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How can I add realistic tyre tracks to muddy terrain?
Posted in: Scenery
20th February 2025
Adding realistic tyre tracks to muddy terrain in your scale model can enhance the scene’s authenticity and tell a...
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How do I model a foggy scene on my railway?
Posted in: Scenery
20th February 2025
When modelling fog in a railway scene, you’ll want to create a convincing sense of mist rolling over the tracks,...
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The Dos and Don'ts of Lubricating Your Model Trains
Posted in: Fix, restore and customize
19th February 2025
Keeping your model trains running smoothly requires regular maintenance, and lubrication is a key part of that....
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What are waterslide transfers?
Posted in: Decals / Transfers
18th February 2025
Waterslide transfers are a key component of scale modelling, allowing you to add intricate markings, insignias and...
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What is the GWR Firefly Class?
Posted in: Rolling stock
17th February 2025
The Firefly Class was a series of broad-gauge steam locomotives built for the Great Western Railway (GWR) between...
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What is forced perspective?

Perspective is something we see every day out there in the real world. A tree in the far distance, for example, will appear very small, despite it being as large as a tree close by. Our brains know this, but, our brains can also be easily tricked with the use of forced perspective.

The most common application of forced perspective in modelling is the use of back scenes. Apart from their primary purpose of providing a backdrop to layouts, they also often provide a forced perspective. It's not uncommon for a back scene to feature hills and scenery some miles away, even though the back scene itself is placed just centimetres from the main features on the baseboard.

Forced perspective can also be achieved using models. A modest approach to this would be the use of progressively smaller trees and buildings the further back you go. A more extreme example would be the use of N gauge track in the background and OO gauge in the foreground. Most modellers using forced perspective favour techniques somewhere between the two.

The trick to using forced perspective is to have some sort of scene break between steps in gauge or scale. Placing models of different scales too closely without a visual distraction will result in the brain not being tricked. However, locating your building either elevated on a hill or slightly obscured by a hedge can have compelling effects.

The exception to the rule is when using low-relief buildings layered to create a tiered town effect. In this scenario, only a very small gap is left between models with little or no distractive features. Some very convincing dioramas have been produced by modellers in this way, however, the method only really works when the scene is viewed head-on. Any other perspective leaves the scene looking a little bit like a pop-up book.

Posted in: Scenery

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