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Not to add to the temptation for a headlamp, but with all those fluctuating magnetic fields, would a small induction loop pick up enough power to light an LED?
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't work. The loop would have to be well outside the influence of the magnets on the bottoms of the cars, as they would likely squelch any useful effect the field fluctuations from the track might create--and even then, I suspect it would be pretty feeble.
I would suggest a more "retro" solution... Remember those clear crystal "gems" they used to put in the headlight lenses of Arnold steam engines? You don't need something that makes light, just something that catches it and throws it back... You know, like Buck Rogers' Rocket Pistol...
And your engine driver looks exactly like the curmudgeonly type that holds children in great disdain, but loves being the captain of his ship, so he puts up with the noise and sticky seats...
It's just a part-time job to supplement his social security, but, he'd give anything for the opportunity to travel clockwise once in a while.
Oh, I used to volunteer at a 1:1 narrow-gauge railroad with a loop of track and one train that forever circled it counterclockwise. I think this sentiment is shared by anyone who served as an engineer there!
Shouldn't they turn the entire consist around and go the other way at some point to double the wheels' life from wear?
I think between the starry sky and the field of fireflies, an almost dreamlike environment could be created. But, we'll see; it's still early days, and I'm not totally sold on the idea yet.
So you've had about 10 hours or so to work on this sunset/starry night idea. Are you done yet ? Where's the pictures ?