Model Railroading > Layout lighting problem solved, sort of

My Texas & Gulf layout lighting comes from LED can lights above, and is adequate for switching
ops as everyone that comes over can see the cars and locations just fine.

It had bothered me that the upper deck blocks light on the backdrops, but that didn't affect
a players ability to see the car numbers or read switch lists.  I purchased some strip LED
lighting and applied the strings to the underside of the upper deck.  It lights the scene better,
not perfect and there may be a better solution in the future, but better is better than not better.


1.  Before strip lighting
2.  After lighting installed
3.  Underside of upper deck.

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You could always add more than one string too....

Nice work. Those metal supports look like they're working out too.

As long as the color temperatures of the room lighting are close to the under-shelf light ( or fill lighting ) it keeps those shadows from infringing on the sense of enjoyment. One famous writer would suggest the phrase ' a clean well lighted place ', same idea.
t4p.

New lighting sure helped.

Looks good

For appearance sake, is it possible to relocate the LED strips forward to just behind the upper deck fasicia?
Would you still have the light you need?

TCnR Wrote:
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> Nice work. Those metal supports look like they're

Those look like the same supports I bought at Lowes to support my main yard area over staging.  I used threaded rods for additional outboard support as much of this level is 24 inches wide.  Here is a construction photo.

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PHall Wrote:
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> For appearance sake, is it possible to relocate
> the LED strips forward to just behind the upper
> deck fasicia?
> Would you still have the light you need?


I taped them in various positions before final placement, and right down the middle was the best for removing shadows.

One can't see them unless one tilts one's head to look underneath.

Consider putting something over the threads, maybe some large diameter shrink tubing or similar. I've whacked my arm on that stuff and it's not pretty.
Just decided to paint my L-brackets a dull light grey before installing them, they just fade away.
Progress looks good.
t4p.


> I used threaded rods for additional outboard
> support as much of this level is 24 inches wide. 
> Here is a construction photo.