Need help w/ a Mikado

[irocinblue89]

Group, I just recently purchased a HO scale U.P. Mikado and noticed there was no rear light on the tender. I have searched on yahoo for pics of real Mikado's and can't come up with a good pic. I can't believe there was no rear light. Is this correct? If it's not can I purchase (does someone sell one) a housing and lens for these? Thanks in advance.

Seann

[IowaFarmBoy]

I googled using the the keywords Railroad Tender Backup Light and got a lot of results. Here's one image.

[irocinblue89]

Originally Posted by IowaFarmBoy

I googled using the the keywords Railroad Tender Backup Light and got a lot of results. Here's one image.

I can't find any of Mikado's though. I found a bunch of others. I figure if I'm going to do it I should make it prototypical. Thanks though!

[flyboy2610]

A lower end locomotive will probably not have a rear light. There is extra wiring (read cost) involved with getting power from the lighting circuit back to the tender. It shouldn't be too hard to wire it up, though.

[irocinblue89]

Originally Posted by flyboy2610

A lower end locomotive will probably not have a rear light. There is extra wiring (read cost) involved with getting power from the lighting circuit back to the tender. It shouldn't be too hard to wire it up, though.

I agree except I wouldn't consider this a low end model. It's a MTH. Cost me just over $200. Is there a housing and lens that you know of Flyboy? I will put a separate decoder in if I have to. I really do not understand why MTH didn't put 1 on.

[Espeefan]

Some UP mikes didn't have tender backup lights. I'd suggest you check out prototype photos and pick the loco you want to model if you're going for prototype accuracy. Remember that steamers changed appearance with each and every shopping as appliances were updated or removed.

[bnsf971]

I have several Mikados, and none of the USRA Mikes I have include headlights on the tenders. And they are all higher end products.

[irocinblue89]

Thanks guys. I feel a little better about it then. I was looking at brass models and most of them do not have the light. I will have to look and see what era they received them and go from there. I really do appreciate the responses.

Seann

[PaulB]

These three preserved UP 2-8-2'a have tender lights.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/sho...spx?id=2906738

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/sho...spx?id=2587835

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/sho...spx?id=2070274


Presumably, 2-mikados used for switching and shortlines would have rear lights fitted. Possibly the preserved enignes last roll was switching, so they might have acquired tender headlights in that role but not have had them in mainline roles? Just guessing though. You'd best check with the relevent histrocial societies and consult the literature.

Paul