Ditchlight housings

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I would like to add functioning ditchlights to a few CSX and FEC locos(Geeps and SD40-2’s). I am looking for some ditchlight housings that are not cosmetic as I have seen a few which have jewels installed. Any ideas where I can find some housings that will allow for bulbs/wiring? Any part numbers will be greatly appreciated.

2

There was an article in one of the recent MR’s about adding functioning ditchlights to an HO GP60. I don’t remember who made the housings but the install was pretty straight forward. It was either the Feb or March issue I believe.

3

Details West has them. See the Walthers catalog. www.walthers.com

4

What about for an N scale GP60?

5

As mentioned by Jay, Details West. They have both kinds: The ones that sit atop the walkway and the ones that are on the underside of it.

Tom

6

Ditchlight housings on models can be done rather easily.

Find a round 3 mm LED. CAREFULLY file it to be square. Round off the corners of the tip (where you see the light) to have a slight convex appearance. paint the squared sides black/silver/green/pink/white/purple or whatever color you want, leaving the tips of the LED unpainted. Use your favorite glue to attach to the end of the platform, above the plow, etc. Leave the wire leads exposed, and call it conduit.

7

I just ripped apart an old modem and couldn’t believe how small the LEDs inside were. They’d work great for N scale ditch lights. I had no idea they made them this small. (about 1 mm cubed)
http://www.smtled.com/

Some of those you could just paint the housing black and mount them right on the loco.

8

Here’s the page

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Part&scale=H&manu=&item=&keywords=ditch+lights&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Searc h

9

Thanks. I need to figure out which are cosmetic and which can be made to be functional…not to mention which are prototypical. Thanks for the replies and links.