Getting Real column - 16
to remain soft as created by the falling overspray. Using the
stencils in order, keep moving down the backdrop to smaller
and flatter clouds. Mistakes will happen and they can usually
be fixed with a little freehand work with the spray can. I use a
detachable handle on the spray cans. It makes them easier to
control, and the built-in trigger helps to relieve hand fatigue
(37).
I use sticky notes above the sections of the backdrop, to mark
locations on the layout, so that if I wanted more clouds over
the swamp and fewer clouds over Vivian, Louisiana, I could tell
where that should occur (38). I try to vary the cloud patterns as
I move across the backdrop so they do not all look the same. I
create bigger clouds in one section, smaller clouds in the next.
More clouds here, fewer clouds there.
Light the lower level
The next step was to provide lighting for the lower level of the
layout. I had thought repeatedly of how to do this. The main
layout room is lighted using incandescent fixtures which are
easy to dim, and to my mind provide a nice feeling of warm
bright sunlight. However, under the upper deck of the lay-
out there really isn’t a lot of room for incandescent fixtures,
the heat they generate would be a problem, and I have pretty
much used up the amps available on the breaker panel!
My good friend Al Carter came to the rescue, encouraging me
to try the new LED strip lights. The WarmWhite color, which is
available now, is a nice match for the incandescent light in the
room. The strips come in 16’ (5 m) lengths. The cost is approxi-
mately $8, or about 50¢ a foot. The LEDs are divided into groups
of three, and the strips can be cut apart at any of these junc-
tions. Power for the strips is 12 V DC (40).
MRH-Jan 2013
