Well, had to give it a try! What a major modification this turned out to be, but I managed to make operating ditchlights on one of my new N Atlas 8-40BW's I originally set out to install an extra plastic light tube from a Kato dash 9 or SD90MAC I had lying around, however this resulted in very dim lights (I marred the tube with tweezers while trying to fit them). Any defects, gouges, scratches or marring on those tubes DRASTICALLY reduces their output. After that less-than-desirable outcome, I fabricated my own tubes out of fiber optic material. This rendered unbelievably bright headlights and ditchlights! I also replaced the ditchlight housings with ones from Sunrise, mostly because the Atlas ones were too small to try to drill-out and run fiber optics through. I fabricated the "eyebrow" brackets with some styrene. This project was harder than it really needed to be, mostly because of the extensive frame milling and shell carving I did when trying to install the Kato light tubes. This attempt resulted in some (repairable) damage to the forward steps . If I set-out with the fiber optics from the start, it would have been easier (although frame milling would still be needed to reduce sharp bends in the fiber optics). Russ [ 14. November 2002, 03:51: Message edited by: tehachapifan ]
Excellent! I'm still trying to figure out how to get them high mounted.(hopefully soon) Yours look awsome though!
The only way I have seen this done was to route the fiber optics up through the decking on the front porch. I have only seen it in a picture and it didn't look too noticable. The conversion was done by Craig Martyn. If he is reading, maybe he can comment on the install. I thought of another idea but I don't know if it would be feasible in nscale. What about building an porch mounted ditch light sort of like a periscope with two tiny pieces of mirror configured to reflect the light straight up & out? On second thought, I don't think this would be possible and still be scale.
Tehachapi fan, that is some great work there! i really like it Mike, your idea is a good one, very creative. Even though i think it might be a little difficult in N scale.
VERY NICE! How about a picture (or pictures) showing how you routed the fiber. I'd really like to be able to let these beauties lead.....
One way, although it would reduce the light transmission, is to run the fiber vertically through the deck, cut it at a 45 degree angle, and add a finish piece also cut at 45 degrees to make the light level. You can expect to lose approximately 1/2 of your light.
Russ, Great addition to an otherwise well detailed unit. Super work! Thanks for sharing the details and photo. Harold
I just finished my four units. The conversion is far easier than when I did the SD60s. The conversion also gets rid of that nasty greenish hued light pipe... I've written a brief how-to article with photos and have posted it to my website (see below).
Your installation technique appears very clean! Great job, Jim! I was inspired to do an SD60M based on your site some time ago....it's neat that you have taken the time to post these how-to articles. Russ
Russ, Atlas made it easy. I really like the way they did the lighting, except for the greenish light pipe - which is why I replaced it with fiber and treated the LED. Their new coupler mounting method is a lot simpler and less clunky also. They do deserve credit for a great model.
