Over the years, I’ve learned that museum displays and exhibition layouts rely on backdrop lighting to set mood and atmosphere. I wanted to change lighting effects for the n scale dystopia – glowing with Twilight or the chaos of futuristic lights.

I purchased a very inexpensive set of RF controlled LED lights. A 4-ft length of these lights cost $10. I built a very shallow retaining wall out of extruded foam and foam core, offsetting the wall by the light strip’s width.

The wall was weathered with sparse graffiti and foliage to create an imposing man-made barrier at the edge of a city. The lighting was attached to the retaining wall, and the wiring was fed through the backdrop.

I’m pleased with the overall effect as the glowing horizon adds depth to a narrow scene, and the variety of colours create different environments.