https://bigbluetrains.com/ Fri, 29 May 2026 22:35:50 +0000 MyBB https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4482 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:04:33 +0000 Academy Staff]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4482
LIGHTING THE LAYOUT
For most model railway enthusiasts, lighting a model railway room means simply switching on the mains switch and either a 1OOwatt or 15Owatt light bulb springs to life. To my mind, the layout at this stage, looks dull and lifeless. Why not think about the railway layout as a theatrical stage, and when lit up properly, will bring it to life. There are two ways of going about lighting a layout room. First, if you just want to light the layout for viewing only with no thoughts about possible photographs at a later date, other than Black & White, then placing 6Owatt spot lights at various intervals around the room and disregarding the main light overhead, works very well. - Secondly, the use of FLUORESCENT DAYLIGHT TUBES can be used to great effect. (More on these later)

SPOT LIGHTS FOR EFFECT
If you place one spot light in each corner of the room where the layout is housed, and a further one in the middle of these walls, once the lights are switched on, you will notice that the focus of attention has shifted to the layout and not the surrounding area's. Make sure also that you put each spot light on a separate switch. To create a night time effect you could replace two of the corner bulbs with blue bulbs, not daylight bulbs. Now let us consider lighting the layout for a natural light source and also be able to photograph the layout in colour, without the need for any studio lighting what so ever.

When I first started to build a railway in its own environment, I started to think about lighting it properly, to show it off if you like. So, I mounted spot lights at various locations. These spot lights whilst pleasing to the eye, under normal viewing conditions were in fact, useless when it came for me to photograph the layout. I had to fit a blue filter to the camera lens(8OB or 8OA -- Daylight Film -- 1OO ISO ) The time exposures were far too long and reciprocity failure was I think, creeping in. So I looked around for some other way to photograph the layout without resorting to my 1OOO watt and 5OO watt flood lights I had used when I was a professional photographer. These 1OOO and 5OO watt lamps I might add when used with either 8OA or 8OB blue filter gave excellent results, for print film, and even better results if using a tungsten slide film, as no filters are required. The trouble of trying to get the flood lights at the right height and in the right place, to eliminate most of the shadows, warranted a change to something simple. My layout room was not designed to place tripods behind as well as in front of the layout, so photofloods couldn't be used. I did consider using booms attached to the tripods, but even then, I would have had a hard job getting them into the right place.

FLUORESCENT DAYLIGHT TUBES
I found what I was looking for in the form of FLUORESCENT DAYLIGHT TUBES, these tubes are rated at 55OO degrees Kelvin and are perfect match for colour photography, when using daylight type slide or print film. A little explanation on colour temperature verses colour prints, or for that matter colour slides. Light is measured in degrees Kelvin, and at around mid-day outside, is roughly 55OO degrees Kelvin. These tubes come in 4' 5' and 6' lengths, and are only a little bit more expensive than normal household fluorescent tubes, and as they match daylight temperature, no filters i.e. 8OA or 8OB are required.

Unfortunately, Household fluorescent tubes cannot be used because they give a greenish cast to slide or colour prints. You can buy a filter for use using the tubes, but I wouldn't recommend it. Anyway, - I purchased one to try it out on a daylight slide film. I rigged it up in the railway room, switched off the other lights and with just the one daylight tube, used a full 24 exposure film up, trying out various combinations of exposure times, and also using a mirror to reflect the light.

When the slide film came back to me, I was amazed at the colours, they were almost the exact colours on the layout. As I had kept a record of the exposure times and the shots I took, I found that the best results with just the one tube was f5.6 Okay, as f22 or better was needed, all I needed were more tubes, so off I went and purchased seven more 5' daylight tubes, and fitted the lot to my ceiling at 18" intervals.

The next day I bought two films, one print and the other slide. On getting home I first of all loaded the print film up so I could develop and print my own colour, I switched on all eight
tubes and photographed all aspects of the layout at f22 - f32. When the prints were finally out of the fix, washed and dried, I must say, I was very pleased with the results.
The slide film was used, sent away, and on return was also very good.

Oh yes, I still use the spot lights for normal running of trains, as the effects are great, but, off they go when I need some photographs. These Daylight Fluorescent Tubes are also kinder to the eyes for working on the layout, I have just the one 5' tube switched on most of the time I am working on the layout. Apart from anything else, it is a natural light and the colours on the layout look right. Even if you use the spot lights, they are giving off a yellowish light and although your eyes get used to it, you cannot take any photographs with them on without filters, you would have a colour cast.

There is one point about the fluorescent tubes, and that is to keep them clean, as they collect dust, the colour temperature of 55OO degrees. Kelvin shifts a little, although you might not notice this, the camera will. I tend to clean mine just before a photo session, to make sure all will be well.]]>
LIGHTING THE LAYOUT
For most model railway enthusiasts, lighting a model railway room means simply switching on the mains switch and either a 1OOwatt or 15Owatt light bulb springs to life. To my mind, the layout at this stage, looks dull and lifeless. Why not think about the railway layout as a theatrical stage, and when lit up properly, will bring it to life. There are two ways of going about lighting a layout room. First, if you just want to light the layout for viewing only with no thoughts about possible photographs at a later date, other than Black & White, then placing 6Owatt spot lights at various intervals around the room and disregarding the main light overhead, works very well. - Secondly, the use of FLUORESCENT DAYLIGHT TUBES can be used to great effect. (More on these later)

SPOT LIGHTS FOR EFFECT
If you place one spot light in each corner of the room where the layout is housed, and a further one in the middle of these walls, once the lights are switched on, you will notice that the focus of attention has shifted to the layout and not the surrounding area's. Make sure also that you put each spot light on a separate switch. To create a night time effect you could replace two of the corner bulbs with blue bulbs, not daylight bulbs. Now let us consider lighting the layout for a natural light source and also be able to photograph the layout in colour, without the need for any studio lighting what so ever.

When I first started to build a railway in its own environment, I started to think about lighting it properly, to show it off if you like. So, I mounted spot lights at various locations. These spot lights whilst pleasing to the eye, under normal viewing conditions were in fact, useless when it came for me to photograph the layout. I had to fit a blue filter to the camera lens(8OB or 8OA -- Daylight Film -- 1OO ISO ) The time exposures were far too long and reciprocity failure was I think, creeping in. So I looked around for some other way to photograph the layout without resorting to my 1OOO watt and 5OO watt flood lights I had used when I was a professional photographer. These 1OOO and 5OO watt lamps I might add when used with either 8OA or 8OB blue filter gave excellent results, for print film, and even better results if using a tungsten slide film, as no filters are required. The trouble of trying to get the flood lights at the right height and in the right place, to eliminate most of the shadows, warranted a change to something simple. My layout room was not designed to place tripods behind as well as in front of the layout, so photofloods couldn't be used. I did consider using booms attached to the tripods, but even then, I would have had a hard job getting them into the right place.

FLUORESCENT DAYLIGHT TUBES
I found what I was looking for in the form of FLUORESCENT DAYLIGHT TUBES, these tubes are rated at 55OO degrees Kelvin and are perfect match for colour photography, when using daylight type slide or print film. A little explanation on colour temperature verses colour prints, or for that matter colour slides. Light is measured in degrees Kelvin, and at around mid-day outside, is roughly 55OO degrees Kelvin. These tubes come in 4' 5' and 6' lengths, and are only a little bit more expensive than normal household fluorescent tubes, and as they match daylight temperature, no filters i.e. 8OA or 8OB are required.

Unfortunately, Household fluorescent tubes cannot be used because they give a greenish cast to slide or colour prints. You can buy a filter for use using the tubes, but I wouldn't recommend it. Anyway, - I purchased one to try it out on a daylight slide film. I rigged it up in the railway room, switched off the other lights and with just the one daylight tube, used a full 24 exposure film up, trying out various combinations of exposure times, and also using a mirror to reflect the light.

When the slide film came back to me, I was amazed at the colours, they were almost the exact colours on the layout. As I had kept a record of the exposure times and the shots I took, I found that the best results with just the one tube was f5.6 Okay, as f22 or better was needed, all I needed were more tubes, so off I went and purchased seven more 5' daylight tubes, and fitted the lot to my ceiling at 18" intervals.

The next day I bought two films, one print and the other slide. On getting home I first of all loaded the print film up so I could develop and print my own colour, I switched on all eight
tubes and photographed all aspects of the layout at f22 - f32. When the prints were finally out of the fix, washed and dried, I must say, I was very pleased with the results.
The slide film was used, sent away, and on return was also very good.

Oh yes, I still use the spot lights for normal running of trains, as the effects are great, but, off they go when I need some photographs. These Daylight Fluorescent Tubes are also kinder to the eyes for working on the layout, I have just the one 5' tube switched on most of the time I am working on the layout. Apart from anything else, it is a natural light and the colours on the layout look right. Even if you use the spot lights, they are giving off a yellowish light and although your eyes get used to it, you cannot take any photographs with them on without filters, you would have a colour cast.

There is one point about the fluorescent tubes, and that is to keep them clean, as they collect dust, the colour temperature of 55OO degrees. Kelvin shifts a little, although you might not notice this, the camera will. I tend to clean mine just before a photo session, to make sure all will be well.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4481 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:29:24 +0000 Academy Staff]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4481
Just finished scratchbuilding a climax body, all made using stripwood and various parts from my scrapbox. The chassis is in fact an MDC shay chassis. The main boiler on the climax hides the motor.

  climax1.jpg (Size: 82.84 KB / Downloads: 2160) ]]>
Just finished scratchbuilding a climax body, all made using stripwood and various parts from my scrapbox. The chassis is in fact an MDC shay chassis. The main boiler on the climax hides the motor.

  climax1.jpg (Size: 82.84 KB / Downloads: 2160) ]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4479 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:56:12 +0000 Academy Staff]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4479
Nearly finished my Engine shed, however here is a shot of the completed (Not painted) shed and shed roof details. The actual roof has to have the slats down it yet and footboards added, but that’s when all painting is complete.

  engineshed.jpg (Size: 90.38 KB / Downloads: 1716) ]]>
Nearly finished my Engine shed, however here is a shot of the completed (Not painted) shed and shed roof details. The actual roof has to have the slats down it yet and footboards added, but that’s when all painting is complete.

  engineshed.jpg (Size: 90.38 KB / Downloads: 1716) ]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4309 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:39:27 +0000 Academy Staff]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4309
Been busy making all the machinery for the 0n30 sawmill.
Shamus

]]>
Been busy making all the machinery for the 0n30 sawmill.
Shamus

]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4308 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:33:53 +0000 Academy Staff]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4308

Been busy scratchbuilding this Donkey engine and flatcar. Just about to be delivered to Cooncreek lumber Co.
Shamus

]]>

Been busy scratchbuilding this Donkey engine and flatcar. Just about to be delivered to Cooncreek lumber Co.
Shamus

]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4307 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:31:22 +0000 Academy Staff]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4307

Been busy today making this little scrap pile.
Shamus

]]>

Been busy today making this little scrap pile.
Shamus

]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4306 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:28:35 +0000 Academy Staff]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4306


Water tower is going to be very busy in a short while as both shays need a drink.
Shamus

]]>


Water tower is going to be very busy in a short while as both shays need a drink.
Shamus

]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4305 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:25:35 +0000 Academy Staff]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4305


This old 2-8-0-war horse has finally had its day; she will just sit out the rest of her days in the knowledge that she served her country well.

]]>


This old 2-8-0-war horse has finally had its day; she will just sit out the rest of her days in the knowledge that she served her country well.

]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4304 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:17:46 +0000 Academy Staff]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4304
Here's a photo taken with just the lights in the shed and a little time exposure as well.

]]>
Here's a photo taken with just the lights in the shed and a little time exposure as well.

]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=25 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:19:46 +0000 ngauger]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=25
The doctors and nurses at the charity run Telford Hospice did an excellent job in making his last few days as comfortable as possible.

At loosing my father I am devastated, but a part of me is comforted that he is no longer suffering.

If any members in the UK would like to attend the funeral I will post details when I have them.

Shamus, Dad, you will be sorely missed.]]>
The doctors and nurses at the charity run Telford Hospice did an excellent job in making his last few days as comfortable as possible.

At loosing my father I am devastated, but a part of me is comforted that he is no longer suffering.

If any members in the UK would like to attend the funeral I will post details when I have them.

Shamus, Dad, you will be sorely missed.]]>