Rope Lights! Under Layout Lighting

[Anonymous]

They're great! I started using rope lights over my hidden staging yard over two years ago. I'm fortunate in that I have enough room to stand up inside the staging yard (under a mountain) and the rope lights give enough light to see if I have to. I also cut a couple holes in the fascia and covered them with plexi glass so now I can see, from the aisle, what trains are inside if I lose track (rare). The plexi glass is also a big hit during our several times a year open house(s) because not only can the hidden staging tracks be seen but so can two different levels of the main line. They also come in handy during monthly operating sessions for road crews who like to see where their train is when pulling into staging.

Yep, rope lights are great! And, they're cheap!

[gmpullman]

I just bought a 24 foot length at Lowe's and screwed the plastic clips to my benchwork and clipped the lights up. True that there's not a whole lot of candlepower there but it does provide just enough light under the benchwork for troubleshooting and lighting those dark corners.
An added bonus is that it provides an excellent way to light the aisles for night running with the room lights off. Just enough light spills into the aisle to prevent tripping hazards and doesn't affect the darkness that you want to simulate night running.

[Anonymous]

Gmpullman,

How come I never thought of that. I found them on sale at most all the major drug stores, after Christmas. They were Between $5.00 and $7.00. Wish I'd found this out sooner, I'd have bought them out!! Now that I think about it, I've also seen them at the dollar store just a couple of weeks ago.
But, the guys are right, You'll have to keep them at least 6" away from any DCC wiring. That shouldn't be a big problem; the rope Lights could be attached to the wall or the layout legs. The light doesn't care.

William North [bow]

[cheese3]

I am deffinatly going to try this one...THANKS!!!![:D]

[Train 284]

Good idea! I use that sort of rope lighting myself for my layout as well.

[TomDiehl]

Of course the blue ones would be good for night effects.

[orsonroy]

They're different sizes of Christmas tree lights. I have no idea what the small, most common ones are called, but the C7 and C9 lights are both bigger, and come as screw-in bulbs. The C9s are the larger of the three, and are designed for outdoor use and occasionally getting wet.

[chateauricher]

Can someone tell me what "C-9" and "C-7" lights are ?

[gmpullman]

I agree that on a multi-deck layout rope lights won't give off any where near the lumens needed and if I have a lot of wiring work in one area a task light is a good idea.
I think the rope lights under the bench work just eliminates (and illuminates) those dark corners. I have some of those 10w and 20w "puck lamps" used for lighting a hidden staging yard but halogens get pretty warm...

[orsonroy]

Rope lights don't give off enough light for a miltideck. You definitely end up with "3 minute to sundown" lighting from them, mostly because they're such small bulbs.

I went with strings of C9 lights. Hobby Lobby had 'em on sale this winter, so I loaded up. The C9's are designed for outdoor use, so run cool, and give off a LOT more light than either small Christmas lights or C7's. I'm planning on adding reflectors between them and the benchwork to give off even more light (compact mirrors would be perfect, if I can find them for around a quarter apiece)

[claycts]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gmpullman

I would keep it away from any DCC Loconet wiring come to think of it... don't want any stray 60Hz. induction problems!!

Agree, ALSO Big Lots had it on sale for $10.95 a 25ft coil, bought 10 coils. Was going to use it on the deck by the pool, Sold that house now it is going to be Valance lights around the layout. It burns cool and can be strung together. Gives a sort of sundown type of light. I will have it under the layout flush agains the facia. I am using a shield when I thin it is to close to the buss. In short Yes it would work as a better than dark, BUT you still need a task light also.

[gmpullman]

I would keep it away from any DCC Loconet wiring come to think of it... don't want any stray 60Hz. induction problems!!

[davekelly]

Yeah, I thought of this two years ago - - - I WISH! Sounds like a simple solution with minimal instalation problems. Of course you can get these things dirt cheap in the days after Christmas. Great idea!

[gmpullman]

Why didn't I think of this sooner! (Maybe somebody did?)
I'm in the process of ripping out tons of wire from under my layout... Thank you DCC!!!
So, I'm dragging around plug in work lights when it hit me! String a few lengths of clear rope lights, tie them up with tie-raps or use the mounting clips that come with the set. Nice even light with no glare, cool to the touch and no more dark corners under the benchwork! Home Despot has sets I think about 15 feet or so for cheep...
Wadda-ya-think??