The opening "View Aperture" from valence to facia on my layout is 16" which I find to be much too large. But I did this on purpose so I could get my big fat head in there while I install background stuff. When it is done I will lower the upper valance to 12" view aperture which I find to be perfect for my viewpoint @ 57" track level. You won't even notice the facia anyway even if it is lower than 12" because of the immersion factor - which increases when you operate and see less of the inside of the layout ceiling. All you have to do is reskin the valance with 1/8" board to lower it anyway. For me, none of what you speak of will happen until I paint the backdrop last. I prefer to compose the backdrop after the foreground hills and scenery is done rather than have the backdrop force my hand. Either way I am sure you will settle with something. Cheers. 😁
Very interesting thinking Boomer. This whole discussion might lead me to increase the height of my Telluride module to take track level from 52 to 57". Question, what is your eye level ? My eyes are at 67".
Thanks for your incite Boomer. Building the valance is a long way off and for sure won't go up until I paint and do scenery. A reskin sounds like a simple solution. I've seen guys use sheets as a valance to keep from bumping their heads as the work. I may try that at some point as another easy way to try out different perspectives. The real problem to solve is, can I put a valance over the large Island section of the layout that Boomer warns guys not to build! I'm stubborn and persistent, if I want it bad enough I'll find a way!
@@OtterCreek Track level here is at 52" at the moment. I am right in the middle of moving the layout to another room, and selecting a possible photo backdrop. All that thinking of yours made me thinking too about viewing aperture, valence etc... And then Boomer's comment made me realize I should give it a try to raise it about 5". It will put track level about 10" below my eyes level, and I was wondering what others who thought of that usually do. Again, great discussion here :)
Dennis, what an interesting video! Well done. What's the story behind Treebeard following you around the video? I can't give you any feedback on valences as I haven't used them yet but it was interesting to listen to your thinking. As you do transition to a "what I have done" format I hope you continue to share the thinking process if not the build process with us. Oh! Do hide a spare key outside. Bob
As far as content goes, I don't want to repeat the same stuff on Modules 3 & 4 that I have already done. This should speed up progress in that area and I really want to reach my goal of June 1st for trains running to Maroon Creek. I will continue to share my process, especially on things that I haven't touched on in a while. I have several odds and ends things that need to be done like lighting up the staging yard that I will probably document. Treebeard lol, good eye Bob! I call him "Grogg." He is upset that the OC&RG is trespassing into his natural habitat and may show up from time to time to reek havoc and destruction along the railroad! Eventually I will paint him up real nice so he blends in with the scenery. Thanks Bob!
It has been twenty years since I was invited to visit a layout on the order of magnitude similar to yours in scope and breadth. It was immensely impressive. Which is what you are building. Thank you for sharing your building experience.
well, for me this was the most informative one yet, even if you think there is too much talking :) I am also trying to figure out the height of my shadow box. My benchwork is at 57" right now and I was trying 17" for the valence. Now seeing your testing that will help will me re-calculate everything. One I thing I didn't think about, is when looking in the shadowbox I will see its ceiling. I might have to lower the layout a bit....more testing to be done before starting the real layout
Layout Height is definitely something to consider. I was stubborn and refused to build a helix which is why my height is as low as it is in most places. I think the higher the layout the smaller the window you can get away with and it's easier to hide the top of the backdrop. 50"-53" seems a good height for me at my height of 6'
Glad you enjoyed it! I always worry when I spend a lot of time blabbering about something... especially if it involves a decision, that people will check out. It goes to show that people interact differently with how information is presented. Some want to know "how and why," while others just want to "see."
@@OtterCreek I am deep into the "how and why" side. But actually seeing the trials is of great help vs just reading about it. No matter how good the writing was !
Just finished watching, missed the live part due to unloading trailers for Saturday's train show. QUESTION: Do you ever ask Gayle what she thinks of what you're doing? I find my wife is the best critic and gives some of the best advice. Doesn't mean I take it, but she always has good advice.
I do, but I don't thing she see things with a critical eye. She is very complimentary and rarely asks questions... thus her interest in what's going on is minimal! "That's nice dear" LOL.
Would it not have been easier on you to cove the corners, mud and sand to blend into the wall then paint the walls sky blue to the ceiling? You would not have to worry about seeing to top of the backdrop thus making it easier to set the height of your valance. You could make your mountains 3D with addition panels cut to the shape of the peaks. I model in On30. I have a shelf layout. My deck is 50.5" from the floor. 30" deep. I have a 24" tall Masonite backdrop painted sky blue. My valance starts at 18 inches above the deck and goes up another 10". Behind the valance are the feather light weight Barrina LED lights. I do not have the space you have, so I am modeling an Arizona Desert town that mines copper.
Woulda shoulda coulda.... where were you with a crystal ball two years ago when that would have been easy lol! Honestly, my original plan was to just paint the walls and forego the Masonite and just let corners be "painted." Then I decided I might want to attach scenery to the backdrop and the Masonite sounded like a better idea. I also was not entirely sure what the finished height of the top spline was going to be, making it difficult to predict exactly were the Masonite would land. Thanks for stopping in.
If you're gonna need at least 20 inches for your back drops, why not just do yourself a favor and go for 24 inches so you can just rip 4x8 sheets in half? Significantly less waste, and then you don't really need to worry about adjusting the height as you go up the slope, since you'll have the extra height the whole way.
I actually want the "Waist" for other things, that's the favor I'm looking for! I'm pretty sure I'd have to adjust the height even if I went with 24", just not as much. We'll see how it all turns out. Thanks
OK....@7:20... what the hell was that??? Dennis, I think you're overthinking the whole valence thing. You are NEVER going to get it where everyone sees the same thing as you.
Well, you know it's in my nature to over think things. That can be a blessing and a curse, most of the time I know when it's time to let things go and just build. The point is not to get things where everyone can see what I see. The point is to minimize anything that might take the operator out of the illusion of the scene, and more importantly, do things only once! The last thing I want to do is slap something together and hate the result. Proper planning for forward progress takes time and thought :-) @7:20 Grogg the defiler, he has a grudge against the town for building on his native land, looks like it won't be good for Jimmy Billy and the rest of the towns folk.
Some, but not much. It's been long enough ago now I Can't recall specifics but I do discuss what I used int the video series on it. All of the bushes I believe are Martin Welberg.
Why not just split the masonite panels in half and do away with all the grief. even if you don't use all the height, you have it if you need it or if you change your mind.
Easy answer Kim is conservation of material. One sheet could produce two 18” sheets and one 12” sheet minus the saw cuts. That is what I’d like to do in ever place I can make it work. Also, cutting 24” won’t work on my radial arm saw. I’m limited to 23”. No grief, thanks for your concern!!
The opening "View Aperture" from valence to facia on my layout is 16" which I find to be much too large. But I did this on purpose so I could get my big fat head in there while I install background stuff.
When it is done I will lower the upper valance to 12" view aperture which I find to be perfect for my viewpoint @ 57" track level. You won't even notice the facia anyway even if it is lower than 12" because of the immersion factor - which increases when you operate and see less of the inside of the layout ceiling.
All you have to do is reskin the valance with 1/8" board to lower it anyway. For me, none of what you speak of will happen until I paint the backdrop last.
I prefer to compose the backdrop after the foreground hills and scenery is done rather than have the backdrop force my hand. Either way I am sure you will settle with something. Cheers. 😁
Very interesting thinking Boomer. This whole discussion might lead me to increase the height of my Telluride module to take track level from 52 to 57". Question, what is your eye level ? My eyes are at 67".
Thanks for your incite Boomer. Building the valance is a long way off and for sure won't go up until I paint and do scenery. A reskin sounds like a simple solution. I've seen guys use sheets as a valance to keep from bumping their heads as the work. I may try that at some point as another easy way to try out different perspectives. The real problem to solve is, can I put a valance over the large Island section of the layout that Boomer warns guys not to build! I'm stubborn and persistent, if I want it bad enough I'll find a way!
@sebj2386 My eye is at 67”, I think Boomer’s is around 53”- 57”
@@OtterCreek Track level here is at 52" at the moment. I am right in the middle of moving the layout to another room, and selecting a possible photo backdrop. All that thinking of yours made me thinking too about viewing aperture, valence etc...
And then Boomer's comment made me realize I should give it a try to raise it about 5". It will put track level about 10" below my eyes level, and I was wondering what others who thought of that usually do.
Again, great discussion here :)
@@sebj2386 I'm 5'11" - the track is 57"
Dennis, what an interesting video! Well done. What's the story behind Treebeard following you around the video? I can't give you any feedback on valences as I haven't used them yet but it was interesting to listen to your thinking. As you do transition to a "what I have done" format I hope you continue to share the thinking process if not the build process with us.
Oh! Do hide a spare key outside.
Bob
As far as content goes, I don't want to repeat the same stuff on Modules 3 & 4 that I have already done. This should speed up progress in that area and I really want to reach my goal of June 1st for trains running to Maroon Creek. I will continue to share my process, especially on things that I haven't touched on in a while. I have several odds and ends things that need to be done like lighting up the staging yard that I will probably document.
Treebeard lol, good eye Bob! I call him "Grogg." He is upset that the OC&RG is trespassing into his natural habitat and may show up from time to time to reek havoc and destruction along the railroad! Eventually I will paint him up real nice so he blends in with the scenery. Thanks Bob!
It has been twenty years since I was invited to visit a layout on the order of magnitude similar to yours in scope and breadth. It was immensely impressive. Which is what you are building. Thank you for sharing your building experience.
Thank you for stopping watching and commenting!
well, for me this was the most informative one yet, even if you think there is too much talking :) I am also trying to figure out the height of my shadow box. My benchwork is at 57" right now and I was trying 17" for the valence. Now seeing your testing that will help will me re-calculate everything. One I thing I didn't think about, is when looking in the shadowbox I will see its ceiling. I might have to lower the layout a bit....more testing to be done before starting the real layout
Layout Height is definitely something to consider. I was stubborn and refused to build a helix which is why my height is as low as it is in most places. I think the higher the layout the smaller the window you can get away with and it's easier to hide the top of the backdrop. 50"-53" seems a good height for me at my height of 6'
Really interesting discussion here !
This is giving me really good food for thoughts about that subject at the right moment ! Thanks 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it! I always worry when I spend a lot of time blabbering about something... especially if it involves a decision, that people will check out. It goes to show that people interact differently with how information is presented. Some want to know "how and why," while others just want to "see."
@@OtterCreek I am deep into the "how and why" side. But actually seeing the trials is of great help vs just reading about it. No matter how good the writing was !
Just finished watching, missed the live part due to unloading trailers for Saturday's train show. QUESTION: Do you ever ask Gayle what she thinks of what you're doing? I find my wife is the best critic and gives some of the best advice. Doesn't mean I take it, but she always has good advice.
I do, but I don't thing she see things with a critical eye. She is very complimentary and rarely asks questions... thus her interest in what's going on is minimal! "That's nice dear" LOL.
Would it not have been easier on you to cove the corners, mud and sand to blend into the wall then paint the walls sky blue to the ceiling? You would not have to worry about seeing to top of the backdrop thus making it easier to set the height of your valance. You could make your mountains 3D with addition panels cut to the shape of the peaks. I model in On30. I have a shelf layout. My deck is 50.5" from the floor. 30" deep. I have a 24" tall Masonite backdrop painted sky blue. My valance starts at 18 inches above the deck and goes up another 10". Behind the valance are the feather light weight Barrina LED lights. I do not have the space you have, so I am modeling an Arizona Desert town that mines copper.
Woulda shoulda coulda.... where were you with a crystal ball two years ago when that would have been easy lol! Honestly, my original plan was to just paint the walls and forego the Masonite and just let corners be "painted." Then I decided I might want to attach scenery to the backdrop and the Masonite sounded like a better idea. I also was not entirely sure what the finished height of the top spline was going to be, making it difficult to predict exactly were the Masonite would land. Thanks for stopping in.
If you're gonna need at least 20 inches for your back drops, why not just do yourself a favor and go for 24 inches so you can just rip 4x8 sheets in half? Significantly less waste, and then you don't really need to worry about adjusting the height as you go up the slope, since you'll have the extra height the whole way.
I actually want the "Waist" for other things, that's the favor I'm looking for! I'm pretty sure I'd have to adjust the height even if I went with 24", just not as much. We'll see how it all turns out. Thanks
@@OtterCreek certainly makes sense if it's usable stuff. I made this comment before I saw your saw set up too. Man that thing is cool!
OK....@7:20... what the hell was that??? Dennis, I think you're overthinking the whole valence thing. You are NEVER going to get it where everyone sees the same thing as you.
Well, you know it's in my nature to over think things. That can be a blessing and a curse, most of the time I know when it's time to let things go and just build. The point is not to get things where everyone can see what I see. The point is to minimize anything that might take the operator out of the illusion of the scene, and more importantly, do things only once! The last thing I want to do is slap something together and hate the result. Proper planning for forward progress takes time and thought :-)
@7:20 Grogg the defiler, he has a grudge against the town for building on his native land, looks like it won't be good for Jimmy Billy and the rest of the towns folk.
Use Woodland Scenics?
Some, but not much. It's been long enough ago now I Can't recall specifics but I do discuss what I used int the video series on it. All of the bushes I believe are Martin Welberg.
I am here, can you start it early?
Yup, 4 min early just for you Heath!
Asking for a friend. Can you change the premiere start time to 855pm? This way the video will start at 9pm without the 5 minute counter.
So, you created the “Food Pantry Pacific”
@@alanloizeaux4881 That's simple
Canned goods is our specialty!
Why not paint the walls your sky color to kind of hide your seem
I may need to do that. I'd rather not, if I can keep from it.
Why not just split the masonite panels in half and do away with all the grief. even if you don't use all the height, you have it if you need it or if you change your mind.
Easy answer Kim is conservation of material. One sheet could produce two 18” sheets and one 12” sheet minus the saw cuts. That is what I’d like to do in ever place I can make it work. Also, cutting 24” won’t work on my radial arm saw. I’m limited to 23”. No grief, thanks for your concern!!