I acquired three steel mill-related photo backdrop pieces this spring. The first step was to cut the image out of the sky - the blue color on there was different from the backdrop I'd already painted. Next, weeks of just leaving them sitting there, thinking and pondering where to place them. I had to raise them a little, first to show behind the high line track and secondly to show enough behind where I'll tentatively place the coke ovens. I used a 3M spray on adhesive, which worked pretty well. It was tacky enough that it would stick but not so much it got messy. Finally placing these was more of a mental leap than anything else - glue is pretty final. Eventually I'll place some trees or shrubs along the bottom so you won't see anything below the images. I'm pleased with how these look, however while they're all from the same company, the lighting on each is a little different.
Lessons learned:
1. Spray the backs of these outside, so you don't have to worry about what any overspray is getting on.
2. I used a mix of scissors and an x-acto knife to cut the images out. The experts on Model Railroader said to use an x-acto knife but after a while it was just easier with scissors.
Next up - figuring out how to model pavement. And creating the underpass scene. I suppose at some point soon I should paint the track and install fascia panels on the sides too.
