Should I add a backdrop to my layout?

Consider for a moment what makes up an ideal model railroad setting.  Probably, you'll see more than just trains and structures, but also nice scenery, like mountains, sky, trees or other natural settings.  Rather than building hundreds of tiny mountains, a backdrop can provide an easier way to accomplish this look and save on time, space and money.

Why should I add a backdrop?

Adding a backdrop to your layout will help it expand the size, in a sense.  It will help make the layout seem bigger than it actually is and sometimes can be the only way to get certain scenic elements into your layout.

Additionally, adding a backdrop could serve the dual purpose of hiding unfinished (or simply ugly) walls.  Hiding a cinder block wall behind a backdrop is a great way to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.  It can be much for economical to merely add a backdrop rather than finish off the wall, repaint it or a myriad of other solutions.

Even on a very narrow layout, such as one that operates on a shelf, backdrops can add a significant amount of depth.

Alternatively, backdrops can allow you to create several different scenes through which your train can run.  Thus, the distance your train travels will seem greater, which will, in effect, increase the size of your layout.  Placing a backdrop in the middle of a loop is also a great way to conceal some unrealistic, albeit necessary, parts of a model railroad, such as power supplies, transformers and other technical pieces.

Planning for the Backdrop

The backdrop is something to consider when you are in the earliest phases of constructing your layout.  It can be a good idea to treat the backdrop construction much like finishing off a room or basement in preparation for the layout itself.  Just after you have installed the lighting for your layout,, consider the placement of your backdrop.  With the lights functioning, you will be able to hedge against any shadows that may arise and learn where the light hits the layout.  By pre-planning the layout in concert with the backdrop, you can save yourself many headaches down the road.  However, make sure you leave yourself enough room so you can comfortably access the backdrop for painting.

But what if my layout is already built?

You can still add a backdrop to your pre-built layout.  However, it will take some patience and work, but the end result will be well worth the effort.  Once you decide where you want the backdrop or where the layout would most benefit from its presence, you will need to move enough scenery around to allow you to fasten the backdrop in place.  Then, once in place, you can easily blend it with the scenery.

Painting a backdrop on an already finished layout can also be a challenging prospect.  Covering the layout with a lightweight tarp or drop-cloth will help protect the finished scenery, but no matter what you, painting in a hard to reach area will still be a pain.  Because of this, you might want to pre-paint your backdrop before installation.

In the end, the best and most reasonable way to accommodate a backdrop is to consider how it will function as a part of your complete layout and how it will integrate into your original plan.  Just like everything else in the layout, a backdrop is a significant piece of the puzzle - one that visitors won't overlook, and therefore, neither should you.