Lil' Stinky Gets Lit, and, "Buddy, Can You Spare a Bell?"

[M. Mitchell Marmel]

Papa_D

Nice work! What's the history behind Lil' Stinky? Really enjoy reading about projects like this.

Here's the original posting! 

http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/205803.aspx

Thanks!  :D

Mitch

[M. Mitchell Marmel]

ChiefEagles

neat job on the light.

Thankee!  :) 

Mitch

[Papa_D]

Nice work! What's the history behind Lil' Stinky? Really enjoy reading about projects like this.

[ChiefEagles]

neat job on the light.

[M. Mitchell Marmel]

I decided to install a working headlight on "Lil' Stinky", my trolleycar steam locomotive:

Putting a working bulb (Suydam brass interurban headlight, same as I used on the Red Rocket II)  on one of these things is actually pretty painless.  Just drill a 1/16" hole in the back of the lamp, and use a stiff pin to push the lens out (it's a push fit).  I took a cue from prototype outfits who converted oil lamps to electric and, rather than running the wires inside the shell, used stanchions to mount 'em on the outside:

Here's Lil' Stinky in action (with a temporary bumper.  The light's wired to the motor terminals for the moment, so, since Stinky has a manual reverser, the light only goes on when the motor's running):

In other news, does anybody have a spare Lionel 8240-15 bell or reasonable facsimile?  Stinky's broke off, Jeff at Train Tender doesn't have any in stock, and everyone else wants $7.50 to ship a $1.00 part...

Thanks!

-MMM-