Night operation ideas

[Boyd]

Can glow in the dark paint still be bought or is it toxic or unsafe to use? Well my idea is for doing a video of a steam engine running on the layout with the lights out. BUT with all the side rods and maybe the rims of the drive wheels painted with glow in the dark paint. I think that would be really cooool.

[tomikawaTT]

A long time ago (half a century or so) the original Kalmbach magazine had an article on some modeler's adventures with painting night lighting effects with paint that was flourescent under ultraviolet light.  The photos with the article showed what appeared to be neon signs, dimly-lighted windows and such, plus some things illuminated with more conventional light bulbs.

When my kids were teenagers they both purchased UV-flourescent psychedelic posters.  They also found out that there were things in their bedrooms beside the posters that would react to the UV light.

At the same time, I found that models that looked fine under ordinary light could look downright wierd when some of the paint flouresced in completely unexpected ways (ever see a boxcar glowing purple?)

If flourescent paint is available, I'd expect to find it at a crafts outlet like Michaels'.  Whether it is available, or available everywhere except California, deponent saith not.

EDIT  Just Googled "flourescent paint" and got beaucoup hits, including retail sales outlets.  Apparently blacklight painting is alive and well.

Chuck

[Taranwanderer]

I have a string of large-bulbed, blue Christmas lights strung above my layout that can be plugged in for the nighttime effect. The pale blue is really nice, looks like moonlight, and provides enough light to see most of the action, especially if your layout has a good deal of lighting (locos, lighted cars, street lights, towers, house lighting, switches, and other lighted accessories.) It works well and is easily un-doable if you don't like it.

[fifedog]

The late John Allen was a master at night photography, and used flourescent paints to achieve it.

With today's digital cameras, you can achieve nice photos with a tripod.  I have an unfinished ceiling over my layout.  This has allowed me to install 3 sets of blue GE rope lights along the rafters.  When I shut off the room lights, and the eyes adjust, the blue light filters down like a full moon would.

[cnw1995]

 I have experimented with 'dayglo' paint under a 'black' lightbulb. I've used just dabs of paint to highlight headlights and lanterns. I also had a big (10 in) light-up moon in the 'sky'. I also used some wargaming experiences and experimented with penlights as loco and yard lights. As I like to a British railway experience, where the headlamps are relatively dim, it was more than OK.

[fifedog]

Michael's has a cool looking light-up moon as part of its Halloween/Autumn collection by LEMAX.