Trying Out Layout Lighting

Howdy!  Since I am down to a single module, I am using it as a test bed. 

One of those test items is a photo set.  I hope to at least be decent at taking train photos without post editing.  I have always admired photographers who can take really great photos and those who can do great Photoshop work and editing.  I am personally not interested in doing the editing work, I am not a huge fan of that sort of computer work.  I do however enjoy taking photos and getting the right one.  With that, I am going to practice taking model photos using this module.

I have tried getting good photos using my DSLR, a Canon T3i.  However, I have only gotten passable shots (at least in my opinion).  While I have a lot to work on, I have realized that one of the items that could help out is layout lighting!  I have LED bulbs in the room light fixture which put out a great white light, versus the yellowish of some bulbs.  It does a really nice job, but it doesn't provide quite enough light.  So, I built a layout lighting system.

The best part: I spent nothing on it!  It is entirely made from material I had on hand, mostly scraps.  I used some of the old wall supports to hold 1x2s out over the layout, about 20" long.  Then I used some leftover caulk and secured some old foam sheet to the out boards.  This is all supported by more 1x2 that is screwed into the layout.  Then I secured some of the LED strip lighting from my passenger car project, wired it all up, = and BOOM!  Layout lighting!  I added a strip of fascia to keep it nice looking.

The support.

 

Lighting turned off.

 

Lighting turned on.

 

It doesn't look like much in these photos but in person it is a huge difference.  There are six strips of LED lighting glued to the foam.  Very simple and easy.  Which makes me happy! 

 

I plan on doing this to all future layouts.  Also, there will soon be a backdrop but that is for another day!

 

Prototype photo!

 

Here I caught a pair of the HTRA MK1500D locos out of their natural habitat, and in a prime shot location.  Too bad I was driving and didn't have the nice camera.  So I grabbed this shot with my cell phone after I slowed to a crawl.  And yes I checked for other traffic!  Tthe HTRA locos and a BNSF genset move light to the repair shop of Englewood yard.



Random Workings and Real Trains

Howdy again internet!

While the layout is dismantled and stored for the time being, I kept a module out for photo shoots and practicing different things.

Specifically, I kept the yard track module.  M reasons are simple.  It doesn't have any structures on it, so I am working on the scenery portion.  Scenery is the area I have the least experience in with layouts.  My previous layout endeavors only received minimal scenery, and it was all of the super cheap, super simple variety.  This layout has received new techniques, new products, new everything!

I am also working on adding in an overhead lighting system.  Once I get some fascia in and clean it up, I will post a how to.

In other news, my job has been secured for the immediate future.  Thankfully I have avoided the layoffs that are affecting so many in the oil and gas industry.  The best part of all of this?  I get to remain somewhat financially stable.  The second best part?  Trains.  Lots of them.  Seriously.  I spend most lunch hours cruising along the two biggest yards in Houston, possibly even this part of the state.  They are Englewood and Settegast Yards.  Englewood was once Southern Pacific and Settegast was Missouri Pacific.  Both are now absorbed by the UP...  However, they still provide the opportunity for some great finds.  I could almost do a daily post on the neat things I see out there.  Below are some of the better items!

A few weeks back we have a quintet of random 4 axle power roll through.  If I remember right, they were being sent from Canada to sell to short lines, or maybe Mexico.  I has been a while since they came through, sorry for the poor memory.

I watched this ridiculous load of something bundled get humped over one of the two hills in Englewood.  Thankfully none of the securing lines snapped!

Earlier this week, I was surprised by the Mopac heritage unit!  She was leading a through freight and I caught her while on a late lunch.  Perfect timing!  Also, UP needs to get her into a paint booth.  She is rusting out the battery boxes, the handrails are all beaten up, and that fuel tank is almost shameful. 

I caught this beauty on Friday.  She is a CSX SD40-2 but she was rebuilt with the strange cab that you see here.  It also includes an odd nose.  Still, a fun one to see in person!

Lastly, we have the catch of the month!  I could not believe my luck with this one.  Here is FEC 800.  She is in Texas trying to get to San Antonio to be converted to LNG at one of the loco facilities there.  This catch was entirely luck as I did not know this loco would be in town until I had already gotten to work, and then the yard was nice enough to leave her out with no trains in the way!  Truly a beautiful locomotive and a true joy to catch.

 

Anyways, that is all from me for now!