Plasticville - Lights

[traindaddy1]

SENIOR MOMENT - Can't remember... Searched the community but couldn't find it.

I'm pretty sure I read it here.

Am looking for suggestions as to the type of electric lights to use in Plasticville structures.

As always, many thanks. 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

I take a small lamp base mount it on a piece of plastic about 1 1/2 inch by 2 inch have six inch leads then use a 18v bulb.  I also run all the lights off a seperate transformer and use the varible voltage and adjust the voltage to get the right look.

Jim

[fifedog]

My sister and BIL are new to toy trains, and have been using the newer (*and now cheaper) strands of small LED lights.  They look good illuminating Plasticville cape cods.

[LL675]

I use small strings of clear twinkle Christmas lights. Even with a short string, there are too many lights close together, but this lets me have lights under the platform, and I can see well when I'm under the layout. The lights don't put out hardly any heat, so no worry about damage to the plastic buildings.

[sir james I]

Most any type of lighting is fine with a variable voltage transformer. My biggest gripe is light showing through the plastic walls. Trying to make a cardboard insert was too time consuming so I just paint the interior black.

[Papa_D]

I have numerous buildings on my layout including Plasticville. I’ve probably used almost as many ways of lighting them as there are buildings. Recently I bought some “warm white” Mega LEDs.

Here is what one looks like lite. It produces virtually no heat.

Finally, an example inside a Plasticville cottage. 

All-in-all they are about the same price or maybe a little cheaper than any of the other approaches. At some point this winter I will convert some of the buildings over to these.

Papa D

 

[phillyreading]

I use Radio Shack light bases, E-10 size and 14.4 volt bulbs on a small Lionel transformer. I never use 120 volts on the layout.

[Penny Trains]

12 to 16 volt peel and stick lights from Model Power have always worked well for me.

[KRM]

Papa_D

I have numerous buildings on my layout including Plasticville. I’ve probably used almost as many ways of lighting them as there are buildings. Recently I bought some “warm white” Mega LEDs.

Here is what one looks like lite. It produces virtually no heat.

Finally, an example inside a Plasticville cottage. 

All-in-all they are about the same price or maybe a little cheaper than any of the other approaches. At some point this winter I will convert some of the buildings over to these.

Papa D

 

 

Agree with Papa_D. I use and like the Evan Designs lights in buildings and rolling stock. Work well and don't draw alot of power or get hot.

[traindaddy1]

Thanks, so much, for all your replies. I knew I could always rely on you.

[BigAl 956]

One more idea. I picked extra xmas lights at the holiday close out sales. They run about 3v each. I put 4 in series.