James River Branch: Streetlights

Streetlights

I was all set to scratchbuild streetlights for Naughtright when Märklin introduced their (relatively) new line of Z scale lights. These exquisitely-crafted models are available in a variety of useful styles—I'd already installed a pair of the gooseneck lamps on the passenger station platform. However, it seemed as though there wasn't a generic, "Anytown USA" sort of streetlight available; their gas lanterns were too old/ornate (although I did get a few for the cemetery and/or the mini-park), and the rest were too modern for my needs.

However, upon closer examination of Märklin #601225 (the center light in the photo at top right), I decided to get one and see if it could be adapted for an American layout. Sure enough, the lampshade was easily bent to face straight down, which produced just the look I'd wanted for the town, and saving me the trouble of scratchbuilding a dozen lights. The only hurdle left to face was cost: these lights do not come cheap. So I treated it like an investment: I ordered one or two at a time, and over the course of a couple of years I had accumulated what I needed.

Installing the lights was a breeze for the most part: just drill a #52 hole through the sidewalk and the base under it, and stick it in the hole. Except... these lamps have bases, whereas real telephone poles do not. To compensate, I drilled a "countersink" hole with a #41 bit, just deep enough for the base to sit flush with the surrounding sidewalk; then I painted the base with sidewalk-colored paint. It's not a perfect, invisible solution, but it's not an eyesore by any means; figures and other details placed nearby should sufficiently detract from the telltale ring around the base of the pole.

Märklin's streetlights come in a variety of useful styles.

A hole is drilled in the sidewalk to accept the light.

A countersink hole is drilled to allow the base to sit flush with the sidewalk.

The base is painted concrete color and the light is permanently installed.