Lighting can make a layout, but as a group, we didn't have any experience, so we looked around at other layouts and settled on LED's. These would be fitted into 100mm black plastic guttering with a silver foil lining. For supports, we decided on 12mm copper pipe fitted to the rear of the layout, with wiring fed down the pipe to individual transformers. Ideally the pipe would be curved at the top rather than use soldered fittings. After some trials, we started fabrication and it all went well.
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| The former to curve the pipes. |
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| Brackets to secure the detachable guttering. Note the cut-out in the pipe end/side for the cables. |
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| The trestle adaptation: one hole for the pipe and one for the cable (big enough for the plug on the end!) |
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| The pipe supports were painted black. |
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Self-adhesive silver tape forms a reflector. Two metal rods ensure the join
between the two halves of the reflector is nice and solid. |
We weren't sure about the colour of the LED's so plumped for 2 x cold and 1 x warm white. They were individually powered, which enabled us to experiment. In the end, 1 of each was fine to get a nice effect, so we have a spare, if required. Velcro was wrapped around the pipe ends to allow signage to be fitted.
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| We are very happy with the lighting! |
Lighting from the front reduces shadows and the colour rendering is good. There are always a scary few moments setting up the lighting as the plugs can very easily slip into the open pipe end which can be a lengthy process to sort out. We just have to take extra, extra care setting it all up.
