Lighting is everything!
This is the first serious layout that I have built. So of course it must have great lighting. After shopping around and pricing everything out I decided that not just lighting was important but the cost(s) that comes with it (Now and everyday they are on). The CSX Dixie Line has come up with a great and easy to follow How to Lighting page. I like the idea he has come up with, but I need 30+ fixtures, placing them a little more then 2 feet apart. Using Jamie's fixtures puts me around $160. That's more then I am willing to pay for lights, so off to google I went!
I searched many sites, found many options, none cheaper then the idea Jamie came up with. Then, while strolling threw Wal-mart I came across the cheapest lighting option I could find. They offer some $6.50 double flood lights, they are a bit more then the single sockets I found at Menard's for 2.99 but come with wire nuts and offer a great way to mount to the layout with out buying anything more. I drilled a 1/2" hole and inserted the end that orginaly threaded into the base of the flood light, it is a snug fix but I am going to glue them also. The bulbs also come from Wal-mart, 75w warm light, energy efficent, $.97.
My lighting system will cost around $126.00 or about 4.25 per fixture. (still to much in my mind)
I searched many sites, found many options, none cheaper then the idea Jamie came up with. Then, while strolling threw Wal-mart I came across the cheapest lighting option I could find. They offer some $6.50 double flood lights, they are a bit more then the single sockets I found at Menard's for 2.99 but come with wire nuts and offer a great way to mount to the layout with out buying anything more. I drilled a 1/2" hole and inserted the end that orginaly threaded into the base of the flood light, it is a snug fix but I am going to glue them also. The bulbs also come from Wal-mart, 75w warm light, energy efficent, $.97.
My lighting system will cost around $126.00 or about 4.25 per fixture. (still to much in my mind)
My trip to Menard's resulted in crossing paths with some 1"x4" x 6' pine. At only 1.15$ per board its very effective, cost efficient, easy to use and greatly to my surprise none of it has split while sinking screws. It is not the highest quality lumber. but, Doing some digging and eyeing up the boards, I had no trouble finding some that are "good enough" They come in all different lenghts and withs but 6' fits in my car much better then 8'.
I have no idea how i could see what i was doing without the lighting. Its amazing how much better they make the layout, locomotives and freight cars look, I never noticed the detail in some of my freight cars. Especially the few quality ones I own.
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