Lighting for tender

bostonjim Sep 17, 2020

  1. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Hi, All. Hope everybody is well. I have started converting some of my Marklin steam locos, both 2-8-2's and 4-6-2's into NHRR ones. I have completed (just about) 3 of them and am working on a fourth. Both locos come with the same tender so there is not much to do but add prototypical ladders and coal to upgrade them. I have used n-scale decals and can't notice a huge difference. I would like to make the fourth tender a bit different but am not sure how to proceed. The 2-8-2's were used mainly for road switching and the tender had a spot light mounted on the rear. I would like to attempt one. How can I get power to a nano LED so that it will light in reverse mode? Thanks, Jim
     
  2. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Do you have any pictures for us? Please...
     
  3. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Here are a couple of photos of the three locos I have converted. I used the Zelatory conversion kits and MTL couplers. I added prototypical ladders and coal to enhance the appearance. The decals are n-scale (60-864, if interested) I used Krylon flat black spray paint and various weathering techniques. #1312 is my first attempt at doing this and is the most prototypical. I have one more conversion to do. It will have the same tender but I'd like to add a spot light like I have seen in photos. The 2-8-2's were used as switchers. Thanks, Jim 20200917_110600.jpg 20200917_110637.jpg 20200917_110645.jpg
     
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  4. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Wow, very nice!(y)
     
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  5. Zscaleplanet

    Zscaleplanet TrainBoard Supporter

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    WOW!! Fantastic work. Excellent work on the weathering details as it is not too overdone, yet simplistic and realistic in nature.

    Curious that you used Krylon flat black. Would that have been in a rattle can or did you shoot it into a bottle and then used an airbrush??? I’ve used many a can of Krylon over the years on full sized automotive restoration products so I know how difficult it is to work with a rattle can.
     
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  6. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    I used rattle can. No. 51602. I didn't experience any difficulties. It is sealed with Dull-cote. I then add the weathering and then another coat of Dull Cote. Jim
     
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  7. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Lots of ways, but one way (DC Power) would be to use a shorty power pickup truck, bridge rectifier, and resistor. For DCC, just use the reverse output of the decoder.
     
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  8. Zscaleplanet

    Zscaleplanet TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hmmm. My concern would’ve been that it might have been a tad thick and would have pooled up over the small details, but apparently not. Nice work, and I forgot to comment on the couplers as well. All looks top notch.
     
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  9. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Very nice! Thanks Jim!
     
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  10. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Welcome to the hobby. The Zelatory conversion kit allows you to remove the Marklin fish-claw couplers so you can add MTL couplers. The converter allows you to align the new couplers. You will need new MTL trucks as well as the converter kit. The Zelatory kits are available from your local Z dealer. I also added 36" metal wheels. Jim
     
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  11. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Hi, Lance. I used several very light coats. I sprayed over the existing decals with no noticeable trace. The most tedious part was making the individual number boards. Each number is an individual number, It took a long time. I would love to get a slope-backed tender just for variety. Thanks for your nice words. It has been slow in Trainville. Jim
     
  12. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Yeah, I have so much woo woo woo I want to do, but the air is so smoky in the garage that I have suffered indoors all week. We are under a red air alert, and they are telling us 8 hours of outdoor exposure is equal to 40 cigarettes, so stay indoors. I do everything in the garage.
     
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  13. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    I have been following the news in your part of the country. I hope all is well with you and yours. All you can do is lay low, pray for rain and favorable winds. I just haven't been inspired until late July when I started converting Marklin steam locos to NHRR. The NP starter set was the first to go. I have one more 4-6-2 and then I think I will have a Marklin yard sale. Be well and thanks for all you do and add to the forum. Jim
     
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  14. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Enough of us did the rain dance-it started raining good here in Seattle an hour ago!

    Hallelujah!!:D
     
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  15. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Yay! Thanks Seattle... Boise just started sprinkling a few minutes ago, I hope it pours!
     
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  16. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    For tender power pickup do a search for " Spring Bronze Wheel Pick-Up "
     
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  17. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you. I will. Jim
     
  18. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the tip. I have ordered them. Jim
     
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