We all know that lighting is a major part of the realism achieved with any layout . I was lucky with the CSW in its present location as it was in a room bathed in natural light. Since we are moving the layout to a garage I will need to light it properly . What methods do you use, and what works best? On previous layouts I have had success with track lighting using different coloraed bulbs, similar to those colors used to light stages . Good luck and Happy Modeling!! John
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Posted by millcstl (Member # 60) on :
John, Lighting is a subject clost to my heart. (Even though I'm no stage lighting expert!) I have fooled around with different light sources but for the money, unless you have a situation that allows valence lighting, I've been happiest with track lighting. It's easy to vary wattages and colours for different nighttime and daylight effects. Using a rheostat (dimmer) you can set up great day/night effects for little cost. Although flouresent lighting is cheaper, cooler and less expensive, the "daylight bulbs are of only one watt value,40, and the "daylight" value is kind of hard to work with photographically, so I've been told. Maybe someone else out there knows somthing more about the photo topic. One note on the track lighting, however, make sure you keep track of the total wattage you plan to install for your layout and that it does not exceed the amperage rating of the circut your going to put it on. I strongly reccomend having an independent circut of 20 amps for this. Also a standard light dimmer will only handel about 12.5 amps so make sure you get one rated for your circut load. Remember the Rio Grande, Scott
Posted by Mike C (Member # 35) on :
I use cheap Sears shoplights with 2 40 watt daylight bulbs on my layout. Give lots of light and dont heat up the room very much.....Mike
. I was lucky with the CSW in its present location as it was in a room bathed in natural light. Since we are moving the layout to a garage I will need to light it properly 
. What methods do you use, and what works best? On previous layouts I have had success with track lighting using different coloraed bulbs, similar to those colors used to light stages 
. Good luck and Happy Modeling!!