Post by CP_8530 on Jul 6, 2010 23:19:25 GMT -5
Background:
Like the title says, adding some of the large Pyle "Barrel" or "Garbage Can" style headlights to a LL Proto 2000 GP7.
Canadian Pacific had most of their GP7 units and early GP9's delivered with this style headlight. Almost all units were either refitted with dual sealed-beams, or a dual sealed-beam insert into the barrel. I believe a few retained them into the rebuild program of the 1980's. Other railroads that used this style of headlight included CN and WP.
www.cprdieselroster.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%208400/CP%208412.htm
Materials:
The parts in question came from Details West, part 133 Pyle barrel headlights. I believe I used some 1.8mm(?) 12-16v bulbs from Miniatronics for mounting inside them. Clear lenses would also need to be purchased.
Hobby tools would include a small pin vise drill, drill bits, a small file set, X-acto knife with new/sharp blade, small pliars, and your preferred glue (Testors liquid cement in this case). Paints and paint brush if required.
Process:
I've included a bunch of quickie shots I took on the workbench to illustrate the process.
-First, you want to get over the fear of damaging your factory-painted model when slicing off the dual sealed beam hedlights. Ok? Ok.
-Next, remove the numberboard/light bars from the front and rear of the shell. You may be able to remove stubborn ones by prying inside with a small screwdriver, or wiggling them with small pliars.
-Now, put a new sharp X-acto blade on your knife and gently slice off the existing headlights. Go carefully and cut flush, or make a few cuts if you feel you might mash up the paint around. The headlights might get a bit harder to cut through when you hit the middle. My experience has taught me that if I'm trying to force a cut and think I might nick myself with the knife, to stop and try a safer approach.
-Once they're sliced off, it should look something like this (minus that small hole that I drilled before grabbing the camera):
-Next, drill two small holes side by side between the headlights so you can slice down and open up that area with your x-acto knife. Drilling one of the holes:
Once you've opened that area with your knife, get a small round file and enlarge the middle to the size of your light bulbs so they can fit through and into your barrel headlights. Maybe make it a tad bigger if the headlight doesn't align 100% (but don't make it wider than the base at the back of your barrel headlights) clean up flush with knife after.
-Next, prepare your new headlights for mounting. Cut off the casting sprue off the rear and drill out the centre of the light for your bulbs. Round files may help here too. Paint the exterior the appropriate colour, and then the interior silver or aluminum:
-Rough up the rear of your headlight with a file a bit so glue holds better, and then consulting prototype photos glue it to the shell in the appropriate location:
Huzzah, the mounting part is done!
Light bar modifications and wiring assembly next.
Like the title says, adding some of the large Pyle "Barrel" or "Garbage Can" style headlights to a LL Proto 2000 GP7.
Canadian Pacific had most of their GP7 units and early GP9's delivered with this style headlight. Almost all units were either refitted with dual sealed-beams, or a dual sealed-beam insert into the barrel. I believe a few retained them into the rebuild program of the 1980's. Other railroads that used this style of headlight included CN and WP.
www.cprdieselroster.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%208400/CP%208412.htm
Materials:
The parts in question came from Details West, part 133 Pyle barrel headlights. I believe I used some 1.8mm(?) 12-16v bulbs from Miniatronics for mounting inside them. Clear lenses would also need to be purchased.
Hobby tools would include a small pin vise drill, drill bits, a small file set, X-acto knife with new/sharp blade, small pliars, and your preferred glue (Testors liquid cement in this case). Paints and paint brush if required.
Process:
I've included a bunch of quickie shots I took on the workbench to illustrate the process.
-First, you want to get over the fear of damaging your factory-painted model when slicing off the dual sealed beam hedlights. Ok? Ok.
-Next, remove the numberboard/light bars from the front and rear of the shell. You may be able to remove stubborn ones by prying inside with a small screwdriver, or wiggling them with small pliars.
-Now, put a new sharp X-acto blade on your knife and gently slice off the existing headlights. Go carefully and cut flush, or make a few cuts if you feel you might mash up the paint around. The headlights might get a bit harder to cut through when you hit the middle. My experience has taught me that if I'm trying to force a cut and think I might nick myself with the knife, to stop and try a safer approach.
-Once they're sliced off, it should look something like this (minus that small hole that I drilled before grabbing the camera):
-Next, drill two small holes side by side between the headlights so you can slice down and open up that area with your x-acto knife. Drilling one of the holes:
Once you've opened that area with your knife, get a small round file and enlarge the middle to the size of your light bulbs so they can fit through and into your barrel headlights. Maybe make it a tad bigger if the headlight doesn't align 100% (but don't make it wider than the base at the back of your barrel headlights) clean up flush with knife after.
-Next, prepare your new headlights for mounting. Cut off the casting sprue off the rear and drill out the centre of the light for your bulbs. Round files may help here too. Paint the exterior the appropriate colour, and then the interior silver or aluminum:
-Rough up the rear of your headlight with a file a bit so glue holds better, and then consulting prototype photos glue it to the shell in the appropriate location:
Huzzah, the mounting part is done!
Light bar modifications and wiring assembly next.
.
