Here’s something I just upgraded that I should have done a year or so ago.
The room had this single flouresent light fixture, which was just overhwelming. Felt like a scene out of "Joe & The Volcano in there:
Just had these new lights installed - what a huge difference:
Sure does help the photos:
Frank,
You’ve inspired me. My train room is lit by only 2 can-style fixtures recessed in the ceiling. It never ever seems bright enough down there. I’m going to have track lighting installed to brighten the place up. Maybe go halogen? Seriously, I’m going to do it. You sold me!
Jim
Looks good Frank, now just put a dimmer on those lights and you will be in train layout heaven as the light twinkle from your great buildings. [tup]
BTW, my camera has a setting for incandescent lighting. It really works.
P.S. I love the illusion of depth you’ve created in that last photo. Really well done!
Jim
Looks great! Are those halogen or standard incandescent???
underworld[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
Looks great!
Track lighting is great. If you want even more lighting effects for your layout you can get a different range of spots, floods, narrow floods, etc. Company’s such as Luttron also make programmable lighting centers that will allow you to simulate morning, day time, and evening on your layout. Some of the magazines have had articles in the past about doing lighting like this for the train room. (But I run toy trains, so I use lava lamps)
I’ve done a couple of the homes we’ve lived in with track lighting from Home Depot. One of the hidden “gotchas” that I ran into has to do with the “T” connectors when making an “H” track pattern on the ceiling.
The “T” connectors are not wired to make an “H” because of the location of the grounding tab on the “T” connector and the track (it makes sense when you look at them). To do so, you have to take one of the two “T” connectors apart, move the arms, and rewire the arms. Once you do this the grounds will be lined up correctly and you can make an “H”. This is easy to do - especially for model train folks!
Chris
Frank, the track lighting looks good. I prefer it to florecent becuase of the fact that it is softer and becuase it can be adjusted to a certain “brightness” to illuminate a scene. If you ever want to run some trains drop me a line.
great minds clearly think alike Buckeye, as I had a dimmer installed and can really start to experiment on lighting for photo. These are halogen.
Frank - WOW! What a difference those lights made. Noticed that you have a window there, as I do behind part of my layout. I just went to Home Depot the other day and purchased the window film that is a blue sky with clouds. Haven’t put it up yet but I have used it on 2 skylights in my sunroom and love it.
BTW - did you get the campfire pic I sent you?
Lisa
I’ve been thinking about track lights and you are inspiring me. Currently I have a ceiling fan with lights and it is less than adequate. This may be the start of something!
Jim
Frank, I’m looking forward to those night time shots of your train rolling past those building with their lights twinkling. It makes low light photos work. [bow]
I have to look into that - although I am thinking of extending teh backdrops in front of teh window.
Yes, I did get the photo - thank you. I thought I had responded to your email - didn’t mean to seem impolite.
Frank,
WOW! The difference is amazing!
That really looks great , Frank.
p.s. I love your tubular track !!!
Chuck
you are not alone in that thought, Chuck! [:D]
Frank,
That certainly is a big improvement in lighting. Aside from the better photos it must also be way easier on the eyes. Judging from your previous pictures it’s really made your layout jump to life. As with others here, I’ll use this type of illumination once I get to that point in the new layout room. You’ve sold me. Great job!
BTW, isn’t any type of illumination for the layout called “track lighting”? [;)]
Bruce Webster
Bruce,
I believe it’s “tubular track lighting”. [:)]
Jim
Since it took a year to finally get done, it sure ain’t “FasTrack” Lighting.
OH MAN does that give me some ideas for lighting my train room!
Ditto! I would like the extra light and the ability to aim it where I want.
Did you do this project yourself, Frank?
Jim