Fun project | O Gauge Forum (2024)

In addition to the scratch build projects I've been working on for the RFC train garden, I recently had a chance to do a simple kit bash of the beautiful scratch built model of the RFC train garden building, which was formerly the Rescue Fire Company's station house, to add holiday decorations similar to those displayed over the years on the prototype:

The train garden head guy had already sourced several feet of tiny LED multi-color light chains, with lights spaced every half inch or so (two feet in O gauge), from MTH (available as a replacement part for their light-decorated box car), so all I had to do was hook up a buck converter and set it to less than 3 VDC output, add a 22 ohm current limiting resistor, and carefully hot glue the LED chain in place:

I think it will look even better at night (or in the relatively dim light back on the train garden), but even in daylight the lights add a festive touch to what was already a fine model, and I still have a few more upgrade ideas to explore.

That's an outstanding model in it's first rite...adding the lights is a terrific enhancement for the garden. Don't forget the "You Are Here" signage.

I look forward to seeing a full suite of pics come November/December.

The building is very nice. You have skills that I wish I had.

Dave

Fun projectAug 12, 2024 23:55:52 GMTvia mobile

Fun projectAug 13, 2024 0:57:21 GMTvia mobile

Thanks to all for the kind words, but just to be clear, the building *itself* was built years ago by a truly skilled craftsman -- my only contribution to it so far was the addition of holiday lights! I'm currently working on an animated model of the nearby Cambridge Creek bridge, and earlier did my first scratch build of the former train station (also nearby), but in this instance my contribution was much more limited . . .

Yep, definitely better at night:

Also, the head guy liked the lights, but thinks *more* lights, especially up on the steeple (as in some earlier years -- see below), would be better, and I've also fabricated a flashing and color-changing LED light box behind the bay door windows to simulate the light from the holiday train garden display -- pics of the results later!

. . . and here's the fully decorated version, with lights on the steeple and flashing and color changing LEDs behind the bay door windows: