Fiber Optics On Loco's....Pictures

The picture below shows the model I converted (I have also done three other 40-2's with the fiber optics). Scroll down to the next picture to learn more. Also, the model in the photo is not done.


This picture shows some of the modifications I made. First off, the ditch lights are BLMA #29 with the centers drilled out. To prepare the optic I put a flame to the end to mushroom it out (this keeps it from going back into the model). Next I cut away two sections in the sill with a dremel tool (you cannot see this in the photo) and after cut away part of the walk way for both optics (you can see this in the picture). This loco is a snoot nose so it covers up the cuts in the walk way. Next I milled a little out of the nose of the mechanism so the optics wouldn't have to make such a sharp turn at the point of the nose. I then modified the white LED by drilling a hole in it and I modified the black light thingi (obviousely for lack of better words) . If you guys have any comments or questions, feel free to ask.

 

GeeWhizz, You do good work Craig! You know of course I could not have done it better. Well, OK I'll admit it, (I probably could NOT have done as well). OH OK then, You are a genius, (and here I thought I was alone!)

All kidding asside, Craig, you really do fine work! Compliments!!

 

Great work Craig.
BTW, what are you going to do now that Photopoint is going to charge for their services?
Keep up the great work.

[ 07 April 2001: Message edited by: rgn1 ]

 

probably charge us more!!

 

thanks for the great compliments guys!

Yes, the model is custom painted by me but is VERY far from being done.

Not sure what I will do about the whole photopoint thing, there has got to be another site out there like that.

Thanks again!

 

Craig,

Very nice work you did on this engine. What kind of fiber optics did you use (and what diameter) for this ?

Thanks

Jean-Louis Simonet
visit traiN'ternet: http://www.trainternet.org/

 

JLS, I got the fiber optics of a $2 pen I found at a drug store. When you press down Santas face and his hat (strands of fiber optics) lights up. I just brake them off as I need them. I would say they are around .010".

 

J-L, look for the latest in Xmas trees (yes, I know it's the wrong time of year ). They have sprays of FO out the end of the branches and should provide enough to modify 500 locos... well, nearly! They're not that expensive from memory and come in about the .010" diameter as well.
Look for them in those $2 type shops, if you have them there in France.

Gary.

 

Craig,
It will be a shame when you have to weather all of your locos.

 

Hi guys! I am proud to say that I have just added WORKING porch mounted ditch lights to my SF SD40-2 snoot (as well as working nose lights....and I patched the top headlight).

They look great! Only problem is you can see the fiber optics going out of the back of the ditch light into the nose, but if I didn't point it out, it might take you a while to see them.

I will have pictures soon.

 

Here is the SF snoot that has the porch mounted working ditch lights. Not done in pic. The second pic shows that you can barely see the fiber optics. They are SUPER bright.

 

Craig, looks good. I had a thought. Have you tried making a sharp right angle bend in the fiber when you are heating the end to make the "bulb"? We made sharp right angle bend in our fibers to go around resisters on our PCB's. Heat, clamp lichtly with your angle pliers, and hold til cool, they will stay. Maybe you could go down through the floor, and come up inside or just behind the ditch lights? (Can't bend real glass fibers , only the plastic ones).

 

I'm right there with you Washie. I don't think I'd want my train crews tripping on those clear cables. Craig, I also noticed on your UP "Flagger", ths paint is chipping off the hand rails. Did you soak them in vinager first? If you didn't, you should have. I hate to think of all that wonderfull work you did get taken down a notch by the hand rails. If I were you, strip, dip and repaint.

 

Hey Hemi,whats the storie on that GP38 pic you posted, I have never seen a BNSF engine with a samll fuel tank on it. Is it ex SF? Or is it a one of a kind.
Kevin

 

Hi guys, thanks for the input!

I have done many right angle's with fiber optics on different things before, but the way I have it now is very simple, and if the fiber optic brakes, I just heat the end of one and throw it in there (and I don't have to bend the right angles with the heat, etc).

I might try to get more creative later, but for now this looks really cool.....later....gotta run trains~