Light and Dark on Your Layout

[cnw1995]

I have been experimenting again. My layout is on a raised crawlspace that takes up half the basement - it is directly lit overhead by two of those new-fangled flourescent bulbs - there are two more elsewhere that add indirect light and I've a sort of spotlight using a workbench light. I'm intrigued by the positive effect of this kind of twilight - bright enough in the front of the layout - but dimmish enough in the back and corners to make a rotating light tower, 'electric park', building and trolley lights really pop. What are your opinions about what works and doesn't in lighting effects on your layout?

[Blueberryhill RR]

That sounds like a good effect, Doug.  I have a couple of small spot lights above the layout. I like to run the trains with only the layout lights on. But, I noticed if I turn on an indirect light, it makes it much better. You can still see the building lights and it created shadows.

Chuck

[Frank53]

One of the very best things I did on my layout was getting rid of that awful flouresent fixture and replacing it with track lights - huge improvement:

Before:

After:

[RR Redneck]

If I could have my choice, I would have track lighting installed with dimmer switches.

[Andrew Falconer]

Try a search for LED Lighting on a search engine and you will find many new options for compact and efficient lighting using LEDs. They can be put up in all types of configurations that would be difficult with heavier and bulkier incandescent and fluorescent lighting.

Andrew

[Anonymous]

One of the very best things I did on my layout was getting rid of that awful flouresent fixture and replacing it with track lights - huge improvement:

Before:

After:

 

i will agree with you here..i got 4  4 ft flour light fixtures in the garage and the lighting is not natural it seems...or doesnt flow correctly..i a myself am  looking for another way to light my area....

 

chuck: i think i am gonna do what you did and find lights just for my train area and leave the flour for other lighting...

[raymans]

I am using fluorescents and also have track lighting with a dimmer.

My initial idea was to use the fluorescents to work on the layout and the track for running and pics but have found that my pictures come out fine with the fluorescents.

and when I do take pictures with the track lights dimmed about half way they seem to come out with way too much red.

I believe the fluorescents are daylight white and the tracks are GE Reveal bulbs.

 

here are a couple of samples

 

 

[mickey4479]

I have flouresent shop light fixtures to illuminate my layout for now.  They were very inexpensive when I bought them.  I have spaced them to achieve a pretty even light condition, but there are some areas that could be illuminated better.  I have experimented with the daylight bulbs and they do indeed affect the warm color vs the cool or bright white light.  The track lighting is certainly more appealing from the stand point of the asthetics of the room.  If I could do it all over again, I would probably use individual spots with the sun light flouresent bulbs instead in incandescent to save energy.  

[Smoke Stack Lightnin']

For less than the cost of an engine, you might want to consider stage lighting.  I mail ordered some equipment from musiciansfriend.com.  For about $170 I purchased 4 Par 38 light "cans", a four channel dimmer switch/effects module (I don't use the effects, just the dimmers), 4 extra 150 watt bulbs, and the clamps to mount the lights to a six foot section of pipe hanging from the ceiling.  I bought color lighting gel paper which comes in many colors.  I use magenta, yellow, blue, and a grayish color which simulates moon light.  I don't have a digital camara so can not do pictures on the computer (sorry), or I'd show you the dramatic effects you can achieve.  At the website, look up stage lighting equipment.  The four channel (about $65) mixer is all you probably need.  Don't get scared by the more pricy professional theatre lighting.

Just food for thought,

Stack