Diesel lighting

[cnwidecabnut]

Just after I got back into the hobby after a 20 year hiatus, I saw a DCC locomotive with flashing ditch lights on a friends layout. I just about gagged on my drool as I'd never seen anything that cool before in model railroading. In fact, I was simply astounded in the advances of the hobby, but the ditch lights really grabbed me by the throat. All my units up til now have been strictly analog, but I am moving to DCC. My P2K/Kaslo SD60F is the first unit with a decoder and I even have a sound module for it. I just recently finished my Athearn BB (custom painted) VIA P42DC and kept the factory lighting. Yesterday, I replaced the bulb with 4 LED's, one each for headlight, backup light and each ditch light with the intention of putting in an A4X decoder in.
On another front, my CN SW1200RS (again an Athearn BB train show special) is pretty much ready for decals. I am also putting an M1 decoder and forward and reverse LED's in. That was a challenge as the Juneco light/numberboard castings are solid. I'll let you know how they turn out....

[cnwidecabnut]

Thanks Jeff. Got a question for you - that via paint - was it green or was it blue. The blue I used on mine is the exact shade of the one that I went to see at the station. Would love to get a small bottle of the actual paint. The 1200RS should be done before too long and will definitely post photos.

[cnwidecabnut]

Self changing paint schemes, eh - maybe theres something there :>) I have a neat picture that I'll post when I get home of 2 lashed P42's, one definitely blue and one definitely green. Have you seen the via brochure that is in the stations? Very green and very wishful thinking. I'd like to do another P42 with the intended/actual paint just to see the difference. Thanks for the info

[cnwidecabnut]

Just in need of some grime now - can't wait to fire up the lights!
It ain't perfect, but neither am I....
I think this would qualify for a cheap board build as well (gotta love the Athearn BB locos )

[cnwidecabnut]

Here is a picture of 2 Via P42's side by side with very different colours


Thanks for the 1200RS picture, Stephen

[Smoke]

The funny part about that picture is that the units numbers are #918 and #917.

[cnwidecabnut]

Well to finish off this thread, here are pics of my (99%) completed SW1200RS lighted and better shots of my P42DC also lighted





BTW, just like sarge, the 1200RS was my first attempt at weathering with chalks. Unlike sarge, if I screwed it up, no one would notice on a black unit Nice work Jim

[sarge]

Those look great to me! Just dirty enough