After a recent operating session, one of the crew suggested that I put a black curtain around the bottom of the layout rather than leaving it open. Which do you think looks better and why? 1) Open 2) With black curtain. 3) With black curtain and paint the browm facia black as well. 4) none of the above. www.tbcnet.com/~dpkruse/before1.jpg www.tbcnet.com/~dpkruse/after1.jpg www.tbcnet.com/~dpkruse/before2.jpg www.tbcnet.com/~dpkruse/after2.jpg www.tbcnet.com/~dpkruse/before3.jpg www.tbcnet.com/~dpkruse/after3.jpg
Daryl, In theatrical productions, black curtain and facia is used to draw attention away from areas you want to hide, and focus attention on the main part of the stage. If the layout is the stage for the action, the facia and curtains need to be a darker color to help focus attention on the trains. Personally, I think the curtain is a great improvement. Painting the facia either black or a dark brown or green will help even more. but that's just my opinion.... Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://www.geocities.com/revnjeff/index.html
Daryl The curtain helps to hide under-layout clutter. However, if you are using the area under the layout for storage, you may want to keep a small notebook on what is stored where, otherwise it will be a tedious game of hide and seek trying to find a particular box or item. It need not extend completely to the floor, otherwise you or another operator may snag it with your shoe if you are standing too close to it. The painted fascia gives a uniform appearance as not all lumber looks the same. The combination of the two makes the layout look better and gives it a nice finishing touch. eNjoy Don B
Daryl, You have done a fabulaous job on your layout. Don't take any shortcuts with the facia and curtains. As Jeff and Don have already said, black curtaining with a dark painted facia (I prefer brown over green) will smarten it up very nicely. If you can get the controller outlets smaller and/or darker they will disappear moreso into the facia. Vinyl cut lettering in a contrasting colour will finish the nameplaces off. Gary.
I have painted my facia a dark green. Because all of the bottoms of the facia pieces(Masonite) line up level, I have used dark wall panels in place of the curtains. I have installed doors that either slide sideways in simple wood tracks or are hinged to open outwards. I have found that the black curtains will show and hold dirt/dust. With the panelling I can just wipe a rag, with some PLEDGE on it, and the dirt/dust is gone. The panelling will keep a dropped item from rolling under the layout, and keep people from under there too. It takes a bit more money and time to do it this way with the panelling but I think the end result is worth it. One final idea. Look and see if you have enough light UNDER the layout. I have installed several lights under certain places in the layout so that I can see what I am looking for and have light if I need to work under the benchwork. I have a switch that turns the lighting on only when I need it.
It does seem to provide a more "Professionally Finished" touch to your entire layout WITH the curtains. Your layout looks quite well done either way. The localities I lived in contributed to one problem I will mention here. There developed a problem with brown recluse and black widow spiders under the layout after a period of time. When there was no need to get under the layout, the dark areas are ideal for them to spin webs, so be cautious when going under after a month or two! It did not seem to make too much difference whether I used curtains, or panelling, or how many times I shoved boxes in and out. They like the dark, so now I always look, and spray FIRST!
Daryl, I believe the brown fascia and black curtains look most effective as it highlights the actual layout and doesn't become the focus of attention.
Daryl, I will go with the rest, and say it looks MUCH better with the curtains. Your layout looks great!
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Vinyl cut lettering in a contrasting colour will finish the nameplaces off. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Can you give a little more explaination as to what vinyl cut lettering is, looks like, and can be obtained. Thanks
Another question for you all on this subject: On a layout where the outside edge is only 1" thick foam board (no wood frame), what do you suggest be used for a fascia?
Daryl, Go with option #2. Check out your site also. Your layout is great, and the Mpegs are fabulous!!
First of all, I have to say that's a damn fine looking railroad you have there! Second, go with the black curtains. It looks very neat and tidy, hiding all the clutter underneath and producing a very clean look. D6
There have been fashions in colours used on fascia. Lighter colours are becoming more popular, depending on the area modeled. If you are modeling the Pacific Northwest, a dark (almost olive) green, or light green will work. If you are modeling more a drier area either in a canyon (less vegetation) or semi-desert area, then a lighter sand colour will do. As for below the fascia, dark curtains work well, don't forget dark blue as well, or paneling or storage space with sliding draws. The key is not to have a cluttered look to draw the eye downward. Better to have curtains than a poorly build storage area, like some I have seen. And Colonel, I love your layout. So if I ever visit Australia can I come on a layout tour? At some point in the future, I have a buddy in Hobart (Tassy) I want to visit. After visiting him I would like to rent a motor home on the mainland and do a tour of sorts before returning. This is a year or two off in the future.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Daryl K: Can you give a little more explaination as to what vinyl cut lettering is, looks like, and can be obtained. Thanks<hr></blockquote> Daryl, just about all signwriting you see these days is cut by a computer controlled method, now using lasers. If you have a design they scan it in or in the case of lettering type and choose font, and press enter. The end product is cut from a sheet of thin PVC (vinyl) which is sticky on one side. Just peel off the backing stick, then remove the protecting front sheet. Also, you can have the work done in reverse for adding to the inside of back-painted perspex control panels. Plenty of colours available and only limited by your imagination. A signwriter can do all this for you. Sometimes a printing business offers it as well. Gary.
