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Athearn BB passenger car windows

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  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Monday, April 26, 2021 9:18 PM

BRVRR

Mel,

A question. Do you have a source for the lamps you used. I could find a use for a bunch of them.

Thanks.

 

I made them.





I have about 25¢ tied up in parts for one complete table lamp.

The first couple drove my crazy, after four or five they got easy.  I drive them off 4 volts, my standard lighting voltage in my passenger cars.  I tried ⅛ watt resistors but they are too big so I ended up with 270Ω 1206 SMT resistors, remember I’m using 4 volts.

I put a 20 turn 5KΩ wire trimpot in every car to make the final brightness adjustment.



If you need more info send me your email in a PM.
 

Mel


 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Elyria, OH
  • 2,586 posts
Posted by BRVRR on Monday, April 26, 2021 8:28 PM

Mel,

Great job on the heavyweight passenger car(s).

I tinted the windows in my Santa Fe streamlined consist (all Athearn BB kits) with Testor's Transparent Candy Emerald Green paint. I gave me the green cast that the Santa Fe tinted windows. It doesn't seem to preclude viewing the passengers

Here is a photo of one of the dome cars: Sadly I have peopled just the domes in the dome cars though I tinted the windows in the whole consist.

A question. Do you have a source for the lamps you used. I could find a use for a bunch of them.

Thanks.

Tags: BRVRR , Santa Fe

Remember its your railroad

Allan

  Track to the BRVRR Website:  http://www.brvrr.com/

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Monday, April 26, 2021 6:57 PM

The table lamps work great with no refraction problems.

 

Mel



 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 239 posts
Posted by TheFlyingScotsman on Monday, April 26, 2021 6:50 PM

Whilst I am gully of a splurge I also like to see how far i can  get a $30 car to a $500 brass version. I did a couple od Walthers heavyweights with good results framed within my skills.

Also just completed a Walthers Creek series observation getting it towards a Railway Classics I used to have and I am surprised by the results. In a good way.

  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 239 posts
Posted by TheFlyingScotsman on Monday, April 26, 2021 6:26 PM

i understand exactly what you mean. i just did a walthers baggage lounge and in the bar area the figures are not super apparent even lit.

Those lamps are great!

As is the whole scene.

Detailing passenger cars has been a feature of my COVID year and a welcome distraction.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AnxrJNiESp0KgegPNaOKAG9xOOPyhA?e=bnnH2l

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Monday, April 26, 2021 6:05 PM

I’m working on a couple of Athearn Kitbashes and I’m not using tinted windows.  My thing right now is interiors with figures and want the passengers to be seen easily from the outside of the car.

This is what I’m working with.

Previous kitbashed diner to lounge.







 

Mel



 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 239 posts
Posted by TheFlyingScotsman on Monday, April 26, 2021 5:33 PM

I understand your reluctance to use paint but I have had sucess using Tamiya PS-44 to simulate a green tint it might work but I had some junk cars to practice on so........

Also you may well not be modelling something with tinted windows.

Just a thought.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Monday, April 26, 2021 5:17 PM

I tried the clear tape and it didn’t help, don’t want to screw up the windows with paint.

Thanks for your input


Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951



My Model Railroad    
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 239 posts
Posted by TheFlyingScotsman on Monday, April 26, 2021 4:33 PM

My first thought was black tape or something like that on the top and bottom of the sprue but you've done that so my only other suggestion is to try some clear tape on the inside in an attempt to alter the refractive index of the whole unit and try a gloss one and a matt one.

In commercial construction we sometimes use water applied films to alter the properties of glazing systems for one reason or another, although in my experience not for this specifically.

Other than that I'm scratching my head too.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Athearn BB passenger car windows
Posted by RR_Mel on Monday, April 26, 2021 11:17 AM

Athearn BB passenger car windows

Since I cutover to LED lighting I’ve had problems with the windows having light refraction above and below the windows.  Does any one have a suggestion on how to cure the problem.

I’ve tried many fixes and none work 100%.  I painted the top “window sprue” black and tried masking tape, those work for the top refraction.  I tried redirecting the light to keep it from hitting the windows and that works but the loss of light from the passengers is disturbing.

Not using the Athearn windows and using .02” clear Styrene works great but looks wrong not fitting the window frame on the car body.
 

Mel



 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

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