The layout room is really starting to take shape. The walls are all finished and painted in a sky blue color, and I'm currently installing the suspended ceiling. My first choice in lighting was to install track lighting, but with the first sections of lighting track installed, I decided to try out the lighting fixtures. I recycled the fixtures from our former house when we updated the track lights. I soon discovered that the fixtures were designed to hold spot light lamps instead of flood lights, and they created the harsh lighting conditions that you can see in the photo. My next step is to try flood lamps and see if that helps the situation. If that doesn't work I may just rip out the track lighting system all together and go with florescent fixtures. I never realized how important lighting is in the layout room. I just naturally assumed that focused light would highlight the trains and model scenes. Perhaps for photography purposes, that might be the case, but under normal conditions, I might have to rethink that one.
This is another view of the space with the Southport Yard section of the layout covered in plastic. (I need to quit using it as a catch-all for tools and stuff) I do like the 2 x 2 ceiling grid and the sand finish that I've chosen. It makes for a nice finish without looking cheap. I'm hopeful that I can soon get the benchwork positioned against the wall and start working on finishing this portion of the railroad instead of finishing the room. Painting the raw concrete floor is next on the agenda.
Please comment on the lighting aspect. I could really use some help there.
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteBeing the old Yankee that I am, I would try working with what you have before making too much of a change. First, in the past year there have been some amazing changes in lighting, especially with LEDs. I would thoroughly explore those options with not only the color, but power reduction and dispersion techniques. One of my son-in-laws is reworking his house lighting and it is surprising how things have changed.
Second, in looking at your photos you have the spots trained directly on the walls. How about experimenting by pointing them up and bouncing the light off the ceiling? or, place a diffusion panel to bounce the light off like photographers do, or even put the diffusion panel between the light source and the target area. If your present source is too hot, that is where an LED source may help. Anyway, just some ideas to mull over.
I saved all my old incandescent system for use on the new railroad mainly due to the control part, but after seeing what my son-in-law has done, I may have to rethink my situation. The reduction in heat generated and power consumption is most tempting.
Looking good! Keep it going!
Ben