metzbahner
Registered
There is one lineside item that adds significant realism to LGB layouts that I have overlooked before...the large yard lamp masts, telegraph poles, and catenary masts if running electric.
What I really need is a slew of LGB large yard lamps, but these things cost a pretty penny. Piko had put out a great yard mast, however on Reynaulds.com they no longer have it and it says "this item is discontinued" which is wierd because the Yard lamp was a great value at $16. So I just got to go out and scoop up all the old stock Piko and used LGB masts I can.
The reason these items really help a layout is the tracks need a "comrade" to help build a visual context and the pole or mast certainly contributes to this. you will never see real-life railway tracks without poles or masts trailing off the side all the way down the line. Also, the smaller details of your locos and rolling stock will be highlighted with model lighting. I work indoors, and no matter how much normal artificial light I have in the house, its the up-close model lighting on the railway that is essential in order to bring out the rivet details of my rolling stock.
A cost-saving technique is to put a small goose-neck lamp on your catenary mast or telegraph pole to light the right-of-way instead of more $$ and more space for an additional yard lamp.
I model Germany so its essential I purchase a European-style mast, and that means more $$$ but it will be worth it when I have them in place.
Tom M.
What I really need is a slew of LGB large yard lamps, but these things cost a pretty penny. Piko had put out a great yard mast, however on Reynaulds.com they no longer have it and it says "this item is discontinued" which is wierd because the Yard lamp was a great value at $16. So I just got to go out and scoop up all the old stock Piko and used LGB masts I can.
The reason these items really help a layout is the tracks need a "comrade" to help build a visual context and the pole or mast certainly contributes to this. you will never see real-life railway tracks without poles or masts trailing off the side all the way down the line. Also, the smaller details of your locos and rolling stock will be highlighted with model lighting. I work indoors, and no matter how much normal artificial light I have in the house, its the up-close model lighting on the railway that is essential in order to bring out the rivet details of my rolling stock.
A cost-saving technique is to put a small goose-neck lamp on your catenary mast or telegraph pole to light the right-of-way instead of more $$ and more space for an additional yard lamp.
I model Germany so its essential I purchase a European-style mast, and that means more $$$ but it will be worth it when I have them in place.
Tom M.
