I model freelance 1940-1960alleganey road “Cumberland and Ohio” accordingly take apart locos repaint and when install Dcc use led’s. What could I use with the LED so light would emit as a headlight and ilumminate the number boards : is it acetate, fiberglass (hard to find clear sheets or rods or is there some other material? Extracting original from a shell often ruins them.Small ligts east with fiber optic strand with a little heat at the edd to make a "bulb’ but where can I get larger diameter (1/8;3/8;14/ clear strands or rods? What abuot square clear rods? What about sheets to cut to size?
JDAY
“Lucite rod” is a clear acrylic plastic that transmits light. I googled the term and got lots of matches, although none that I looked at are specifically for model railroading. I have marker/class lights from the '50s made from this stuff, although there’s no manufacturer’s name on them and I also have a couple of Lucite rods, probably 1/2" in diameter and 3" or 4" long. Plexiglass is basically the same stuff, and you may be able to get scraps of it from a shop that specialises in cutting it.
Wayne
Circuitron now offers .060" fiber optic, which is a good size for diesel headlights.
IIRC Plastruct sells various size of clear Acrylic rods, and various colors.They are listed in the Walthers catalog, as well as many other places.
Paul
Dayton and Mad River RR