Lighting Effects on the WR&N IV

I have a particular fondness for lighting effects that just edges out over animation. One of my tenets for lighting is to illuminate everything on a layout that is lit in real life. And, if the lighting is dynamic, such as changing stoplights, then I simulate that as well, whenever possible. Admittedly, my interest in lighting effects borders on obsession at times, but then we all have our quirks, right?

Some of the lighting challenges I faced required the very smallest bulbs and LEDs available. Cir-Kit Concepts sells axial-lead microbulbs that are nearly half the size of typical microbulbs and can be sandwiched into very slender structures such as double-sided signs. From Digi-Key Corporation I obtain leadless LEDs that are literally not much bigger than fleas. Although they can illuminate impossibly small objects, they do require considerable dexterity and care to handle and wire.

Lights are best appreciated at night, and rather than simply turn off the overheads, I prefer day-night lighting systems. Usually the things that got the most attention from visitors were the dynamic effects. Most, but not all, of the effects created for the WR&N IV are covered here:

Many of the lighting effects also included animated items, so there is considerable overlap with the clinics on animation.

*See these models in action!

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