Athearn RTR Dash 9 - adding ditch lights

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

All-

I’d like to drill out the fake ditch lights on this model and add new lights. I’d like to use the same type of1.5v bulbs that come with the model. Can anyone tell me where to get replacement 1.5v lights that are similar to the ones that come with the model?

Thanks,

2

Miniatronics makes perfect light bulbs for what you need.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/475-1800110
I’ve used these to replace burned out light bulbs in my Genesis SD75M, and couldn’t be happier with them.[:D]

3

They’re also available directly from Miniatronics and most hobby shops, I’m sure somebody has them in stock.

4

Have you considered LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs? Richmond has surface mount white LEDs with wires already soldered onto them. An incandescent bulb could get hot enough to melt the surrounding plastic. The LEDs in question are sold by Litchfield Station and Ulrich Hobbies, among others.

5

*** I just re-read your response - I didn’t know they made surface mounted LEDs - I guess they’d be an option if they were the exact size as the Athearn bulbs but then I’d want to replace all Athearn bulbs for consistant color.

Would a 1.5v Miniatronics bulb really melt the plastic (I have seen pictures on the net)? Since the 1.5v are already mounted in the Athearn, wouldn’t the headlights have already melted a portion of the plastic around it?

6

Surface mount LED’s are a lot smaller than the bulbs that Athearn, and others, use.

In the picture, to the left is a regular 3mm LED, in the middle is a surface mount LED (without leads), and to the right a micro bulb from Athearn. If you do choose to go with the surface mount LED’s, you’ll need to use “lenses” to fill the headlight holes and light them up from behind with the LED.

7

Thanks for the great pic…I think for retrofitting the dummy boxes the micro bulb is the way to go

8

Has anyone tried the Details West DL-360 or DL-361 parts ? They describe them as:

DL-360 DITCH LIGHTS PRE-DRILLED WITH 3.0 VOLT BULBS

DL-361 DITCH LIGHTS PRE-DRILLED WITH PLATFORMS AND 3.0 VOLT BULBS

They are a bit pricey. Walthers nor the Details West website have any pictures.