What is a Photographic Backscene?

Photographic Backscenes have been created for modellers to create a suitable backdrop for the middle and far distances. Generally, they are produced from a series of photographs that are integrated together to provide a specific background environment such as a busy townscape or a country panorama with fields and woods.

When carefully integrated with the foreground layout they can be very effective in providing a near-to-distant perspective for any layout. This can add significant interest levels and visual depth to any layout. There are a few considerations to be taken before choosing a suitable backscene for any layout. The backscene should carefully match any specific era or location that a modeller is trying to achieve, therefore a rural steam-based layout would be incongruous with a modern industrial backscene.

Another factor to consider in selecting a suitable backscene is scale. Does the gauge of the layout suitably match the backscene in relative size? Suppliers generally create backscenes in a series of different gauges specifically to address this problem. Some suppliers can produce bespoke backscenes in specific sizes so that they perfectly complement their matched layout and can be mounted on a variety of backing boards as best suits the needs of each modeller.