I just detailed an Athrearn SP EMD SD -40 locomotive and an EMD GP-9 locomotive…I bought the mars and the pyle detail headlight kits from Details West and installed them on the locomotives…I also ordered a set of Red jewels to fit in the red light sockets for both engines and was just wondering if anyone still uses the jewels when they detail their locomotive…I got the kind with the foil backing…i’m not going to light the red lights but did light the headlights with fiber optic strands connected to white light LED’s…Chuck
Hi Chuck, Yes I use the clear lens from M.V. Products LS19 & LS18 mainly , these represent a 8" & 7" headlamp respectively. I operate with DCC and I find that with extended use ,the lit headlamps can get very warm when used in pairs as in a Switcher , so I put a bulb in one lamp and an M.V. Lens in the other. It helps with heat problems and stops plastic bodies melting. CPPedler
Chuck,
I use the MV lenses all the time. I usually fabricate a bulb holder from styrene tube inside the shell (particularly on Athearns) then use MV lenses with a hole scraped off on the back to allow the light to pass through. On ditchlights or unilluminated lights they go in as is.
Dan
MV lenses are not jewels. Jewel lenses are faceted like a diamond. MV lenses are clear plastic with silvered backing. There is quite a difference and the two should not be confused.
I’ve personally only used colored jewels in steam engine and caboose marker lights.
Bob Boudreau
My mistake.
Chuck, the answer would be no then. I don’t use jewels, but I do use MV lenses.
Dan
I would rather have a light…erm…light up…
not a jewel guy… 
I use them but only as replacements for original jewels that are missing.
underworld
[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
Jewels, of course, were used in the hobby for decades to represent both headlights and marker lights. Although they have generally fallen out of favor, to be replaced by clear, silvered and colored MV lenses over the last 15 years, I still have some engines with jewel markers and even one with a jewel headlight. The jewels tend to catch the room lighting and sparkle or glow quite effectively, as if illuminated, under the right conditions.
CNJ831
yep…ya’ll are right…got the “jewels” in the mail yesterday and they are way too small for headlights…guess i’ll have to place another order for MV lenses…anybody want to buy a set of 12 red jewels?..Chuck
well…just got off the phone with Papa Ben’s train store and as always, he came through for me…got two red MV lenses coming in the mail and on there way…if ya’ll are ever in the Houston area you need to check this guy out…what a store!..take 59 north (or south) to the kirby exit, turn south on kirby and go down about a block to South st…take a left and he’s on the left about 1/2 block down…chuck