RIP...Lil Guy bites the big one.

[tstage]

Randy,

That's great! Don't you also have to replace the headlight when you install the decoder? (oop...question answered in 13 of 14.)

On the topic of headlights. Randy, have you ever tried replacing the weak incondescent bulbs in the P2K S1 for brighter LED's? Is that possbile? How much of a headache would you think that would be to replace them? The one issue that comes to mind is: Do the indondescent bulbs look more prototypical? Thanks!

Tom

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

Uh Randy, ....uh you wouldn't...u... you know...like ....want to do ....uh...a Bachman...uh...4-8-4... uh Photo Essay. Uh, I'll supply the 4-8-4 .

Well I DO have to do a Bachmann Plus 2-8-0, which should be the same but smaller. As soon as my father in law gets around to deciding which locos he wants me to convert first. Don;t expect it anytime soon. But I'm certainly willing to give it a go, I'm pretty handy when it comes to mechanical and electrical things, it's the scenery that I hate... [:)]

--Randy

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

Randy,

That's great! Don't you also have to replace the headlight when you install the decoder? (oop...question answered in 13 of 14.)

On the topic of headlights. Randy, have you ever tried replacing the weak incondescent bulbs in the P2K S1 for brighter LED's? Is that possbile? How much of a headache would you think that would be to replace them? The one issue that comes to mind is: Do the indondescent bulbs look more prototypical? Thanks!

Tom

As you saw, no, not with the decoder I used. That's the same one I used in my GP-7's so I didn't have to change the bulbs. It's really not the best choice for the S1, it's too big, hence the frame filing. A TCS M1 would have been a MUCH better choice, but then you would have to change the bulbs, or use a resistor.
LEDs would not be hard to add, you just have to add a resistor. 1K is save for pretty much any normal LED. Those bright white LEDs don;t look right, too bluish. They're fine for modern locos. The "Golden White" ones look like old style incandescents. Somewhere buried on Loy's Toys web site is a picture showing a line up of locos with regular bulbs, bright white, golden white, and sunny white LEDs so you can compare.

--Randy

[mcouvillion]

Chip,

Sorry to see Lil Guy in pieces. If you don't think you are yet up to the task of trying to fix him, ask the guys at the layout you run on who would be most likely to help. You could get someone with the experience you need to find a clever way to fix it and get him running "good as new" in short order. Sometimes it pays to not get in too big a hurry to fix something. Often, the right answer takes a little time to come to you.

I looked at your picture of the damage and I bet I could fix it pretty quick. Could you use a small bolt with a locking (fiber) nut in the cab? I would be very reluctant to expand the width of the hole to re-thread it, but it may be easier to drill all the way through and just mount it with a bolt (and sleeve to take up the slack between the bolt and truck).

When you build up your junk box, also keep a junk screw box. You would be amazed at the funky screws you run across over time. Strip all the useable hardware off anything you get ready to throw away (old radios, CD players, etc.). You will build up a sizeable collection in no time.

Mark C.

[fiatfan]

After following the recent saga of Lil Guy I went down to the train room and dug out the box of old stuff. Here is what I found:



If you want to contact me off line, I will mail it to you.

Tom

[SpaceMouse]

That's right nice of you.

[Anonymous]

Aww, that is awesome![^]