I recall hearing that while the MTL Rio Grande mogul did not come with lighting installed, it could be retrofitted with a Marklin lighting unit (like their DB 2-6-0). Could someone who has this locomotive verify that this is indeed correct? Thanks, Ajay
No, It cannot be lit like that. The light housing is positioned too far for fiber optics to reach without looking real ugly. The easiest bet would be to purchase a 12-14v grain of rice lamp with insulated leads, and run them through the back of the lamp housing, and back through the forward cab window to wire up. An SMT LED and resistor, with Ngineering.com solderon solid wires might make an even cleaner install.
I have another idea though, you can pop off the red builders plate from the front of the smokebox, and pop off the high lamp, then drill a hole through it and glue it to the front of the smokebox. This photo shows how high the Bumble Bee lamp is. I just repainted my Bumble Bee for NP.
Thanks for the response, Robert. Is it possible to drill 375 or #80 size holes through the metal boiler and how would I go about doing the same? Thanks, A.
Those shells drill pretty easily. I think there is already a hold in the smokebox behind the red plate.
Yeah, I was also wondering about adding free standing handrails on my Mikado too. If those shells drill easily, that might work. Guess a pin vise would not work, though.
Wou really need a Dremel for tasks like that, but a pinvise and beeswax will work. Just make a dent where you want to drill with a large needle or pushpin thumbtack, then run your bit through some beeswax to keep it sharp, and drill away.
