Creating a Backscene: A Railway Modelling Companion

"You do not need to be an artist to do this." - that is the message from author Paul Bambrick at the beginning of his masterful new book on creating realistic backdrops for model railway layouts. He assures modellers that if they are capable of building a model railway they have all the necessary skills to create a quality background for the layout.

The author takes readers through the theory and history of backscene creation then concentrates on all the practical issues of getting the job done. He has included as many exercises and guide examples as possible to show how to achieve a well-observed end result. Each aspect of the backscene is accompanied by sketches and photo examples, explaining the principles and methods and visiting different areas of study which help to plan the overall picture before returning in stages to add further depth. He also includes detailed information about the alternative methods and processes undertaken to produce backscenes using digital photography and editing software, for those who are more comfortable with cameras and computers, rather than brushes and paint!

Exceptionally detailed, helpful and beautifully illustrated throughout, this is one book that all railway modellers will find both fascinating and inspirational.

The photographic advice was all provided by co-author John Ellis-Cockell who lives in Shropshire England. Some time ago, John was approached to use some of his photographs to create realistic backgrounds for model railway layouts, and using his knowledge of models and his own commercial experience in specialist art printing, he formulated the basis for a new business called I.D. Backscenes, creating, manufacturing and marketing photographic backdrops for the popular modeling scales. The new range of ready made panoramic backdrops were an immediate success and the expanded I.D. catalogue now offers a wide range of scenes being sold across Europe, Scandinavia, North America and Australasia.

A professional technical illustrator by trade, Paul Bambrick now produces high quality landscape backscenes for model layouts and scenic dioramas for collectors to display their locomotives. He works mainly on commission from his Studio in Buckinghamshire and his most recent projects include work for the highly commended 7mm Bucks Hill layout.