Why is there a lack of lighting and operating accessories?

[dsmith]

Over the past several years I have seen many modular layouts at train shows and many elaborate permanent club layouts.  The one thing that seems lacking from almost all of them are lighting inside buildings, streetlights, operating accessories such as semaphores, block signals, gate crossings, crossing lights, yard spotlights, ect.   I could understand this if the builders didn't understand electricity very well, but these same layouts have incredible electrical wiring for the track.  I could also understand it if the builders didn't care much for scenery, but I've seen incredible scenery and custom buildings all without even a hint of lighting anywhere.  In contrast, I've seen many private layouts with nice lighting and operating accessories.  Why would there be a difference? 

[rtraincollector]

just a guess but most I've seen they are more into the acual running of the trains and the work they have done doing landscape ect than they are with lighting . I brought this up at a club I was becomming a member of befor I moved now we were just in the beginning stages but they were more concern with getting track down and all . in fact at the time they were just beginning to talk about buildings. Now heres another contrast to this most HO scale layouts I've seen club and private have lighting everywhere. houses buildings signals even traffic signals alot of them.

 I've always tried to add lights as I added buildings to my layouts. but alas now I don't have room for a permnet layout so I don't have this problem althou I'm trying to do a ceiling layout and plan to have signals and all up there that do work and I plan to have shelves under it with trains and building and now that you mention it probally will light up my buildings. and my opperating ones will probally be hooked up too.  

[mpzpw3]

From the few club layouts I've seen at shows I would guess it is for ease of installation. A limited amount of time to set up the layout, and take it down. Track isn't that hard, but add in lights and operating accesories, especially operating accessories requiring button and switches, and it gets pretty complicated.

[Joe Hohmann]

I belong to a "O" modular group who does 4-6 shows a year. I'd say one reason for lack of signals has to do with transporting these 3x4 (and larger) modules, which means that most of this stuff would have to be added after set-up. The set-up, as is, can take us 5-6 hours.

Yes, the "HO" and "N" club modules have a lot of signals, etc...but they take up a lot less room to transport them.

As far as accessories go, the feeling may be that they look too "toy like", and most "O" modular groups strive for a Hi-Rail look. I agree that it would be nice to see more "toy" modular set-ups, but unless you want to devote your time and money (including motel rooms, meals, gas, etc), please don't supply a "laundry list" of what you feel modular groups SHOULD be doing. Joe

[dsmith]

Hi Joe,

I wasn't implying that modular groups whould be doing anything different.  My question was just asking why modular and club layouts don't tend to have lights and accessories.  Your answer helped to explain why this is so.  Thanks.

 

[Eriediamond]

I can understand this and not knocking these layouts, but the lights and moveing accessories is what interests me. I guess because it takes me back to my childhood. Ken

[John Busby]

Hi dsmith

The first thought that came to mind was the million miles of wire needed but that doesn't stack up when you consider what goes into the average "HO" layout.

But I Offer a few thoughts

One the layout and any part there of must work faultlessly every time

Two the size of the accessories in "O" can be quite large so they must be separate parts this is not helpfull for the reliability factor or the risk of breakage in transport.

Three many of the accessories that seem to be deemed worthwhile, are now getting old and quite valuable these are likely to die on the exhibition cct, with I would suggest some difficulty getting parts to repair/ restore them.

On the home front

Only no One has to be concidered

As the home layout is more likely to have its own space, is not bumped around in the back of a truck every time it goes to exhibition.

That old accessory has been carefully looked after / restored and probably will out last the owner in normal home use.

The spectacular home layouts are the work of one or two people over many years

An exhibition layout is the work of many all with different ideas of what is the right way to do it so often to prevent disharmony a lot of things get left off.

In short the layouts live in different conditions and usage and have a different function.

regards John

 

[Joe Hohmann]

Hi Joe,

I wasn't implying that modular groups whould be doing anything different.

 

 

David, My "laundry list" comment was not directed at you...it's just that I get tired of seeing comments (mainly on other forums) telling us what we SHOULD do...like "let the kids run your trains", "be more friendly", "do more switching operations", etc. Joe