Just browsing around and came across this: http://www.discoverlivesteam.com/forsale/1_mars/index.htm
Very neat! Check the video of the second one, and compare to a DCC decoder’s Mars Light effect - not too bad!
–Randy
Neat product. I can think of better ways to spend $300 though.
[#ditto] on that.
What’s the point of this type of light anyway? To cause eyes to go crazy?
If you’ll note it’s for live steam, it’s about 6 inches high. That’s a litlle large for HO.
I’d be truly amazed if someone managed to build the motion hardware in HO.
The point of the Mars light was to draw attention to the oncoming train. On another site it mentioned the selling pointof the Mars light was the figure-8 pattern which illuminated grade crossings that were above, at, and even below grade. The standard locomotive headlight just projected a beam straight out in front of the loco.
–Randy
It should be noted that the light for sale is a Gyra light, not a MARS light. Gyra lights spun in a circular pattern while MARS lights spun a figure-8. Gyra’s were used by some railroads up until the late 80’s when they were replaced in favor of ditch lights.
No, that’s DEFINITELY a Mars light, the video of the single one is face on and you can see the light moving in a figure 8, not circular, pattern.
–Randy
Randy & Johnathon: They have BOTH a Gyralite and a Mars light for sale…
Right, which is why I said to look at the video of the second one, which is the Mars light. The first one is a Gyralight. [:D]
–Randy
Well Randy if you are still contemplating changing to N scale - you could fit the engine inside this light eh? [;)]
Or I could go to Z scale and fit a whole LAYOUT inside one.
Ship in a bottle! 