With my layout planning nearly complete, I am beginning to prepare the layout room. Step one is the lighting and valence.
Convention says that the valence is constructed out of a solid but flexible material like 1/8" hardboard (Masonite) or even sheet styrene. I was discussing this with my wife who offered: “Why not just use a fabric valence from, say, heavy cotton muslin?”
Huh? I’ve never heard of any layout with a fabric valence. But why not? Is it because more Model Railroaders are men (wi***hat weren’t so) and most of us are “sewing challenged”? Or is there something inherently wrong with using fabric?
Yes, I suspect that some light would leak through the fabric, but not much. In fact, my wife sugests that the light leakage would add some additional soft light to the aisleways.
My early estimates suggest that it might even be cheaper than hardboard and certainly easier to put up. And no painting is required!
So, has anyone seen or built a layout using fabric for the lighting valence?
If not, why do you think that is? If so, how well did it work?
Maybe we’ll all have to add “seamstress” to our list of modeling skills :-).
I have never seen it, but it sounds good. The issue of the fabric glowing is real, but choice of fabric or lining as in heavy drapes would help some. The other issue for me is flamibility. Maybe some of the florecents would work, but no bulbs especially halogin would be safe. I know they make fabric shades for lamps, but they are open ended on both sides and are down where they can be cared for and dusted. Even then I have seen them scorched pretty bad.
Actually, some of the black fabrics are quite opaque and wouldn’t leak much light at all… I bought some for another project that they Called Microfiber that I’ve used as a bellows lining on a home-made view camera… Doubled up, no light leaks. 2 yards of it was about $8 if I remember correctly and this particular fabric store was doubling the size of the piece at the time… So I actually got 4 yards… That’s 3 feet by 12 feet, plenty for a lighting valance in most smaller layout rooms…
I’ve seen this done on layouts and it works quite well… Just don’t have any light shining directly on it…
Use wool fanric if you are concerned about flammability or treat the fabric with some flame retarder. A theatrical supply place will have a spray on version.
It is light, cheap and opaque enough. I originally used it testing how much valence I needed. I liked it so much I will use it on the larger layout. It also doesn’t scrape the top of one’s head like a less flexible material. I have a “what I did” at:
Harold, I really like your idea. Yesterday I returned the 4 ft fluor shop lights and picked up the cheap ($5) round clamp on lights. My wife has velum, so that will come. I am also going to try the polyethylene as the valence.
Thanks for the great idea [^]
Lighting - In Dec my son-in-law is doing the electrical so the “ships rigging” will disappear.
I choose a different mounting method. Again, my wife found these really cheap ($2) plant hangers at the HD.
Since I did the original article I have went to the 100 watt equivalent twisty and have 4 per 8 feet. Their price now makes them more attractive and they can be used in the smaller clamp fixture. Now that I have moved the 4x8 to it’s final resting place the lighting witl be finalized.
