I recently aquired a BNSF Dash 8-40BW in HO scale. Everything on the model was picture perfect, say one thing - no ditch lights. It seems only the DCC equipped versions have working ditch lights, as my model only has the lenses in place, as well as the housings just under the anticlimber.
I run DC and only DC, but I was wondering what bulbs, (preferably LEDs) would fit/work in my model? I was wondering if I could just connect the ditch lights directly to the headlights, as the headlights are already constant-intensisty.
BTW, what voltage are the bulbs on a HO scale Dash 8-40BW? I'm thinking it might be 12 volts, but since the bulbs are LEDs, it may only be 1.5v. I dont wanna blow out my ditch lights depending on what bulb i use.
Some of the small surface mount LEDs should fit - you cna get them with wire already attached, be be warned thay are rather delicate and don;t take rough handling - the LED itself can take it, but the wire is very thin and fragile, and a real pain to solder back on if you break one off. However, the LEDs are small enough to fit just about anywher,e even marker lights on a caboose.
Another alternative is fiber optics into the lenses themselves, and use larger LEDs or bulbs inside the shell lighting the fibers. On a regular 3mm LED you cna drill partway into the top, just stayt short of the hair-like wire you cna see holding it up tot he light, or the LED will be ruined. Stick the end of the fiber int eh hole, and cover it all with heat shrink tape so the light doesn't leak out and make it look liek the cab is on fire. That way you cna snake the fiber into palce and not have to worry too much about breakign off little lead wires or anything.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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