Backscene's

I always find backscene's a bit of an issue, what to do and what will fit. Trying not to have roads running off in to fields and river's end up running in to a house or wall. Trying to disguise this in some way with a tree or such like can be difficult.

Different modellers have come up with various solutions to this over the years, if your good with a brush, you can paint one or some preferred to paint the whole thing gray/blue and some with fluffy clouds added just for effect.

Pine Road had one of the commercially available products i think from international models. but again it was times 2 so some parts of it are repeated, again a problem with the river disappearing into a field. The whole scene fitted in well with a Dorset countryside so an allowance was made.

Then. came along "Parkstone" a real place with a rather exceptional view over looking part of Parkstone Bay and Brownsea Island. Now what do we do.

I had to think about this one, how to get that view on a Layout 3.5 meters long and a backscene height of  250mm above baseboard.

 A chat with a guy who has now become a good pal who turned out to be a phographer, can this actually be done, oh yes it can, he says,  (oh know it can.... moving on) tell me what you want and i will sort something out for you. After a visit to a local viewpoint, (it twas a bit misty that day looking out on them there hills).  i think this has greatly added to the effect, it really looks as if you are looking in to the distance, he came up with what i can only describe as remarkable. Yes it's bits and more bits Photoshoped together.You can find his site Here, he's called Alan
        He knows what you are looking for and also knows stuff about trains. Your not going to get a Bespoke backscene for 30quid but if your looking for something special it's worth looking in to, you'll pay 100 odd quid for an engine but don't leave that backscene at the back, bring out in the open and make it a big part of your layout. You know it deserve's it, what would  it be if  Carlsberg  made one ????


So could this be the age of the "Backscene" well i mean, we had the revelation of "static grass" then we have had Delux materials, a new way of making rivers. Of course DCC, but the poor old Backscene has been left behind (oh dear it doesn't get any better) at the back and in the dark (and probably fed on mushrooms).

These are not the best of picture's but it gives you an idea. Promise to get the proper camera out very soon and take some proper pics, the layout is in front of a window so hard to stop the sun shinning on the lenz. I have some blending in to do here and there but i am very pleased with the way it has turned out.