Hundreds of metal and plastic models are available: houses, schools,
stores, motels, train yard buildings, most anything. Some come with an
interior light, others will need to have lights added.
| Lights in Structures | NEXT |
Structures present a great opportunity for adding lighting ACTION to a toy train layout.
Hundreds of metal and plastic models are available: houses, schools,
stores, motels, train yard buildings, most anything. Some come with an
interior light, others will need to have lights added.
| Lights in Structures |
| Structures with Lights |
| Light Holders |
| Adding Room Dividers and Lights |
| Structures with Lights | INDEX |
Purchased structures for a train layout often have interior lights.
The prewar tinplate (M.T.H. reproduction) to right has two lights, wired together and connected to fahnstock clips on the bottom.
With a little rewiring, the wiring to the light holders can be separated and independently controlled to create a varying lighting pattern for the house.| Light Holders | INDEX |
More lights can be added or lights installed in structures that don't come with them. It is as simple as installing and wiring some light holders. The most convenient light bulbs to use are "mini-screw" or "mini-bayonet." They are already common on a toy train layout and bulbs and holders are easily available.
A few examples are illustrated, following.
The plastic "mini-screw" lamp holder to right is easy to install and wire. Countersunk screw holes are used to attach the lamp holder to the structure base or layout platform; the building can just be placed over it.
Wires are attached to the screws.
The mini-screw holder to left is a little smaller than the plastic holder.
The mini-bayonet holder to right is similar.
Either is installed with a screw through one or both outer holes in the tabs, perhaps with a standoff to position and secure the light. The tabs can be bent to position the light just right.
Wires are soldered to each tab using the inner hole.
Consult Train Accessory Light Bulb Data and Light Bulb Selection Guides for appropriate light bulbs. Use Layout Lighting Suppliers to find sources for light bulbs and holders.
| Adding Room Dividers and Lights | INDEX |
Train layout structures can be augmented with room dividers and lights for each room. Random cycling of each light creates the illusion of people moving about the structure and turning lights on and off. Two lights in one room further enhances the effect by changing the illumination in a room.
A day/night lighting system can, for example, have lights in kitchens cycling on and off during the "day" and lights in bedrooms coming on occasionally during the "night."
The plastic motel to left has been augmented with mat board room dividers and lights in each of six rooms. The light holders are mini-bayonet mounted with sheet metal screws and 1/4 inch nylon standoffs.
Both wires of each light are brought out so the lights can be connected to operate with combined lighting actions. Each light is operated independently, producing a complex lighting action for just one structure. Some plastic models may require the roof and walls to be opaqued. A translucent material can be placed over the windows. Reflective foil on the inside of the roof, ceilings, or walls can enhance the lighting affect and help reflect heat from the bulbs. Cycling the lights, rather than leaving them on for long periods, can reduce the need for venting.Click a lighting topic to see how to wire the lights in your layout structures and for operating examples using Three-Rail Innovations' controllers.
| LAYOUT LIGHTING TOPICS | |