December 16th, 2010 
dwalton 
The Secret To Creating Perspective In Your Model Railways Scenery
Author: Tim McCarthy
When trying to create realistic looking scenery for your model railway trains, one technique that can be put to great effect is that of forced perspective. This is a method that involves making objects in your model railways scenery seem as if they are further away than they really are. In this article, I will discuss some of the different techniques that model railroaders use to achieve this look.
I want to start by looking at your model railways backdrop first of all, as this is one of the easiest places to use this method of creating a sense of extra depth to your model railroads scenery. As you are designing you model railroad backdrop, if you draw objects that you want to appear as if they are further in the distance smaller than those in the foreground, this will create a natural effect to deceive the eyes. Naturally, when you look into the distance, objects get smaller in size.
They also get more out of focus, so objects in the foreground should be well defined images and those in the distance should appear blurred to get the most realistic effect possible. Forgetting to do this when trying to create the illusion of forced perspective will make it look unnatural and will in fact have the opposite effect to what you are actually trying to achieve, as the eyes will focus more on it.
Another neat little trick here is to dull the brightness of the colours used and also use less detail in the background images as these are how things naturally appear to the human eye as things disappear into the distance.
Forced perspective is a technique that can be applied within you model railway itself too and is not just relevant to your backdrop. I have seen great examples of the forced perspective of a valley disappearing into the distance, complete with a river at the bottom.
This was done by shrinking the size the river as it got further away from the view point. It also included using a couple of bridges over this river, which again, got smaller as they got further away, giving the illusion of a greater distance between them. Another great way to achieve this look in you model railways scenery is by using different size and scale trees as you get further back in your layout. Micro machines mini cars used on roads winding of into the distance are also a nice little trick I have seen used.
The final technique I want to mention that can work particularly well is to use railway track of a smaller gauge than the one your model trains are running on, which you use in the distance to create an effect that the track is again further away than it really is.
Whichever method you decide upon, the main points to remember are the same. As objects get further away, to the natural eye they will appear small, become less in focus, contain less detail and appear duller in colour. Hopefully this will have given you some great ideas for your own model railways scenery. For more information on how to create realistic model train scenery, visit my website by clicking the link below.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/the-secret-to-creating-perspective-in-your-model-railways-scenery-3443087.html
About the Author
Tim McCarthy is a model railway enthusiast with many years experience in the field of model trains. For further information on model railroads, including more on model railways scenery, please feel free to head over to http://www.modelrailwaytrainstips.com/model-train-scenery.
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In N.Ireland I got to run a layout using the new Hornby DCC. It was awsome! You can get a set with one and a loco for 175 pounds.
Alex
Hi mate, I too am a railway modeller of 34 years experience!, and I can probably help here, I have based my layout on an actual location which is what you might be happy with.
Please see my layout cos this week the journal is so interesting and there is a link in it to my latest YOU TUBE movie which shows an overall view of the layout, I reckon the track plan sounds like what you are looking for. It is great fun for me to operate.
This is my webpage……if any thing there are loads of photos to inspire
everybody, it has taken me four years to do all this so take your time and it will turn out sooo well.
http://chrissyboys.multiply.com/
other than that I can only point you to two other sites that may help :-
http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/shelf-layout.htm
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/
good luck mate. Hope you get on okay. would love to see what you come up with !.
Outstanding hobby… a NEW Layout is always a blast (I spend a lot of time “dreaming” on paper and, now, software !!
I’m really only interested in modern American railroads… so my links will reflect that (I note you use “railway”… British?)
Model Railroader Magazine – http://www.trains.com/mrr/ (well worth getting a subscription to the magazine)
Kalmbach Books – http://www.kalmbach.com/Books.aspx
Atlas Model Railroad Co. – http://www.atlasrr.com/ (they have a free download software for designing your layouts track)
National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) – http://www.nmra.org/
IF you’re going to model a prototype (or even a freelance RR)… I have liked using Google Earth satellite images to help in planning for industrial facilities and for finding “interesting” buildings, terrain, etc.
I started in HO scale with a 4×8 ft sheet of plywood as a kid in 1974… today I have a 60 x 60 ft basement packed to the walls with an N-scale layout representing the Union Pacific RR in the current San Jose / Stockton, California area. I also run a few steam and early diesel “specials” on my layout during holidays and visits to add to the color and appeal.
GOOD LUCK !!
You may need to be a little more specific. What scale is your layout? What is the locale and era you are modeling? What kinds of details are you referring to? Switch towers? Signals? Relay sheds? Or are you talking about buildings, like industries or stations?
Are you asking what you should add, or how you add it–how to assemble kits? How to install buildings? How to apply ground cover or add trees and shrubs?
There are many kinds of trackside details, and many ways of adding them. When you can be more specific about what you’re after, you’ll find more help here again.
you can use porportions and then cross multiply. cars use 6 percent, and railroads less, 2 to 4 max, figure it life size then convert it to scale. First convert inches to engineers foot, 7 inches equals 0.58 feet to make things simpler.
for 2 is to 100 as 0.58 is to x, solve for x.
2x=58
x=29 ft
What is the best DCC system for a small 00 gauge model railway layout.?
I am building a small model railway layout, about 12 inches wide x 12 foot long with another 6 foot of fiddle yard/storage sidings. It is modern image, with at most three locomotives being used at once, two parked one operational. Maybe a double header occasionally. Fancy Gaugemaster Prodigy, but maybe a bit too expensive for such a small layout. Want to have sound eventually, so number of functions important.
How can I work out the grade required to raise a model railway track 7 inches?
I want to raise a track from my model train layout, 6 inches. How do I work out the best gradient.
Thanks.
Col Paton
how do i add detail to my track side on a model railway layout?
How can I plan a model railway layout?
In the grip of the worst recession ever, I would be really grateful if someone could give me a few tips on how to plan a model railway layout. Preferably I’d rather not pay anything but if i have to, as little as possible.
just for the record, I want to build a good one about 10ft by 14ft not a circle but thanks to the person who suggested it.
Are there any good model railway websites out there?
I planning to create a new layout for my model railway, however I am stuck and would like to find some good websites to help. Any ideas?