Any headlights with angled number boards available?

[Maletrain]

I want to put some top-ot-the-smokebox headlights on some Bachmann and BLI steam locos, which is where the B&O typically moved its headlights when they took possession.  I see Lemosteam has made headlights, but their number boards are not angled.

It would probably be best if they were printed or cast in clear plastic, so that one LED could light them along with the front lens.

 

[Lemosteam]

It would take me 15 minutes to do this.  Send picture of one and I will try to duplicate it.

This was made with the old shapeways white resin, with a single LET lighting the inside.  Silver paint on the outside to block light bleed and black over that.

This was a vet quick test.  I have white resin and all you need are decals in the number boards.

[Maletrain]

Thanks for the interest, John.

I can show you lots of photos, but the only drawings I have found are not very helpful as to angle of the boards, etc.

I am going to spend some time looking for a decent drawing.

[peteski]

I don't have any handy at the moment but I think some of Model Power locos had such headlights (for John to use for reference). I seem to recall seeing those on other models too. Big Boy maybe?

[Lemosteam]

All I need is an overall width at the widest point.  Also I am pretty good at judging proportion so while it may not be exact, it should be close enough.

This is a cool reference I found, scroll to page 622.

https://books.google.com/books?id=oMY1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA575&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false



Assuming a 14" dia headlight, ignoring perspective, and using a proportion calibration tool, the width at the back of the numberboards appears to be about 20". I'll start with this but let me know if you find differently as I can revise cad on the fly.:

[Lemosteam]

@Maletrain , just funnin’ about on the printer…





The lit images are desaturated heavily to see the light origin. If you need measurement of this design, let me know.

[Maletrain]

John, That looks really good.

I haven't been able to get any better info from the B&O group or my own searches.  So, my thought is that if the front diameter of this version is the same as your version with the non-angled number boards, then the scale is good.  And the angle of the boards looks about right.

[Lemosteam]

@Maletrain , thanks- PM Sent to you.

[chessie system fan]

It occurred to me today that I took these pictures at the B&O museum back in the day.  Maybe they'll be of help.

[Maletrain]

Thank you Aaron.  The photos of the mounting bracket are also really helpful.

[Lemosteam]

@chessie system fan , thanks for those images.  They will come in handy with an improved iteration.

[Lemosteam]

@Maletrain , here is the latest design. Please bear with the pictures…

[Maletrain]

That looks really good!

I plan to put the front-facing, non-illuminated number board on that by using a piece of brass with a tab that goes back under the mounting bracket.  It looks like there is a good place for that tab.

And the light getting to the illuminated number boards seems muted enough that it may be pretty easy to make the whole thing look right when lighted by the LED headlight.

Can't wait to work with one.

[Lemosteam]

I am going to try to paint the light and add some black numbers.  I plan to mask the numberboard with Elmer's glue and paint over that.  The inside will be hand brushed with silver, and the outside will be sprayed with silver., when that dries I will go over it with Tamiya TS-6 matte black.  After that I'll pick out the Elmer's and lay on the decal and we'll see how it looks.  I may lay a coat of clear gloss on the numberboard first as it's unclear on how smooth that angled surface is.  Just rambling
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[Lemosteam]

@Maletrain , here is my attempt at painting, and decaling the light. The LED is well kept inside the housing with no leaks. I did add a Fiber optic smooshed lens to fit the light housing.

I like to test my designs so my customers are happy. Give me the word and I will add it to the offerings. I think it looks really good. The only issue I had was during handling, the TS-6 would wear off of the Testors silver spray paint I used as the base coat, so there is lots of touch up that once dullcoated should prevent that.