I just got back into the hobby, out for about 25 or 30 years. It is really different. I now have a Bachman Pacific, DCC Sound. WOW, never had that years ago. But I think they need to add one thing. I like to run at night with little light except for the lights on the layout. If they had a dim LED in the fire box, it would add realism. I retired from the UP, and was around 844 and 3985, and at night could always see the glow of the fire box. Does anyone make such a model?
to the MR forums.
.
A few manufacturers makle steam locomotives with glowing fireboxes. I know that one even m,aes one where "steam" comes out of the whistle when you sound it off.
My steamers have none of this.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
IIRC, Broadway Limited (BLI) have/had glowing fire boxes on some of their steamers. While a nifty feature, I'm more interested in road-specific detailing for my railroad (NYC) and excellent motor control. Nothing irks me more than a diesel or steamer that starts pulling at 5sMPH.
There are a couple of manufacturer's that make small lighting modules that replicate the fire box flicker you're interested in. You could always install one of those yourself - i.e. if your handy.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I'm sure my Bachmann/Spectrum 4-8-2 (from c.2004) has a red firebox 'glow', I think all of my Spectrum engines do too. It may be the 'standard line' Bachmann engines don't have it I guess, I haven't seen their new USRA engines in person yet.
wjstix I think all of my Spectrum engines do too. It may be the 'standard line' Bachmann engines don't have it
My Bachmann/Spectrum Baldwin 2-8-0 does not have a glowing firebox.
wjstixI'm sure my Bachmann/Spectrum 4-8-2 (from c.2004) has a red firebox 'glow', I think all of my Spectrum engines do too...
I have Bachmann's USRA Light Mountain, which had a glowing firebox, but I'm not a fan of lights or sound, so it was removed. None of my other Spectrum locos have that feature (2-8-0s, 4-6-0s, 2-6-6-2), and all of them have had their lights and circuit boards removed in favour of more weight.
tstage...I'm more interested in road-specific detailing for my railroad (NYC)....
Tom, here's my now-fireless Bachmann 4-8-2...
...and while it's lettered for my freelanced home road, I tried to give it a little NYC flavour in a nod to that road, which ran through my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. No water scoop on the tender, though.
In addition, on the EG&E, it's known as a Mohawk, in reference to a large population of them at a reservation nearby, and ties in with this...
Wayne
Since most of us run our trains in the "daytime", and since steam locos didn't run with any lights during the day (so I've read), any lighting in a steam loco is unnecessary. I do wonder whether you'd see a firebox glow during the day, either.
That said.
I think I'd prefer the OPTION of steam loco lighting, for those "special" nights.
I think I'll start a topic on the matter.
Ed
My Bachmann Spectrum Heavy 4-8-2s have the fireblox "glow". Except for the one that came with factory DCC and sound......
Jeff White
Alma, IL
LGB (Lehmann Gross Bahn) made steamers with glowing fireboxes.
Loosecaboose
Could I ask what you mean by the glow of the firebox?
I have never seen a live steam locomotive and I wondered if you can see fire box glow in the cab? Or through the ashpans? Does the ground/track below the 3985 glow?
What areas of the 3985 where illuminated at night?
I have some tiny LED lights that I was going to use to do just what you are asking but wasn't sure what the firebox glow illuminated.
Thomas
And welcome to the forum!
Sorry folks, I've not been able to be on here for a while. What I'm talking about is both in the cab and underneath. Especially when they have the firebox open fire lights up the cab unless its a bright day. When moving quite often the fire is visable under the cab which you can see even in bright sunlight. Years ago the was a video of 3985 taken before it was converted to oil burning, and every time they opened the door to spread the ash, it really put on quite a show.