Another Atlas GP30 Question

[spookshow]

I don't know how I missed this, but evidently the new run of Atlas GP30's includes versions that have a nose headlight. If anyone out there has one, can you tell me how they get light to the nose and how well it works? Pictures welcome 

Thanks!
-Mark

[Wolf N Works]

Mark you got me. I got all three of the new run of DRGW GP30s and was really surprised, none have nose headlights (granted on DRGW these would have been MARS, but they should have at least put them on like other runs of the past), so it is off to filing I go...

[spookshow]

Maybe they don't even light up, although that would be weird for Atlas.

-Mark

[davefoxx]

@spookshow,

I think this YouTube video has the information that you're looking for:

Hope this helps,
DFF

[Mark5]

From the looks of it, it appears to be non-lit.

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[spookshow]

Thanks, Dave. Yep, definitely not lit.

-Mark

[Ed Kapuscinski]

For reference, these nose light versions have been around for ages. I had one back before 2000.

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Dave. Yep, definitely not lit.

-Mark

@spookshow,

But did you notice the YouTube video at 2:14?  It looks like an LED activated as a Mars Light or Gyra Light mounted to the bottom of the DCC decoder board!  But, the light from that LED is blocked by that cab window shield (or whatever Atlas calls that part- their website is apparently down this morning).

DFF

[spookshow]

Maybe some of the light bleeds down to the nose then. That light shield isn't quite as effective as it used to be, lol.



-Mark

[Iain]

I wonder how the wires soldered to the trucks will hold up.  I'm not entirely sure I'm a fan of that; besides the flexing solder joints never being good (there's a reason soldered wire connections are banned on USCG inspected vessels), there's the whole it makes it harder to take the thing apart if necessary.

[davefoxx]

Maybe some of the light bleeds down to the nose then. That light shield isn't quite as effective as it used to be, lol.



-Mark

Ooh, that doesn't look good.  But, maybe you can add to your review that the modeler could possibly correct these issues with some judicious use of black electrical tape (as a viewblock to the cab windows) and fiber optics (to get that light to the nose headlight).  The electronics appear to be there, so it's just sprucing up the appearance!

DFF

[kscessandriver]

I wonder how the wires soldered to the trucks will hold up.  I'm not entirely sure I'm a fan of that; besides the flexing solder joints never being good (there's a reason soldered wire connections are banned on USCG inspected vessels), there's the whole it makes it harder to take the thing apart if necessary.

I think all the new Atlas releases will be this way. The newest run of SD60/SD60E has the same wire soldered to the truck pickup.

[Mark5]

A lot of manufacturer's locos these days have ridiculously bright lighting in the cabs (think poltergeist).

The Broadway SD40-2s are like that. Another thing to fix before placing in service.

[u18b]

Mark, can't speak for the entire history of this loco, but...

In Nov/Dec 1995 issue of N-Scale Mag (p. 26), I published an article on getting light to the nose headlight on an SP GP30.   So the low lights (unlit) go back at least that far.

In fact, that means it may go all the way back to the first run- which you list as 1992.
The timing fits.

[squirrelhunter]

Oh the wires are terrible. I broke a set swapping out a set of truck frames. Luckily I was able to just substitute the traditional wipers. Really wish they would go back to the wipers.