Ditch lights...

[DrewHiller]

I am looking to add ditch lights to a model that doesn't already have the *fake* ditch lights on it such as the Athearn Dash 9's or AC4400's. A locomotive such as a GP40-2 just like in the image below. How do you go about doing this? i mean you really only have one chance to drill the holes.

[WC3026]

I was thinking the same thing Drew but mine dont have the nose light just the one on the cab. It does have the same markings like yours but i think it is a different loco mine is a D&RGW SD60

[DrewHiller]

You are correct it is indeed a different locomotive the one in the picture above is a GP40-2. Hopefully someone can help us out.

[ThoroughBreed]

First thing is I would suggest updating the pilots with modern anticlimbers to give the area needed to support the lights as those are a modern item.
heres a search page from walthers with the details west ditch lights with pics:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?...&Submit=Search

I would use the 235-361, if you could find them maybe at a local hobby shop or check other online vendors.

Details west has the following listed in their catalog:
DL-228 DITCH LIGHTS W/LENSES (PILOT-TOP MOUNT0 "EMD" 2 EA. $2.95

If you wanted to, you could make it easy on yourself and put the ditch lights as pilot mount under the anticlimber, like the ge version. I have used these and after drilling the holes just a little larger, they will accept a grain of rice bulb, approx 1.8mm. This will alow you to run the wiring thru the pilot behind the ditch lights.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/235-229

[WC3026]

TB I hate to sound bad But what the heck do you mean by "anitclimber"?

[ThoroughBreed]

The anticlimber is an safety implement on the front of the pilot that keeps the coupler of another car/loco from going up into the cab; its what the handrails are attached to;
pic from google search:
http://www.silicon212.org/images/f59ph.jpg
hope this helps, not thinking too straight this early.....

[kbkchooch]

Drew
1st, find prototype photos depicting the ditch lights, that way you can select the proper style and mounting.
As far as powering them, I prefer to use the sunny while LED's from Ulrich Hobbies. These are surface mount LED's with wire leads already attached, very small , super bright and very little if any heat. (an issue with incandescent lamps)
Just make sure you use the right dropping resistors, or you will have itty bitty flashbulbs

[CbarM]

WOW! That looks prettygood, what size of LED's did you use there?

[kbkchooch]

Originally Posted by CbarM

WOW! That looks prettygood, what size of LED's did you use there?

Look here!!

http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/...nt-LEDs/Detail

[CbarM]

Did you use the lens's they supply or the ones with the short fiber optic at all or just the LED itself?