Model Railroading > I Have an Idea. <G> Danger

Most locations that I have a hole through my backdrop, I can hide them either with scenery, bridges, etc. But one location I can't. Maybe it's not that big of a deal to most modelers. And that hole leads to a single staging track that will only be used once during an operating session. (A foreign road train with trackage rights enters and exits my Wabash here.)

Anyway, I was thinking of having a small door in the backdrop over the track about 3 x 3 inches that swings back and up to open and vice versa to close. I could attach a lever on the backside of the door, hooked up to a pulley, powered by a small electric motor. And it would have be weighted with stops on the inside of the door. It could be actuated by one of the levers at my interlocking where the foreign road crosses. Or it could be automatic and activate with sensors in the track. Sure, there will be marks in the hardboard that would show the opening, but it wouldn't be as obtrusive as a hole. I could activate it manually too.

What do you think? Has anyway done this? I did see that Bill Darnaby did this at one location on his Maumee with just a flap cut in a linoleum backdrop.

Victor Baird
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/25 10:47 by wabash2800.

How about installing a small lip to cover the cut lines of the door when closed.    With the door opening in then install the lip on the scenery.   Use say 10 thousands Evergreen.   Then bevel the edges and it wil be nearly invisible.

Richard.

Good point, Richard. I have been thinking of ways to do that.

Victor Baird

Folks in this hobby have tried just about everything to deal with this situation and the gated opening to eliminate a duck under. Post a photo of the spot on your layout where this would be built. You'll get some good input and perhaps an idea that comes out of left field so to speak.

On the mechanical end, I would suggest making it as simple as possible, less parts equals more reliabiltiy.  In a way, you're talking about a miniature doggy-door. Are trains departing that staging yard in a direct line of sight by the operator?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/25 13:09 by pilotblue.

The backdrop here is tempoaray as things are pretty rough yet. Notice that the track comes through at an angle. The single staging track is on top of my helix, behind the backdrop. It has already been installed. The Atlas code 100 in the foreground is just for mocking things up. I use Micro Engineering code 83 and 70 flex and handbuilt turnouts for my visible trackage.

Victor Baird


pilotblue Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Folks in this hobby have tried just about
> everything to deal with this situation and the
> gated opening to eliminate a duck under. Post a
> photo of the spot on your layout where this would
> be built. You'll get some good input and perhaps
> an idea that comes out of left field so to speak.
>
> On the mechanical end, I would suggest making it
> as simple as possible, less parts equals more
> reliabiltiy.  In a way, you're talking about a
> miniature doggy-door. Are trains departing that
> staging yard in a direct line of sight by the
> operator?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/25 14:17 by wabash2800.

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Hmmmm Why not a small auto over pass. with the ramps up to the small bridge on both sides. It looks like you have room. Just an old wooden farm bridge maybe?

Please go back and read the first few lines of my post. I also have an interlocking here with home signals. No offense, but my querry was about the door, not layout design.

Victor Baird

inyosub Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hmmmm Why not a small auto over pass. with the
> ramps up to the small bridge on both sides. It
> looks like you have room. Just an old wooden farm
> bridge maybe?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/25 16:32 by wabash2800.

I think your trap door in the backdrop would work as long as you paint it in such a way that shows the track going off somewhere.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

Good point Ted, but the track height is about 65 in. And the track comes out of the backdrop at an angle.

Victor Baird


funnelfan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think your trap door in the backdrop would work
> as long as you paint it in such a way that shows
> the track going off somewhere.

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/25 16:53 by wabash2800.