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After several years of procrastinating, I finally hooked up the lights in several of my buildings and accessories.  I was really excited to see the effect the lights would have in the darkened room.  When I flipped the switch to turn on the lights, I was disappointed, to say the least.  Three very obvious problems revealed themselves; 1 The lights cause the buildings to glow as the light bleeds through the plastic, 2 The interiors are now fully visible revealing every brace, screw and wire in the building, 3 The flood light tower activates the IR sensor for my crossing gates causing the gates to be down and the lights flashing when no trains are in sight.(Actually, since I model the Penn Central, this feature is very prototypical.)

 

As far as the first problem goes, what are my options.  Do I need to paint the interiors black to block the light?  The second problem has an obvious solution-build interiors for the buildings.  The flood light tower is on a seperate switch so I can just leave it off.  Repositioning the IR unit is out of the question as the track is at the edge of the layout and it can't be placed on the other side.  Can the bulbs be replaced with LEDs or will they cause similar problems?  I'm open for any suggestions.

 

Thanks,

 

Tom

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I sympathize; been there, done that.

Light bleeds through light colored plastics badly.

The easiest thing to do is spray paint the insides of the walls some dark color like flat black or dark gray. If the windows are removable, so much the better. otherwise mask them over. If there is no clear plastic "glass" you are good.

With some buildings you get light showing through the wall and roof joints.

Black electrical tape run along the inside of the offending joints works well.

If the buildings have no interior details either keep the interior light level very low, or use a translucent window material. this works.

 

Rod

 

I had an old post war Lionel basic type of caboose, which I illuminated.

"Surprise, Surprise!;"  As, Gomer Pyle used to says.

The whole cab. lit up like a ball of fire.

I had to take the cab. off of its' frame and paint the interior of the cab. matte black, then, the cab. looked right.

Ralph

Last edited by RJL
Hi Tom,
I agree with Tex Special. You have visited my layout and maybe noticed that the lights in my buildings are quite dim.
I use the crummy old incandescent Christmas bulbs and hook them up in series to reduce the voltage. Each one should get around 3-4 volts so if you have 16 volts going into them, hook 4 of them up in series, daisy chain if you will, and you should end up with a nice warm peaceful glow.
If you have ever flown at night, think how dim house lights really are from the air...our O scale vantage point.
TJ

Paper windowshades and frosted glass can solve some of the problem of undesireable interior views.  At some point you'll want at least a suggestion of an interior, even if it's just cardstock walls.  Nothing ruins the illusion like seeing straight through a structure that should have interior walls.


(Actually, since I model the Penn Central, this feature is very prototypical.)

 
This is the funniest thing I read all week! I also have used the aluminum tape for heat duct work. Easier then taking everything out & apart & spray painting. Think of taping some tissue paper over the inside of the windows to obscure vision until you have a chance to detail the interior. It looks like closed sheer curtains.

 

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