Two sheets of styrene (backdrop) were put up behind Kingfield.  Attaching to the doors worked great!  Holes need to be cut for the trackwork.

December 29th, 2003 was the last work session of the year.  Paul and Jim, were the only two to make it from the regular crew.  My hope was to get 4 sheets of styrene backdrop up.  2 behind Kingfield and 2 by Phillips.  These sections of backdrop are critical to completing the continuous run of the layout (as well as the F&M branch to Kingfield).  The 4x8' sheets had to be cut down to 36.25" x 8' before being screwed to the backdrop supports.  It was decided that the access holes and track holes could be cut into the styrene after it was up.  I use #6x1" drywall screws with buttons to hold the backdrop in place.  I do not glue the backdrop up.  The joints in the backdrop are backed by a 12" wide piece of styrene placed vertically.  The backing plate is glued on the end of each piece of styrene before it is hung, it serves as the backing for the next piece to be installed.  The backing plates are glued on with a styrene cement/liquid purchased at the plastics warehouse.  All styrene used is .060" thick and cost around $15 (here in Cincinnati) for a 4x8" sheet.

Progress was going slower than I hoped until Bret Lane showed up.  Bret is a bit younger than Paul and Jim, his knees did not object to getting down on the run to cut/rip the 4x8' sheets down to size.  2 weeks prior, Bret's wife Becky had given birth to their first son, Jake.  Becky, thanks for letting Bret out of the house, his contribution was welcomed.  With Bret's help, all 4 sheets got cut down to size, and 3 of them got installed before the evening ended.  The next morning, Paul made a special trip down to the house, so he and I could get the 4th sheet installed.  By mid day Tuesday, I had no excuses for not progressing roadbed installation.

Paul had another good idea for creating the grades...Check in next time...

Another shot of the Kingfield side of the backdrop.  The notch you see at the left end of the styrene is actually the end of the styrene sheet.  The backing plate extends 6" beyond the end.  The next piece will butt to the front piece and be glued with styrene glue to the backing plate.  This will form a tight joint which can be puttied over.

 
Here's the Phillips side of the backdrop after Paul and I installed the 4th piece of styrene.  On the right, is the joint location for the next sheet.  See the backing plate.  In the background is a homemade 1% foam grade, much like the 2% & 4% grades made by Woodland Scenics.  Tune in next time to see how it was made.