overhead lighting new train room

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am building a new train room 15’x30’ HO scale probably around the room or island type layout in the cuurent rough wiring stage looking for suggestions on overhead lighting of this train room. Looking at fluorescent lights & or incandescent (incandesent on dimmer switches for effect lighting?) on seperate switches. I am new to the hobby any suggestions would be helpfull, along with any mag. articles on the subject. thank you. Albatross

2

Hello Albertross,

I’ve used incandescents and fluorescents, and I definitely favor the latter. My lighting is four-foot fixtures equipped with color-correct bulbs that simulate the full spectrum of sunlight. A little more pricey than cool white fluorescents, but the results are worth it.

I hide my lights behind a valance for a shadow-box effect.

Regards,

Paul Schmidt

3

Where do you find these “color correct” bulbs? I have looked in the usual places without any luck. Maybe I’m asking for the wrong thing. Is there another name they might go by?

Terry (Ohio)

4

Color corrected bulbs or tubes for flourescent lamps can be found or ordered from the lighting department of ANY Lowes or Home Depot or any store that has “Lighting” in it’s name. Sylvania, Osram, GE or any others have such in their catalog. In the sewing business I ran for years for a color correct light without spending an arm and a leg I just combined flourescent tubes with an adjustable incandescent fixture and used that dimmer to get the mix just right. it WORKS and allows you to match the natural light spectrum of sunlight outside. Flourscent light is GREEN! and the incandescent is more yellow to orange.
Good luck and Enjoy!
Doug (in Utah)

5

In our train room we have flourescent and track lighting. We use the flourescent to work by and the other to operate trains by.We accent various scenes with the track lights as well as simulate times of day by using the dimmer.Great effect!
Wiggs in Ind.

6

Wiggs is correct.

My layout room has standard fluorescent fixtures for working and two separate sets of track lighting for daylight (normal) and night time (blue) lighting effects. Now, if I can just find an automatic dimmer that can switch between the two!

tom
lemont, il