Several months ago, I started setting up my HO scale Wheeling Freight Terminal layout for an operating session. That’s when I found a problem in the main yard. There wasn’t enough light.
It was difficult to read reporting marks on the freight car fleet. The lighting was adequate in other parts of the room but the yard sat under the area that was finished around the HVAC duct work. If I could not read the freight car data, then visiting crew members would also have a problem. I had to add some lighting before hosting an operating session.
Before I moved from Tennessee, I had installed Burrina LED lights in the garage. It made a huge difference in that space and they were easy to install. I bought a six-pack of 5000 Kelvin Burrina lights through Amazon. I like the brighter tone of light and all my models had been painted and weathered under the same 5000 Kelvin lighting.
These low profile T8 fixtures are four feet long and mount easily onto metal clips that come with the package.
As these were installed on falsework around the ducts, I had to figure out how to center the lighting over the yard section. I installed 1×4 planks across the span and mounted the metal clips to the wood.
By the way, the images posted here with these LEDs on have been manipulated so the lighting doesn’t wash out the image.
Here’s a view with room lighting. The LED lights needed to extend in front of the duct work. They were also shorter than the length across the duct work. Using the wood strips made it easier to install the Burrina lights.
I had bought a large sheet of 0.020-inch thick styrene sheet and used that material for the light valences. I cut a couple of pieces six inches wide by fifty inches long and attached them to the wood using wood screws and washers.
These lights are daisy-chained into one circuit. Three types of connectors come with the lights. One version enables a tight, end-to-end fit. Another connector works for nineteen-inch separation between lighting units and the last one enables a 46-inch separation. I used the long connector for my application and used the extra board length to keep the wires close to the ceiling.
The new lights made a big impact. I can see the lettering on weathered cars close to the layout edge.
Freight cars on center tracks are also visible.
The cars on the track above a closer to the layout edge than the hoppers in the previous photo. I probably mounted the lights too close to the layout edge. They should be a couple more inches away from that plane. A slightly different location would reduce the shadows on the freight cars.
I’m pretty happy with these new lights. They will work fine for the amount of time this layout will be operating. Eventually, the Wheeling Freight Terminal will be replaced with a new project where I’ll apply the lighting in a better location.
These new lights have also made me realize something else about my space. The rest of the current layout now looks dark. Not too dark where I can’t read car data, just darker than the yard. Another aspect to keep in mind for the next layout.
The RPM Calendar has been updated with several 2025 events. I’ll be presenting on team tracks and team yards at a couple upcoming RPM meets. I’ll be at the Mid Atlantic RPM in early September and at RPM Naperville/Chicagoland in October. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Also on the calendar is an upcoming presentation on the August 24th NMRAx virtual event. My presentation on Back Dating Plastic Freight Car Models starts at 11:00 am Eastern time. This will be live on the NMRA YouTube channel. It will be recorded and available through the Videos link on that site about a week after the event.
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Not too long ago, I decided to use Burrina lighting in my layout space. I chose the 20W, 6500K with diffusers. They look a lot like traditional fluorescent lights. I mounted them on the overhanging storage shelves around the walls and directly to the ceiling elsewhere. They daisy chain with various standardized cables and plug into the pre existing centralized ceiling mounted light fixtures so are controlled by wall mounted light switches. I chose positions to eliminate all shadows especially in the corners and when standing next to the layout. I haven’t used any valances though I might go for that later. I can now see everything and no longer need extra lights for close work like track work or scenery. All the equipment is well light from front to back. These things are great. Just don’t stare at them. LOL
Thanks for your comment, Stephen! I’ll bet you were blown away the first time you hit the ON switch after installing several of these lights. I know I was. I like the valence on my application as the ceiling level is low in that area. When the next project gets rolling, I’ll probably install a valence again but might use hardboard instead of the styrene. And yeah, the layout’s so bright I’m gonna need shades (to lift a concept from an Austin rock band from ages ago). – Eric H.
It’s worth getting a cell phone light meter app (the one on my iPhone is called, “Light Meter” 🙂 ), and using that to measure both illumination and lighting color.
Thanks for the tip, David! I never thought of a light meter app for the phone. – Eric H.
Eric, also using the same Barina 4’ tubes except in the 4k variety. My old 5k florescent tubes were dying and decided to
try the warmer 4K. Liked these as, to my vision, offered a more natural color temp versus the cooler 5k.