250 Bucks and no Ditch Lights???

[CPPedler]

Am I expecting too much to think that for a loco ( SD40-2) that costs $250 it should at least have ditch lights or did Broadway Limited just forget them or think that no one would notice???
CPPedler. [V][V][:(]

[TurboOne]

CPPedler how are you doing ? I am still learning about all these new trains, been out of training for about 25 years, but since I started buying on Ebay, I believe anything now a days. So much has changed. Prices are through the roof, but the trains do more. Sound, extra lights, DCC, WOW, so where I would think $250 is crazy, now it is becoming common. Which model are you looking at ? Maybe a group could write to BLI and ask why they forget the ditch lights.

Tim

[rrinker]

So exactly what era is BLI modeling? When the SD40-2 was introduced by EMD, ditch lights weren't common, and at least in the US, not required.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Yeah, like Randy said, sD40-2's didn't come out from the factory with ditch lights, so ones that were added later would be correct to the prototype. I agree, the more lights and functions it has the better it is, but people modelling the 70's probably wouldn't think they were so great.

I share your pain,
Greg

[BRAKIE]

Yeah,my Chessie(B&O) SD40-2s doesn't need ditch lights as they was unheard of in the 70s.Modeling the 80s? no ditch lights even the early 90s locomotives didn't have ditch lights...

[mustanggt]

Speaking of Broadway's SD40s, whats with the green pilots on the BN model?

[Anonymous]

Unless it was stated specifically by the manufacturer I would not expect ditch lights. And, I found no mention of it here: http://www.broadway-limited.com/products/sd4000.htm Operating ditch lights from the manufacturer are [AFAIK] a relativley new thing and would be listed specifiaclly as a feature on that particular model.
Also, when you consider that they were not found on the prototype as delivered I would suspect that there would be as many people expressing opinions to the contrary had ditch lights been included in that model.

[AntonioFP45]

The SD40-2s were introduced in 1972. Ditch lights did not become mandatory on American locomotives until 1997. So that's a long time gap without ditch lights.

Back then, many locomotives had "Gyra Lights", which turned in a circular pattern. There was a big debate regarding Gyra-Lights vs. Ditch lights that involved the FRA and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers back in the 90s. In the end, the ditch light requirment won. Maintenance-wise, ditch lights are cheaper than Gyra-lights since there are no moving parts.

On the BLI unit, basically you are paying the extra bucks for the sound system.

Mustang, -- regarding the green on the BN unit's pilot.

In most cases a model manufacturer obtains official paint scheme plans from railroads and/or historical societies. A railroad may have "officially" decided on a paint scheme that's was put on paper, then at the last minute a manager or official makes a minor change (color, stripe, etc). The change is passed on to the units being painted by the shop crews, but the original plans remain the same and wind up being archived and of course years later the plans are presented to a model manufacturer. It's not like this everytime, but it does happen.

However, it's up to the model manufacturer to check for accuracy. This is where knowledgeable historians can be consulted to spot potential discrepancies and fix them before production begins.

IMHO, another factor that manufacturers probably consider is costs. It is considerably cheaper to minimize the amount of paint masking for a model line.

Wouldn't be a bad idea to ask Broadway Limited about this.

[CPPedler]

O.K. Guys,I bow to the greater masses on this one but I wonder how easy it would be to fit ditch lights and to get them to switch on and off independantly without having to interfere with the decoder too much.??? CPPedler.

[trolleyboy]

It's likely not hard to put the lights on but to illuminate them that would likely depend on how the cicit board and decoder are set up.Maybe a call to BLI cust, service is required and they could coach you through the process. Also in defence of CP in Canada the ditch light was a much earlier add on to out of the factory locos were talking the 1980'sthe same can be said for the wide saftey cabs CN was installing them on new SD40-2's in the seventies as they were rolling out of the assembly plant. It would be nice if BLI would expand their dies to accomadate more specific sub types as CP and CN were two of the larger owners of the sd-40 and SD40-2 just my 2 cents. TB

[Anonymous]

IF BLI left some open functions for you whic is doubtful, it is reasonably easy to install the lights as far as wiring goes. However, I don't know about actually attaching them. I would like to convert my Kato SD40-2 to one with ditch lights, but don't know how to attach them to it.

Good Luck,
Greg

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CPPedler

Am I expecting too much to think that for a loco ( SD40-2) that costs $250 should at least have ditch lights or did Broadway Limited just forget them or think that no one would notice???
CPPedler. [V][V][:(]

BLI probably made the model like prototype was when they were new, since the ditch lights were added only a few years ago. If the Union Pacific have silver trucks, they are back dated. Many model the seveties and eighties, and the ditch lights were not used except on Canadian and Union Pacific units that were setup for interchange with Canada. I recall the UP had ten units or so that had ditch lights for this purpose almost from the time they were new. They are listed in the Union Pacific books, but other railroads did not use them until they were mandated later. I would prefer the units without them like the new SD45T2's from Athearn. They are listed as early models.

[Anonymous]

in my opinion the BLI SD40-2 is a $50 with $200 sound. Not that im badmouthing it, but there are more detailed models out there. Like mentioned above. It might not be on the prototype. If it bothers you that much ditch lights are an easy install.

[CPPedler]

Hi trainwreck100, I don't think fitting the actual lights would be a problem as Details West do some nice ones in white metal, its just the wiring that could be awkward they might have to be wired into the headlight but then of course they could not be switched on/off seperately . It would just have been nice if Broadway had given the option. I will have to wait until I get mine and read the paper work. Thank you anyhow . CPPedler.

[Anonymous]

If you really want to get tricky. Put a cheap decoder in the engine just for lights. That decoder and your QSI decoder would get programmed to the same address. Then pick a function number not used on the engine and assign it to the lighting decoder to either turn on or oscillate the ditch lights. I dont know how feasable this is as i havent seen the inside of the BLI SD40-2. But if there is room...

[CPPedler]

Thanks JPM335, that might just be the right way to go I wouldn't need them to oscillate as they don't do that on C.P.Rail. The inside space might just be a problem but I'll have to see. Hope there is Ditch Lights on the AC 6000 !!!! CPPedler.