Rope lighting

02/10/2007 Rope lighting
When I first constructed my hidden area ("Schattenbahnhof") in 2002 I went to the home improvement store to look for the most compact and slim fluorescent light to install in the hidden areas. I did not like what I found - there was nothing really nice and compact. Then I noticed the white rope lights often used at Christmas time for decorating and I realized I had found the ideal solution. They are also often really cheap after December 25.

They are compact, flexible, do not get too hot and can be chained together. They are easily fastened onto things using zip ties.

I try to place them above and in front of the trains so that the light falls on the trains and tracks

I have them all connected up to a single power strip allowing me to easily switch them all on when I need to do something below ground.

Note when installing rope lights make sure they are 'in air' and not thermally insulated - they need to dissipate the small amount of heat they do produce.