Hello folks. I’m reasonably new here. (first post anyhow) Since I’ve decided to get into the hobby, and before I discovered this forum, I started keeping a journal here: http://paullietrains.livejournal.com/
The following is a post I made to myself this morning and decided it was as good as anything for a first post here…sorry it’s so long. and yes, there is an actual question at the end.
…After my initial plunge of playing with scenery building and layout planning, I took a huge step back to look at what I was really undertaking here. The step from going to train set on a huge table to actual layout is just what I’ve been looking for in a hobby.
Some initial research revealed that I was so green I didn’t even know what I didn’t know.
Being a big picture kind of guy I googled into Benchwork, wiring, track laying pretty heavily while exploring scenery and structure options at the same time. After a bit, I hit solid gold, the model railroading forum over at trains.com. What a wealth of information! A bunch of great guys who have seen and built it all and seem to be very happy to help others out. I’ve not seen a need to even post a question yet. I’ve just searched the forum and found info I’ve been looking for to fill the huge gaps in my knowledge. Just from some initial browsing that site I’ve stumbled onto a couple of sites these guys keep. Two in particular have been priceless to me so far for helping me grab ahold of the big picture and inspriation. Mr Fugate’s site http://siskiyou-railfan.net/ which had me so engrossed, my wife was certain I had finally gone over the deep end the last several nights sitting in my recliner, latop perched on my lap and my scrawling in my ‘train notes’ notebook. The other, which truly opened the door to my specific project was Mr. Minkwitz’s howto on desert scenery on his
As far as the lighting question, the topic has been discussed many times. I don’t specifically recall the GE Reveal bulbs beeing mentioned, however.
The search function appears to still be trying to develop a full head of steam (pun intended [:o)] ) so you may have to wait a day or two in order to find that information. Please be patient until the bugs are (mostly) out of the new system.
Hi, and nice to hear from you. You sound excited…who wouldn’t be!!
I went with two 8’ tracks and installed five GU-10 halogen type fixtures per track over my 9’ X 14’ layout. The light is terrific, but they put out a hockey-sock full of heat. If your basement is cool, or will be, and if it is humid, they could be the ticket for you to keep your layout in good condition.
There is a lot to be said for flourescent lighting, too. Some worry about UV from them, but there is UV off halogens, too, but they are heavily filtered…same for flourescents.
I have not heard of “reveal” bulbs, but wonder about the claim that regular wattage bulbs put out more light. Does that mean the rest of the wattage is lost in heat…a not unreasonable expectation?
The reveal bulbs are natural light. It’s amazing to see them installed because about everything looks different. Cleaner. (Diffcult to describe.) I think I got that back wards. I meant to say Reveal bulbs are brighter.
Congratulations! If you have found that “Some initial research revealed that I was so green I didn’t even know what I didn’t know”. you have found the beginning of wisdom! [8D]
and yes, there is an actual question at the end.