Lighting for Platforms and Roads

[port perran]

I'm thinking of adding station platform lighting (probably gas lamp style) and street lighting to my layout.
Having had a look around various websites, there are plenty of choices but electricity and me don't really mix !!
I've no idea where to start !!

I can see LEDs/12volts/grain of wheat etc etc but what's best and what do I need to wire it all up and switch it all on ??
This is a long term project so no rush at all but it would be nice to have street lighting and probably longer term, buildings lit up.  Any help or a pointer to a website that describes the wiring methods in very simple and easy to understand terms would be much appreciated.

[Jerry Howlett]

Hi,
I recently purchased some street lights from this company
http://www.google.it/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=kytes%20lights&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CBwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kyteslights.com%2F&ei=t5I7UJO_GIv4sga0sYGQAg&usg=AFQjCNHpaVMWBtYfvRMrPkZyRWsdoRThRQ

They are Kytes Lights if the link and I am sure it wont (doesn't work). I recieved a personal email with my order offering assistance with wiring problems.

I bought a set of cheap platform lights and a posh pair of street lights (my era is 50s / 60s) check out his site.

Jerry

[Newportnobby]

Also, check out the knowledge bank under 'L'

[EtchedPixels]

LED lights don't get hot, last far far longer and don't eat anything like as much power.

There aren't really many reasons to use grain of wheat any more - some people prefer the colour feel but that's about it.

[Caz]

I get all my lights from Everest Model in China, double street lights are only 7.99 for 10 with free shipping, they do all sorts of configurations, see :-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310296281776?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[Jack]

Hi,
I recently purchased some street lights from this company
http://www.google.it/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=kytes%20lights&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CBwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kyteslights.com%2F&ei=t5I7UJO_GIv4sga0sYGQAg&usg=AFQjCNHpaVMWBtYfvRMrPkZyRWsdoRThRQ

They are Kytes Lights if the link and I am sure it wont (doesn't work). I recieved a personal email with my order offering assistance with wiring problems.

I bought a set of cheap platform lights and a posh pair of street lights (my era is 50s / 60s) check out his site.

Jerry

Kytes Lights are good. I have a customer (I clean his windows) that even has Kytes lights running along open main lines on his layout (rule No1 - his layout). From what he tells me the lights are almost "plug & play". He loves them.

[swisstony]

I get all my lights from Everest Model in China, double street lights are only 7.99 for 10 with free shipping, they do all sorts of configurations, see :-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310296281776?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

That's where I get all my trees from 


And I reckon where Kyte gets his lights from too lol!!

[Pengi]

This are the lights I am interested in:

Kytes lights £14.99 for 6

http://www.kyteslights.com/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=119

but Layouts for you have them at £8 for six (but doesn't mention the diffusers)

http://www.layouts4u.net/nlampposts.html

and from eBay (Everest) £7.99 for 10 inc postage

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T93-10pcs-Model-Trains-Lamppost-LED-lamp-HO-N-35mm-12v-/310296285083?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item483f198f9b

Are they all the same thing? 

[Donkey]

The 3rd link is showing scale 1:220 Pengy. Links 1 and 2 do look the same.

Marty

[Donkey]

But as you say http://www.layouts4u.net/nlampposts.html does not mention diffuser.

Marty

[Pengi]

Sorry, the third link should have been:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T92-10pcs-Model-Trains-Lamppost-LED-lamp-HO-N-45mm-12v-/160546526732?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item256151960c

(the advert to the Z scale ones actually said HO/N in the title!)

I'm pretty sure Joe Kyte does get some of his stuff from China (e.g. the people) but I never really thought about the lights, I'm pretty sure he makes some of them himself - and he is very helpful.

[Caz]

If you look at most of Kyte's street lights they are identical to the Everest ones, I reckon he just repackages and puts a bit on for his trouble.  I've bought about 80 different lights from Everest in 3 shipments, they all arrived in about 7 days, very good service and they keep you informed about your order.  Everest's yard lamps  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310298566034?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 come in packs of 5 for 7.99, if you remove the slightly over scale ladders fixed to them, they make excellent N gauge yard lamps (I've also removed the base and just drilled a hole and fixed them direct to the baseboard).  I have them in my goods yard/warehouse area and around the MPD and they look great.   

[Donkey]

Sorry, the third link should have been:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T92-10pcs-Model-Trains-Lamppost-LED-lamp-HO-N-45mm-12v-/160546526732?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item256151960c

(the advert to the Z scale ones actually said HO/N in the title!)

I'm pretty sure Joe Kyte does get some of his stuff from China (e.g. the people) but I never really thought about the lights, I'm pretty sure he makes some of them himself - and he is very helpful.

Yes they do look the same but just no mention of the diffuser. Could you contact them to find out?

Marty

[Pengi]

I bought a set of the ultra-slim lamp post from Kytes lights and a set from everestmodel from China. They are not the same lights - the Kytes lights have a much sturdier lamp-post and seem of higher quality. Have not yet compared the quality of the lamp output.