Author Topic: Module lighting and backdrop beginnings  (Read 554 times)

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ATSF_Ron

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Module lighting and backdrop beginnings
« on: February 05, 2024, 05:49:29 PM »
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After a long delay due to many months of unpacking and organizing, I finally got the lighting and backdrop back up in the new residence.  Please pardon the crude construction techniques as I used what I had on hand for the lighting mounts (cheap foam board taped together in sections).  This was mostly an experiment to see how I liked the color of the lights and to figure out how to mount them.  These were found on Amazon and were quite cheap, if I recall.  I have no idea who the manufacturer is, but I do recall it said "warm white" on the box.  I like the color, they run extremely cool, and were super easy to install.  Just peel n stick.  One strand is 16 ft.  I used two strands, running them 3 times across the bottom of the foam board.  In the photo, the back strand of LEDs is off.  I need to find the bad connection, as it was working a few minutes ago.

Observations:  I think the sky blue is much too dark.  In the store it seemed fine (Krylon rattle can).  Easily fixable.  The exposed slots (ugly!) are from the former location, and the backdrop was much taller then.  I shortened it up, leaving the gross slots exposed.  That's also easily fixable.  I plan to use hill "flats" similar to what's in the last pic from a screen grab of a fellow modeler's SP layout.  I believe it was in one of the Great MRR editions several years ago.  The hill flats will cover any exposed slots (4 of them) on the backdrop.











Once the sky blue is redone, I'll enlist the help of my wife (a skilled painter) in painting the backdrop.  For the LEDs, I will definitely need a much sturdier mounting surface than the foam board.  I was thinking of using strips of 1 by 2 to stick the LED strips onto.  I will still need something to trap/reflect the light back down to the layout.  Perhaps I can use the foam board for that, since it's doing that job pretty well at the moment.  I'll need to replace the foam board panels I'm currently using, since they got completely warped from being stored in the garage for the better part of a year.  It's amazing how much a backdrop and good lighting adds to the modeling experience.  It's like a diorama effect in a museum.  Not that this layout is museum quality...

It's time to get on with finishing up this phase!

ATSF_Ron

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Re: Module lighting and backdrop beginnings
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2024, 05:33:21 PM »
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I have to admit, I'm a bit ADHD with my layout projects.  I get bored doing any one thing for too often, so I switch activities a lot.  Finally got around to doing some airbrushing on the backdrop and adding in some scenicked flat sections.  I like the effect, however the sky portions I airbrushed to a lighter color are now mostly covered.  Time to redo some of the airbrushing a bit higher this time!  This section of the layout is supposed to look somewhat like the Tehachapi Mtns. area, minus the loop.  I have only a 20" depth.  The new section of my L shaped layout is just taking shape.  That will be more more reflective of the LA Basin area where I grew up.  The track plan is still in flux.  Hopefully I get some track down after playing around with a few ideas I have.

I've worked on this for about 3 years now without a name, so I'm going to call it the SP and Santa Fe, after my two favorite railroads.