LEDJ fixtures board Train of Lights
- Details
The Train of Lights was in fact a fully-functioning steam train, filled and decorated with different types of lighting, including the Spectra exterior fixtures from LEDJ, supplied through PL1 Events.
After creating and designing the Christmas lighting at Saltram Enchanted Gardens in 2017, Plymouth-based PL1 Events was chosen to decorate the Christmas train. Not only did the company illuminate a moving train, but it also designed the lighting for the stations and along the rail track for the journey, which commenced at Churston and finished almost seven miles away in Dartmouth, before making the return journey.
With many different types of lighting utilised throughout, the LEDJ Spectra Par series played a key role - 160 Spectra pars and floods were rigged to the underside of the steam trains 10 carriages which were all DMX controlled via QLab.
With 18 x 3W tri-colour LEDs (RGB) and a 40° beam angle the LEDJ Spectra Floods are suitable for feature lighting, providing colour wash effects to the outside of buildings, signage, façades and many other exterior applications. Simple daisy chain connection of power and DMX means that installation time and cost is reduced, explains PL1 Events.
The Spectra Par 15Q8 features 15 x 8W quad-colour LEDs, delivering a smooth wash of colour, ranging from intense, rich saturated hues through to pastel shades. The silent running, convection cooled heavy-duty alloy enclosure features IP65 rated connectors for both DMX and mains input/output.
Mark Buckingham, PL1 Events managing director and Train of Lights lighting designer comments: “This was a massive undertaking for the PL1 Events Team as they illuminated the entire route from Churston Station right though to Dartmouth and back. As well as lighting the stations, the beautiful forests and breath-taking scenery in a blaze of Christmas themed light, there was also a host of magical illuminated surprises within the forest along the route. All-in-all we used well over a thousand lightbulbs and miles of cable.”
The illuminated journey started at Queen’s Park Station, Paignton, with the steam train’s vintage carriages decorated with thousands of lights. The next stop was Churston Station, where the light show began with a 450-metre technicolour Greenway tunnel.
This led onto an enchanted forest which was transformed by a multitude of lights and featured displays. The show ended as you left the forest with to see twinkling lights reflected on the river Dart.
(Jim Evans)
