The Atlantic and Southern Build Thread Continued, Part 2

[ACL1504]

The LEDs come in 16 ft. lengths. I cut them in the middle and used two strings of 8 ft..

I cut a 1.25" wide 8' length of Masonite. I used Weldwood Contact Cement and spread it on the smooth side of the Masonite.





While the contact cement was still tacky, I pealed the paper off the back of the LEDs and pressed the strips onto the Masonite.

Sorry, forgot to take a photo of this but you'll be able to see what I did later in the thread.

More in a few.

[ACL1504]

I let the contact cement and LED strips sit for a few hours. I pulled the buss wires through the crass braces.

Later, I screwed the Masonite strips to the under side of the cross braces and centered.



I soldered the LED wires in series and used heat shrink tubing over the solder joints.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

The next two photos show the oil facility and lubritorium areas without the LEDs on.





Diet Pepsi time. Back in a few.

[ACL1504]

The next two photos show the same area with the LEDs on.





More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Here is a look at the south area with LEDs on.





More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Here's a view of the LEDs under the third level.




More in a few. Need a break for the Babe.

[ACL1504]

I'll be adding the third level deck over this area in the next few days.



The plywood hanging over the edge will be trimmed. This will make it the same distance from the Ovalix as the second level.



When the fascia is added it will be 1/2" below the bottom edge of the 1X3 and will give a better view block from the LEDs.

More in a few.

[ACL1504]

The previous photos included the overhead lights. Here is how the second level looks with the LEDs and without the overhead lights.





I appreciate all those following and lurking.

Tom

[tct855]

ACL 1504,
    Love the great work you've been doing on your 2nd & 3rd level decks.  I just finished my 2nd level deck and are taking a break as well.  KP-out...

[cuse]

Welcome to the shadow Box!  The controlled viewing and lighting makes your great modeling even better. I know when the lights went on it was a revelation for me.

[jrmueller]

WOW!

[jerryrbeach]

Tom,

The LED lighting is stunning!  Yet again you have again caused me to rethink how I go about my modeling.  I now wish I had used a shadowbox approach to building my modules so I could light my layout with LED's as you did.   

Your photos look great.  The corner where the bench work meets the ovalix seems like it could use a little more light.  The contrast between the lighted area and that darker corner seems too abrupt to me.

I do have a question.  I have been wondering for some time if you have thought about adding a backdrop to the ovalix behind the lubritorium?  You could use a convex mirror showing the inside of the ovalix to allow the operator to see the trains while they are negotiating it. 

[PRR Modeler]

Great looking lighting for the second level.

[jimmillho]

Those LEDs look great.

Jim

[tct855]

Like Jim says, Leds look great my friend... Thanx Thom...