small trees behind and above the tracks will make the scene look deeper than it really is.) Putting a track at a lower level deeper in the scene can work to hide the track from view but still allow you to see the train when it passes by. This is a good alternative to putting the rear track in a tunnel (making access very difficult) to hide the round and round nature of most model rr track plans. If you have an idea, the best way to see if it works is to build it. You can always try a scale model of the model to see a 3d view of your idea. The July MR has a picture of what a 1/6 scale model of a layout looks like - it's the right size for Barbie and Ken!
