I've just recently moved my small HO layout to a different part of our basement. The layout fits nicely into this nook but the lighting isn't as good. I had used a fairly large desk lamp before but it's "on its last legs" and doesn't look that good.

So my wife bought me two small desk lamps from Canadian Tire but they're too small and don't give off enough light. After running the layout for 20-30 minutes, I often feel a little tired -- so I guess it's pretty obvious that poor lighting can cause some sort of fatigue.

I know that, in the UK, one manufacturer has developed some lights specifically for model railways -- but they cost a lot and I think this is a little OTT!

Just wondering what sort of lights other members use or recommend ... I'm thinking of heading back to Canadian Tire this weekend and simply buying a larger, brighter desk lamp that can swing over the layout.

Thanks,

Rob

I always find that Fluorescent Shop Lights work the best.



They look a lot better than the standard yellow bulbs

tomustang Wrote:I always find that Fluorescent Shop Lights work the best.



They look a lot better than the standard yellow bulbs

Thanks, Tom. I think you're right and that fluorescent lights might make the layout's lighting look more natural. Rob

I use twisty florescents.



See:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/lighting/

Thank you if you visit
Harold

Both are great ideas, depending on how permanent or temporary you want to be.

In fact, the shop light idea may have solved one of my problems. My layout is in a spare bedroom, and right now the "lighting" is a fixture in the center of the ceiling. I was going to wire in two rows of track lights along each wall, but that means going into the attic and running new wires, and installing a new switch. Instead, I think I will buy two rows of shop lights, and replace the ceiling fixture with a duplex to plug the shop lights into. I will then hang each shop light over one half of my layout. All I need to do is put a par of hooks in the ceiling for each light.

I use 4 lamp fluorescent fixtures in my basement. They are the "T-8" ,skinny bulbs that use a electronic ballast. That ballast will not leak like some "T-12" ,fatter tubes tend to do when they go bad. Also, they do not contain any pcb's like the older T-12 do. Instead of the cool white lamps I also use the day light type, there color balance is better for taking pics. They give me enough light that I seldom need a flash. I got lucky and got the fixtures free ,but they were in bad shape. I was able to get 6 working fixtures out of the 9 that I got. Any fixture can be converted from a T-12 to a T-8 just by changing the ballast, the sockets are all the same. look at any of my pics to see the results that i get with them.

The standard caveat applies. Fluorescent lamps are called such because the powder coating inside the tube "fluoresces" when excited by UV (black) light, created by the ionized gas in the tube. Ultra Violet light will, over time, bleach the colors out of just about anything.
The standard benefit applies. The sun's UV also bleaches all the color out of everything, therefore, "natural fading of paint on all your rolling stock, buildings etc.", in "real time"!

Thanks for these suggestions. The twisty fluorescents might work. My lighting would need to be temporary and easy to set up. I'll see if I can find something tomorrow. Cheers, Rob

Well, I bought a large desk lamp today from Staples. I really like it because the new "environmentally-friendly" type of light bulb gives of a nice white-coloured light (not the typical yellow as with the older styles). It gives off an almost a fluorescent colour or effect, so it really lights up this small railway quite well. Nothing like a cheap & cheerful solution! Rob

Last year I bought some OTT lights from Costco. These are supposed to mimic natural light and Costco was selling them for less than another store was selling bulbs. I haven't used them on the layout, just my workbench, but a pair might just do your layout. Only problem is, the colour may not match your workbench.

BR60103 Wrote:Last year I bought some OTT lights from Costco. These are supposed to mimic natural light and Costco was selling them for less than another store was selling bulbs. I haven't used them on the layout, just my workbench, but a pair might just do your layout. Only problem is, the colour may not match your workbench.

Thanks, David. I'll check out Costco's options then as we do have memberships and frequent the store a fair bit.

Actually, I don't have an "official" work bench -- I just set up where I can find any spare room, such as the dining room table (a risky spot) or a kitchen counter.

Rob

I used T4 Fluorescent fixtures with daytime color bulbs.

Hey tom where did you get that fixture from? The reason i ask is i got one simaler and after 15 to 20 min of being lit iy goes out and does not come back on, i have to shut it off and the process starts all over.

I prefer natural light from windows if possible..If not then I what I use is -well-ah hem-a floor lamp with shade since I don't like overhead lights.This works quite well for me..I use 100 watt bulbs.

railroader9731 Wrote:Hey tom where did you get that fixture from? The reason i ask is i got one simaler and after 15 to 20 min of being lit iy goes out and does not come back on, i have to shut it off and the process starts all over.

I bought it from walmart over a year ago, if you're having the problem that you're saying try returning it. I never had that problem before. The company is called Lights Of America