A few years back I recall either a magazine article or PBS TV modelers show which show a layout using fiber optic threads to appear as fireworks, in a night sky. The mechanics were mounted under the layout with PVC or ABS piping and motors to rise and lower the threads.
And there my recall ends.[8]
Is there anyone who may recall this article or episode PLEASE[?]
If you do could you please write back the referance[?]
I would even welcome suggestions on how I could pull off this animation[?]
I’ve seen this done before, but it sounds a little complicated, I only know how to do it for bursts of color, and a little fading.
You’d need a bundle of fiber-optic wire over a colored disk, which is illuminated by some type of light. Put pinholes in you backdrop, and stick the fibers through them.
Drawing:
(sorry for the poor quality, I just captured a screen off my desktop.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/Th1nkg33k/PSD/desktop.jpg
Go to your local drugstore/pharmacy (Walgreens here in Illinois.) Look for a cheap ten-dollar fiber-optic lamp that changes colors, you’ll see what I mean.
[img]http://www.fiberopticproducts.com/UFO2.JPG[/img[
This fireworks effect might have been on Rick Spano’s Scenicked and Undecided N scale layout, which I recall was included on one segment of the early Tracks Ahead video series. Spano had a couple of articles in MR about 25 years ago, one of which might detail how the display was created.
CNJ831
The Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum in Bandana Sqaure, Saint Paul, Minnesota, has a fiber-optic fireworks setup that was a retail product once upon a time. Every now and then (usually for night trains) they set it up over the Mississippi river section of the layout.
It looks like simple sprays of fiber-optic bundles, but each bundle has its own lighting supply, and a controller does an instant-on-fade-to-black for them, also providing sound effects. Looks pretty nice, but not as high-tech as some of the fancy stuff you can get today for ceilings and such.
Somedays, you wonder if it would be easier to cheat, take some video of fireworks using a tripod to steady the camera, make sure you have a good black background, then project this in a loop onto your backdrop.
My thanks to all. These are great leads and solutions.
To Th1nkG33K my son, son-in-law, and grandsons & grand-daughter will be opening up our backdrop in the next few weeks to apply some fiber optics. My son beleives we can even apply your method to select billboards, store signs, West Point military artillery, as well as, amusement parks.
To CNJ831 I have started to GOOGLE and DOGPILE Mr. Spano. I am starting to think he was the subject of the TV show. What made it sound fimiliar is Mr. Spano was also the name of our church organist.
To jhugart my son-in-law is talking up a “ROAD TRIP” to the Twin Cites to check out the museum you had mentioned. Sounds like a plan to the old man…as long as I don’t have to drive. It’s your idea of the bundleing that will give the layout that 3-D effect of fireworks in the sky.
We tried last July 4th your idea of videotaping a hugh fireworks display in our hometown. We recorded it from the roof of the TV station where I work. It last just over 30 mins. For the playback I dubbed the show over and over again lasting over 4 hrs. Then we moved my son’s wide-screen monitor behind the layout. It was what it was. The image was flat, no definition. I’m concerned it would happen again if I make a .jpeg file for powerpoint projection.
Again guys thanks for your help;
Keep your boiler stoked & and your coal dry;
J
