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Light build Locos and rolling stock
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New member 10 posts Hos New member 10 posts
Hos

Hello! Turns out I really enjoy my rekindled train hobby. I've embarked on a project to light up all the trains I have. Interior car, headlights, fire box, locomotive cab, etc. 

 

I've started with my Polar express set. Reason being is I got an amazing deal on the full set of 3, plus the 2 I already had. Problem is the led boards inside allow light to shine upwards and through the roof. Looked like junk at night. 

 

So, I took all the cars apart, added tin foil (amazing as a light blocking shield) to the tops, adding light pipes with opposing 3500k leds, bridge rectifiers (because the lights are non dcc controlled), leds on the observation end, rear light on the last car, and I'll bridge the current to each car with 30ga wires so each car powers the whole line. 

 

This will probably take a while as I'm still waiting on parts, but Im really liking this. I might add black accents to things like door handles etc. We will see. Got my micro paint brush set and I'm anxious to try it and my magnifier out. 
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Hos New member 10 posts
Hos

Once dried, I'll tinfoil the

Once dried, I'll tinfoil the top of the led to stop the abarrant light from escaping. 7_142347.jpg 7_142411.jpg 7_142418.jpg 
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Hos New member 10 posts
Hos

Here's the top on. Wiring

Here's the top on. Wiring this up 7_190838.jpg on Tuesday. 
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Yaron Bandell ybandell Prolific poster 1,552 posts
Yaron Bandell ybandell

Tin foil: look out

Dear Hos (name?),

Nice work there. Be careful with tin foil around LED due to it's ability to short the LED. Your better bet is to use some black liquid electrical "tape" applied with a small brush, toothpick or q-tip etc. In a pinch a few layers of a black permanent marker somewhat works. So does black nail polish.

-Yaron.
Susquehanna Bridge Build | My Personal Website | Capitol Free-mo
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Hos New member 10 posts
Hos

Hello there. I encapsulate

Hello there. I encapsulate micro leds in silicone. The add another layer for the tinfoil hats. 
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Jim at BSME Prolific poster 2,100 posts
Jim at BSME

Picture posting hints

When posting the picture inline, you should set the width to 750, keeps the entire image inside the forum viewport so one can see it without having to view it another tab.

 
- Jim B.
Baltimore Society of Model Engineers, Estd. 1932
O & HO Scale model railroading
Check out BSME on: Facebook, Instagram
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Hos New member 10 posts
Hos

Lol. They are bright. But not

Lol. They are bright. But not more than a new bulb on the real coaches.

 

 

I have the Lionel HO Polar express. I have 5 cars. Two I bought separately and a whole coach set I scored for $30! I changed all the couplers to nice kadee knuckles and painted the exterior flooring in a wood finish (burnt umber, raw umber, and a dark brown oil paint). With a fouch 1/16 inch brush it makes lines that actually look like planks. 

 

Currently. I'm experimenting with the light pipe. A full 6 inch pipe with opposing leds leads about 3 inches in the middle unlit. So I cut the pipe and added 2 additional leds in the middle. I'm not getting the smooth light I want, but I might just have to experiment with painting etc. 

 

I'm open to suggestions!!! 
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Hos New member 10 posts
Hos

OK got the bridge rectifiers

OK got the bridge rectifiers in and some wiring done. Need to do the light pipes for all the coaches and a few other things. 1_173246.jpg 1_173319.jpg 
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Hos New member 10 posts
Hos

Well, this project and all my

Well, this project and all my other lighting projects are on hold awaiting parts. I'll update when they come in and I get on it. 
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