Photo by Michael Campbell (Permission granted by email of January 25, 2023)Helpful Hint
The term "pelmet", often encountered in the European and British model railroad press, left me scratching my head. This term is encountered in descriptions of exhibition layouts to indicate that part of the layout surround which obscures the light fixtures illuminating said layout. In a rough way it can be thought of as a valance - perhaps the term that instead would be used in the American modeling community. Pelmets can take many shapes and forms.
"Pelmet" is a term borrowed from the world of decorating in contrast to "valance" which is borrowed from the theater world. A dictionary definition of "pelmet" would more usually define it as the framework above a window to hide curtain rods and other items associated with curtains. In one definition the word pelmet is defined as distinct from a fabric valance.
So the next time you are leafing through a foreign model railroading magazine or blog posting on the internet and encounter this term, you will be prepared.
Revised December 2, 2023
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