More than one way to divide the two sides...

I think it was Ian Rice that designed the Lilliput Logging layout that had a unique divider design.  The divider went down the middle of the layout then curved sharpley out to each of the four corners.  The divider curves were tight.  The ends were capped.  The track passed through the divider.  You couldn't see into the layout from the ends.  If you took it further you could cap the top with a lift off that would allow you to frame the layout with a matching valance and a top that could support your LED strip lighting.

A quick search on the net will bring up a track plan on which you can see the divider.

Den

Divider

I've seen then done multiple ways. Easiest is a center divider that reaches almost to the ends of the table and the trains just run around it and arrive in the new scene. I've also seen a divider built as a mountain with tunnels for the trains to go thru but that works best if one is modeling a mountainous area. For flatlanders the center mountain could be replaced with tall buildings in spots with photos or painted backdrops between them, realistic tunneling thru a city backdrop would take some careful design. If you have a bit more room you can build the center divider as a long narrow oval  with empty space in the middle and curved backdrops on the ends. This allows wider curves on the end tracks at the expense of a foot or two more layout width, say a 6 foot wide layout could have 30 inch radius end curves using 24 inch benchwork on each side along with a 24 inch center space between backdrops( allowing 6 inches between layout fascia and tangent tracks on each side)......DaveB 

Split divider?

Many years ago, on a previous layout, when I had a 4 x 8 layout, with a similar set up that Den suggested, except being flatlands, the dividers that split out didn't actually go to the corners of the board. It was just high enough too that you couldn't see all the way around as you walked around the layout. I think it was actually more effective than just a straight divider.

What kind of scenes do you want?

Gordon Odegard (sp?) worked for MR mag for a long time. He designed a layout that was city on both sides. The center structures were tall enough they were the divider.

So another question is, what height do you want this layout to be? That will help define the backdrop also.

Jack

I like the Liliput Logging

I like the Liliput Logging idea.  Seems a bit easier to tunnel into a concave curve vs trying to run around the end of a divider.  Need to play around with that a bit.

Given two scenes...  was thinking one would be a town with a couple of small industries.  The other would be more open space with perhaps a mine and 2 or 3 short staging tracks.

A mountain range down the middle seems feasible to me and would be easy to incorporate the tunnels.  I may be able to go a bit wider than 4' too.  Maybe 5x8 with the middle ~10" consumed by a mountain.  I do like the idea of some wider curves or at least a bit of room between the track and the abyss.

Great ideas.

Thank you,

Doug

My old 4x8 layout

This is my old 4x8 layout, based off a magazine project layout from the early 90's.  You can see the dividing line where the backdrop was; it was a simple rectangle, and ended abruptly in the upper right, right by the turnout points.  It wasn't too noticeable, it kind of blended in with the white walls in my basement (the backdrop was faded light blue to white).  I guess painting the room light blue with clouds, the same as your backdrop, will help blend them together.  I've seen edges of backdrops disguised with trees, buildings, mountains, etc... and they all work.  Your eyes will be focused on the trains and hopefully the backdrop will do exactly what it should...blend into the background and divert your eyes to the more detailed foreground.

I have a few more pics of this now dismantled layout on shutterfly...I think you can click on the link in my signature to get to the albums?  If not, let me know and I'll post more pics (or figure out how to share my albums).  Here it is, just in case:  https://delray1967.shutterfly.com/

The track at the upper left was intended on leading to a staging yard or another switching area located along the wall.  In the end, I abandoned all my designs for an extension...I realized a new, long narrow 'L' shaped layout, was better than trying to improve the 4x8.  4x8 takes up a lot of floor space (gotta walk around at least 3 sides) and I enjoy switching and got tired of the #4 turnouts on the 4x8...I wanted to try #6's.  At the same time, I learned about the Free-Mo standard.  I figured I'd build my layout to that standard just in case there was a local event, then I could run on a much bigger layout and meet some new local modelers.  Going on 5 years later...I now have 2 module sets (2x12 switching layout and a 10'x10' U-shaped 3-track yard/staging) and am working on a third set(a big 11-track yard, 20' long).