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Post by rockymountaineer on Nov 18, 2024 4:21:11 GMT
Hi folks,
Over on my AEC "teaser" thread, I mentioned that I used a high-intensity flashlight to activate the "glow effect" on Lionel's latest Atomic Energy Commission GP9 locomotive that just arrived. The full boxed train set with additional glow-in-the-dark rolling stock and locomotive are due to ship in early December.
So that got me thinking... if I replace 8 high-hat lights in my train room with BR30 black lights, will that be enough to activate the AEC train's glow-in-the-dark features on a full-time basis -- thus eliminating the need to shine a high-intensity light on the train? I have 30+ Philips light heads in the room on other circuits for different light effects and room lighting. So these 8 high-hats are on their own circuit and could be operated independently for the AEC train as well as other nighttime simulations.
Does this sound feasible? I'll ask Lionel what they think too... but I thought I'd toss this out to the forum as well.
Thanks in advance!!!
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Post by bobthetrainguy on Nov 18, 2024 12:40:08 GMT
It depends on the blacklight. The fluorescent tube style ones work best.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Nov 19, 2024 0:58:36 GMT
So Dave, your idea is to replace your regular light bulbs with black light bulbs in your ceiling lights? I hope you don't have high ceilings!
On a short term basis why not try a blacklight flashlight or other hand held black light to charge the glow in the dark feature of this set?
No expert; just asking.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Nov 19, 2024 2:49:38 GMT
So Dave, your idea is to replace your regular light bulbs with black light bulbs in your ceiling lights? I hope you don't have high ceilings! On a short term basis why not try a blacklight flashlight or other hand held black light to charge the glow in the dark feature of this set? No expert; just asking. Just thinking out-loud. The 8 high-hats currently are Philips HUE bulbs that can be programmed for any color... as can the other 30 or so track lights in the room. All Philips HUE (LED) bulbs. Because of that, I'll likely leave them as is... and go the route of a blacklight flashlight. Good minds think alike. Amazon has quite a number of options.
Another idea I've been knocking around is to have a small blacklight source inside one of the layout's tunnels. And each time the train exits the tunnel, the glow-in-the-dark feature would be charged. Again... just thinking out-loud.
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Nov 19, 2024 4:10:40 GMT
Another idea I've been knocking around is to have a small blacklight source inside one of the layout's tunnels. And each time the train exits the tunnel, the glow-in-the-dark feature would be charged. Again... just thinking out-loud.
Just to be clear: this is not some sort of a day-glo effect, which would require a constant source of UV light to 'glow in the dark', but rather a phosphorescent-type paint that will glow in the dark for a period of time after charging in ordinary light? If so, then I think your tunnel idea has a lot of merit. If you use UV lights, the "recharging" will not be too obvious (unless you've used day-glo paint in your tunnels!), but should boost the glowing effect after even a short exposure. Dunno your configuration, but if you have room to put 2- or 4-foot blacklight tubes in your tunnel (even double up!), I think the train should emerge glowing to beat the band!
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Post by redjimmy1955 on Nov 19, 2024 22:23:16 GMT
I think Steve is correct about using ordinary light...sunlight or incandescent to "charge up" the glow factor.
Had at least one toy that needed "light recharging" to get a glow. That said, I would love to collect a few radium glass pieces.
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Post by gpritch on Nov 19, 2024 22:45:10 GMT
Another idea I've been knocking around is to have a small blacklight source inside one of the layout's tunnels. And each time the train exits the tunnel, the glow-in-the-dark feature would be charged. Again... just thinking out-loud.
Just to be clear: this is not some sort of a day-glo effect, which would require a constant source of UV light to 'glow in the dark', but rather a phosphorescent-type paint that will glow in the dark for a period of time after charging in ordinary light? If so, then I think your tunnel idea has a lot of merit. If you use UV lights, the "recharging" will not be too obvious (unless you've used day-glo paint in your tunnels!), but should boost the glowing effect after even a short exposure. Dunno your configuration, but if you have room to put 2- or 4-foot blacklight tubes in your tunnel (even double up!), I think the train should emerge glowing to beat the band! I too think the tunnel option is a winner. Its an easy install. Give it a try.
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