Hi to all,
I am repainting/rebuilding/repowering some HO diesel locomotives that I own and also installing decoders into these. Probably a few year project as I have about 15 to 20 that I will be doing this to. This will be my first HO locomotive project as I am just starting out at this whole model railroad thing at middle age. I am sure there will be allot more questions on the forum to come. I would like to know what most folks are using for headlight lenses after setting up LED lighting for headlights forward/reverse and what seems to work the best for you guys? I guess what I am saying, what works best for transmitting the light out of the headlight hole in the body of the locomotive itself.
Thanks,
Brad
Brad
I have almost 200 Nscale and 100 HO scale engines. Almost all came with lenses in them. I kept the ones they came with. The clear plastic is hard to cut and polish like the origional. I quess you could use fiber optics with good results if you can get the correct size.
Bob
I use the existing Headlite lens. If no lens then I poke just the very tip of the LED thru the hole (gives very bright lite). I always replace factory LEDs with 5mm white. I dont like the looks of the amber lites you find on some loco’s. If you are talking about how to mount the LED so it projects out of the lens then it will depend on the loco. If I have a mounting surface under the lens like in the GP-9/7 I just tape the LED wires to this and bend it so it will line up with the lens. Some F units I just glue the LED up next to the lens. You can also buy generic lens that you can sand/file to fit but its allot of work. After re reading your post I am not sure I am answering your question if not keep trying someone will know. OK I’m done rambling.
Terry[8D]
Bob and Terry,
Thanks for your replies. I think you answered my question. I have been working with junky old Athearn Locos. On my disassembly of them I have been pulling the old plastic lens out and tossing them. I will purchase some new lens to replace these after they are painted and detailed. I also have some Bachmanns, Atlas, and P2K’s, these are not going to be re-lensed as they are good they way they are. I did not know if you guys were using something other then the original lens, but the answer is no. That works for me.
Thanks again,
Brad
Brad have a couple that had no lens so I just poke the very tip of the LED thru and it looks decent particularly when the light is on. Just paint/tape or put shrink tubing over the back part of the LED so light will not leak into the cab. Ideally if possible I use shrink tubing over the LED and the back of the lens to make it light tight.
Terry[8D]
Terry,
Another great tip. You’re the MAN!
Thanks,
Brad
I found new HO replacement plastic headlight & classification lenses made by Detail Associates. They make a scale 12" (.138 dia) & a scale 14" (.167 dia) plastic headlight lens, 12 per pack @ $1.25pk on Internet Trains. com. They also have classification light lenses scale 4.5" & scale 7" for 12 @ $1.25.
Brad