Blinking light on rear coal car

[Anonymous]

I need to know if anyone knows how to make or where to buy a (red) blinking light for the last coal car being pulled on my layout ? I live in illinois and see this on every end car . I model n scale.....I would like to power the light from the track if possible...thanks

[DrummingTrainfan]

I've seen many vendors at train shows that would sell precisely what you're looking for. I can't remember the name, but if you're lucky enough to have a train show in your area in the near future I'd make sure to keep an eye out for vendors of lights.

[howmus]

What you're looking for is a FRED (Flashing Rear End Device). Since I model 1925 and they had Cabooses back then, I can't help you on manufacturers. Try Walther's online: http://www.walthers.com/ and do a search on FRED.

[bnsfncoal]

There was a guy on ebay that sold kits or retro-fitted cars. Coal and intermodals are the type I remember seeing but I think he had others. Haven't seen them lately and there was a company name I'll see if I can find it.

Guy

[bnsfncoal]

Hobbyrail out of Canada sells a kit for around $10.00. I'm sure this is only one of many though...Good luck!!

Guy

[waltersrails]

never thought of adding fred to my layout but i might now. every train i see has one.

[Anonymous]

No Train is complete without a Caboose.

[Anonymous]

Thats what I love about this forum......ask a question get the answers [:D] thanks guys

[Anonymous]

What you're looking for is a FRED (Flashing Rear End Device). Since I model 1925 and they had Cabooses back then, I can't help you on manufacturers. Try Walther's


actually the f in fred origionally ,by the crews wasnt called flashing ,seeing how it eliminated 2 jobs it was called fu##ing rear end device ,now its refered to as an e.t.d
or end of train device .

[Anonymous]

If I'm not mistaken, Railroad Model Craftsman recently had an article about scratchbuilding a FRED, maybe in the Nov. or Dec. issue.

[challenger3802]

Using a miniature red flashing LED would have the same effect, connect the terminals across a battery hidden in the wagon, or attach wwires down to the wheels (hoping that they're metal ones) to pick up the current from the track to drive it. Protect the LED with a resistor in series.

Ian

[cspmo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by shawnbobbitt

What you're looking for is a FRED (Flashing Rear End Device). Since I model 1925 and they had Cabooses back then, I can't help you on manufacturers. Try Walther's


actually the f in fred origionally ,by the crews wasnt called flashing ,seeing how it eliminated 2 jobs it was called fu##ing rear end device ,now its refered to as an e.t.d
or end of train device .

I always wonder what the F stood for, now I can sleep at night.

[cwclark]

a FRED can be made by using one of those red light blinking coat lapel devices that you pin on your shirt at parties or what not...i saw an article once in MRR (which issue i don't know) that showed how to dissassemble it and re wire it that used some styrene to hold the LED in place and all the electronics are in the rolling stock of your choice..i have one of those blinking red lights that are on a pair of lips that blink but they are my wife's and she won't let me take it apart...i'll find one one of these days and build a scratch built FRED device...chuck

[route_rock]

Now all you need is a whistle to make it sound like the new air powered etd's. They are annoying when riding back on the last car.
ETD's are a fun creature to deal with. Every train has to have one,except DPU coal trains as the dp unit can be used as a etd.All the freds used to do was tell the engineer how much trainline pressure is at the rear end. And to provide a marker ( trains are not trains unless there is a marker).So for the longest time thats all they did was flash and act as a counter for how long the train was ( to tell you if your past a slow order etc)
Now etds must be able to initiate a emergency application from the rear of train. If freddie dies on you you are restricted to 30 mph.
Now for a true tale from the rail! Some crews when sitting in the yard waiting to go will listen in to a rival or not so friendly persons etd number being broadcast. So they dial it in on their HTD and then when said person is pulling out of the yard a flip of the switch and WHAM! their train stops. If you do it right they dont foul where you need to get out and off you go while said train crew is doing awalk around ( Trains heavier than 5,000 tons that have an emergency stop initiated must be visually inspected hehehe) and your ahead of thema nd home before them as well.

[bogp40]

Tomar and Minitronics make some quality lighting and effects to use on your equipment.

[Don Gibson]

YOU NEED a F.R.E.D and a AA Battery, with a switch (to turn it off when not in use.

My favorite is one mounted on a KD coupler with the battery circuit inside.

[Budliner]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cwclark

a FRED can be made by using one of those red light blinking coat lapel devices that you pin on your shirt at parties or what not...i saw an article once in MRR (which issue i don't know) that showed how to dissassemble it and re wire it that used some styrene to hold the LED in place and all the electronics are in the rolling stock of your choice..i have one of those blinking red lights that are on a pair of lips that blink but they are my wife's and she won't let me take it apart...i'll find one one of these days and build a scratch built FRED device...chuck

I too have the blinking light shirt thingy
but the darn things are getting more sophisticated
its more like a movie sign then a blinking light
mine has like 9 lights on it

K

[Anonymous]

I have installed blinking lights on my cabooses. They are battery powered (CR2032, 3V, 20mm diameter). The battery powers a free-running multivibrator with a period of about 1.5 seconds. The lights are red T-1 (3mm) LEDs. The average current drain is about 2 ma so the battery lasts about 70 hrs. I solder directly to the battery to avoid the need for a bulky battery holder.

The tricky part was the ON/OFF switch. I mounted a mini-slide switch inside the shell so it was accessable through a window. This, the device can be switched on and off without removing the caboose from the track.

[route_rock]

could you use a reed switch? I think I saw something about them and magnets but I will be darned if I can remember where.