Yeah, the light pipes can be a PITA. I’m pretty darn happy with the GP30 now, but it took some fiddling. But this is actually a lot of fun to do and very satisfying. I really enjoy using the SMD LEDs, too, on other projects, but cost is a factor there since I don’t solder my own leads.
Of course, this is all easier if the number boards come set up for lighting. Give us the cosmetics, Athearn, they don’t even need to be lit IMO. Those who just wanna look can sit and stare. Those of us who like to actually work on things will figure the rest out on our own.
I replaced the bulbs in my P2K with warm white LEDs and really like the results. I built some light boxes in one of my Athearn SD40’s and used LED’s there as well. It keeps the light where it needs to be and not making the cab look like it has a sunlamp on full blast. I just got some SMD’s and plan on using them is tight places to see what can be done. It just takes a little more time to get these looking right (to me!).
IMAO, LED’s look out of place on a locomotive, good on cars, not trains
I prefer the traditional yellow beam headlight, LEDS may give the moel that extra “touch” but end up being too bright, a medium glow is beter than a super bright glow.
Athearn Genesis and RTR models still have the old yellow beams, Atlas, Bachmann, Broadwaylimited, Kato, Intermountain, and Walthers models have the newer white beams.
Depends…Steam had a yellow glow to white. Diesels have bright white lights based on FRA locomotive light rules that’s why you can look down the track in broad daylight and see a engine’s headlight a mile away on straight track…
Actually, the sunny-white or yeloglo LEDs look very realistic and prototypical with steam locomotives and early diesel and put out a nice focused beam. If brightness is the primary issue with LEDs, you could always add more resistance to reduce that, to a degree.
In every case that I’ve come across where people complain about the short life of the Athearn bulbs, the culprit is usually the track voltage is set too high. I’ve witnessed some reading well over 18 volts !
Track voltage should be between 13.8 and 14.2 volts (DCC). People running in this range have been running Athearn bulbs for years with no problems of them burning out.