Scenic treatments of Turnback curves

[basementcalling]

Any thoughts about how to scenic the curve at the end of the inside of a peninsula? Outside bends are pretty easy, but I have one curve inside the bottom of a J shaped peninsula that has me quite stumped.

I hope to avoid a bridge, as I have the obligatory big bridge on a curve in another location and don't need two of them.

I was thinking a fill or sweeping loop type scene to try something not traditionally seen on layouts.

Any other thoughts for consideration?

This is the trackplan. I have a high 84 inch backdrop here, as the other side of the peninsula is double decked, but not the side with this scene

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[3DTrains]

How about a fill?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

One of the better tricks I've seen recently is the "Bellina Drop" where the backdrop drops down along the end, so you can't see it from there.

Here's a discussion of them: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ldsig/message/39999

And a potential excerpt (depending on the gods of Google Books) from Tony K's book on it: http://books.google.com/books?id=Vja4EBShzIAC&pg=PA82&lpg=PA82&dq=%22bellina+drop%22&source=bl&ots=OYPGH5DEI0&sig=twaitQAV-6WUOP6ritPq-LAQJq4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GVLgUZrRC_Sr4AO8lIBg&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22bellina%20drop%22&f=false

[basementcalling]

One of the better tricks I've seen recently is the "Bellina Drop" where the backdrop drops down along the end, so you can't see it from there.

Here's a discussion of them: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ldsig/message/39999

And a potential excerpt (depending on the gods of Google Books) from Tony K's book on it: http://books.google.com/books?id=Vja4EBShzIAC&pg=PA82&lpg=PA82&dq=%22bellina+drop%22&source=bl&ots=OYPGH5DEI0&sig=twaitQAV-6WUOP6ritPq-LAQJq4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GVLgUZrRC_Sr4AO8lIBg&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22bellina%20drop%22&f=false

Great links, Ed. I am putting the Bellina Drop into practice in at least one spot on this layout. Unfortunately the location I am talking about is viewed from inside the curve. Stand just above the location of the large trestle on the plan, and look right. Ignore the double track and spur. That is no longer going in. That's the spot I am talking about.

Pete

[Cajonpassfan]

Pete, is there a backdrop running down the middle? And how high is the track level, for sight lines? Are you looking at the line from above or more from the side?
If you permit me, you're perhaps asking the wrong question. In my mind, it's more about what kind of scenic setting you want and then designing the railroad through it, i.e. visualize believable scenery contours without the railroad first. Then you can think about how to get the line through, cut and fill, tunnel entrance, bridge etc. Not knowing what your setting is supposed to feel like, it's hard to give advice...
Fun stuff though...
Regards, Otto K.

[basementcalling]

Pete, is there a backdrop running down the middle? And how high is the track level, for sight lines? Are you looking at the line from above or more from the side?
If you permit me, you're perhaps asking the wrong question. In my mind, it's more about what kind of scenic setting you want and then designing the railroad through it, i.e. visualize believable scenery contours without the railroad first. Then you can think about how to get the line through, cut and fill, tunnel entrance, bridge etc. Not knowing what your setting is supposed to feel like, it's hard to give advice...
Fun stuff though...
Regards, Otto K.

Otto, freelanced western Idaho/Oregon. Still very general I know.

The scene is on one side of a tall backdrop at the end of the interior aisle in the trackplan I posted. I'll see if I can get a picture or two of likely viewing angles to help folks out. The rails will come in going upgrade from left to right curving back into the 18 inch deep scene, making a 135 degree curve and exiting on the right.

[PAL_Houston]

What are you doing with that "visible loop" I wonder?  If you put it inside a "mountain"  you'd have a tunnel entrance at 2 o'clock, another at 12 o'clock, and a third at about 9 o'clock.  Your switchback would then be climbing a mountainside  after it exits the 9 o'clock tunnel and proceeds south and east.

[3DTrains]

Hi Peter,

Here's what I was referring to. The scene is from Iron Ridge on the climb through Mullan Pass in Montana (I reversed the images to match your left-to-right description). I feel the cut would add a nice touch.

From the operator:


Backside:


Cheers!
Marc - Riverside

[basementcalling]

Hi Peter,

Here's what I was referring to. The scene is from Iron Ridge on the climb through Mullan Pass in Montana (I reversed the images to match your left-to-right description). I feel the cut would add a nice touch.

From the operator:


Backside:


Marc, that nails it. Nice scene that is quite typical in appearance, but probably rarely modeled.

I can see how to base my scene on the reversed image or by featuring the fill up front as in your second capture..

Pete