Join the discussion on the following article:
Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Installing a hardboard backdrop, Part 3 – Layout lighting
What was the cost of this system?
Very good development for layout lighting. Can see where this would work on my own layout as I am planning on using two foot hardboard backdrops and David’s lighting would do the job for layout without prospect of ceiling mounted lighting.
A really great solution to a problem! Well done.
Can’t beat a bit of serendipity David! Great video.
You might also look at LED lighting. I was at HD the other day and was amazed at the wide array of relatively inexpensive LED lights that have appeared recently. They use a lot less power and are dimmable so you can do night scenes. They even have “LED Tubes” that can go in an existing fluorescent light fixture! The Valence definitely gives it a more finished look.
led gu10 lamps might work well as they are more directional and generate less heat too
That really turned out nicely. Good description on how easy it was to install the lighting. I really liked the addition of the valance, it adds a nice feature to the layout.
Not sure why but the curved valance does sort of class up the front façade of the layout. So what color will you paint the valance? will it match the fascia or the sky blue backdrop?
Based on the use in the UK ( 240v ) I wouldn’t use halogen as the light source. They emit a fair amount of heat which is not beneficial to models or track. There are a number of LED fittings available which plug into similar lighting track which produce little or no heat
I like the “happy accident”. It shows that not all projects go according to our initial assumptions and is a good example of thinking on your feet to find an interesting solution to a problem. Question for David, since I think you previously mentioned a background in theatrical sets, will the goose neck lamps provide too much downward light, creating extra shadows on the scene?
Hey gang,
Just a couple of quick answers to questions:
I’d used LEDs to good effect on the Olympia layout last year, but the cost was fairly outrageous for what amounted to lighting a 2 x 5 foot area. Looking for something less expensive and a bit different this time I tried the track lighting. I paid less than a quarter of the LED price and covered twice the space with light.
While the end results are very nice, I was disappointed that I couldn’t use the fixtures as originally planned, that is without the valance. As you will see in the next video, adding the extra structure introduced a balance problem with the narrow layout that I had to address.
And, while I am pleased with the moody, shadows the lights cast on the scenery, they are effectively lighting the models from behind, which isn’t always ideal. A better solution would have been to place the lights along the front of the layout, but that would have duplicated the shadow box of Olympia, and I’m always trying to cover new ground with our video projects.
As for heat, the lights are low-wattage and far enough away from the scenery that heat isn’t an issue, even when left on all day. Remember we live in Wisconsin and can use all the heat we can get, but the models don’t care for it much.
Thanks for the comments! The lights were worth the work.
David
Great idea on the lights, outstanding. It really will look great once everything is painted. I have lights on tracks above my layout but I but a dimer switch and that helps with the time of day you want of course I hard wired my. I’m not sure if you can but slide switch in you wiring for your lights, its seems to me you can.
Very nice lighting. My experience with halogen lighting has been tremendous heat generated by the lamps. I have used track lighting with CFL lamps - very little heat, and reasonable cost(4’ track and 3 lamps for around $30 at Menards). The LED lamps are too ‘spendy’ and the light output stated on the package just is not equal to a CFL lamp.
Jim
Bright idea,David! Hee hee!
That lighting rig could hold up a dust cover when the layout is stored
I believe these lights are dimmable as well, giving you even more control.