Adding lighting and interior scenes structures on the N scale State Line Route layout is the focus of this episode.
First, Eric White makes interiors for Gerry Leone’s and Seth Puffer’s structures using images he found on Google. Then, he adds realistic lighting inside the structures by installing LED lights from Woodland Scenics’ Just Plug Lighting System. Meanwhile, David is prepping the layout for the lighted structures by drilling holes for the wiring. Next, he demonstrates how to use the components of the Woodland Scenics Just Plug Lighting System to power the structures. Lastly, David shows how to install working streetlights on the layout.
Enjoying this coverage of our State Line Route project effort and how we’re adding lighting and interior scenes to structures? Watch additional episodes exclusively on Trains.com streaming platform!
The State Line Route in N scale is a mid-sized stand-alone model railroad inspired by the legendary HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, a large-room layout built more than 20 years ago by Model Railroader staff and their friends. The series began on Trains.com in July 2021 and covers the construction process from initial overview and planning to building benchwork, scenery, and more.
Very helpful video as I plan to add lighting on my N scale layout in the near future. I’m intrigued by the simplicity of the Just Plug system but those “warm white” LEDs still seem awfully cool to me. I’d rather go with a LED that’s the right hue out of the box than modifying everything.
Has anyone else used Woodland Scenics warm white LEDs? Do they still tend to be a bit cool?
Enamel is often the coating on very thin “magnet wire” so most pain thinners will remove it. If the coating is some kind of ‘plastic’ you might try lightly wrapping a small piece of fairly fine grit sandpaper around the wire and gently pulling the wire through.
Great video as always. Can I make a recommendation on your sound recording? I really really think you should just stick to recording in mono. When you use these stereo mics, it can be very disorienting to hear a voice coming from the left channel and the right channel. If you must record with stereo microphones, then just collapse the dialogue tracks to mono. That way both voices will come out of the middle rather than two separate voices on a left channel and a right channel.
I have 17 HO street lights so far and need a lot more. The Magnet wire is very delicate and difficult to get enough stripped off to use the plugs that come with the HO lights. which are different from the N gauge plugs.
Being under my layout is a bit difficult without using a cushion as I am 70 now with bad back stenosis
Any suggestions to make the connection
would be appreciated.
tHANKS
Tom Pica
Thank you for the curved photo idea. I have failed at several attempts to get reasonable interiors for N scale buildings. This one looks reasonably simple, and has a great appearance. Although you indicated it might not be the best for foreground interiors, I think it will work for almost all N Scale buildings. The offset styrene for the window display photos was a marvelous idea too. All around great job and another Thank You!
Your timing of this episode is perfect, I’m starting to light my streetscape and building interiors with the same woodland scenics lighting system. Thanks to both of you guys for the tips.
Nice video. I have enjoyed the Just Plug system (I am “electrical impaired”). Eric, Thanks for the idea of curving the interiors! I hadn’t tried that yet.
Video stopped several times. Video started clean and clear but the turned blurry when Eric went to the workbench.