Unique Mini Reflector Question

[Southwest Chief]

Hi,

I have an interesting question about flashlight reflectors that I'm sure hasn't been asked here before.

My hobby is model trains. I'm currently customizing a steam locomotive for our 1:22.5 scale layout. Here is what it looks like:

What I'm trying to find is a reflector small enough to use in the headlight of the locomotive.

This is what the unpainted headlight casting looks like:

The diameter of the headlight opening is roughly 15mm.

I have a golden white 3mm LED for lighting.

What I'm wondering is if any of the mini-maglight reflectors (maybe the one for the AAA) or another brand would fit in this headlight?

Does anyone know of a reflector that would work for my situation? I prefer smooth as opposed to orange peal because the prototype locomotive headlight reflectors are smooth.

Here's a photo of a prototype headlight in case anyone was interested:

Thanks for any info you can provide,

Matt

 

[Robin24k]

The head diameter of the 2AAA is 19mm, so the reflector is probably 17mm or 18mm. They do have a little edge on the sides, so you can probably trim off an additional mm or two.

http://www.maglite.com/anatomy_spare_AAA.asp

http://www.zbattery.com/Maglite-2-AAA-Reflector

 

[yellow]

what kind of led do You plan to use?

because there are ready made "reflectors" that fit over 5mm led perfectly, 12 mm outside diameter,
find that cheap part at You local led shop

[edit]
... just saw that You mentionned the led. :rolleyes:
there are the same ones available for 3mm also
[/edit]

 

[^Gurthang]

Chief,

That is a GREAT looking RGS engine, a 2-8-2 correct? Is it a K-62? [I used to be into scale RR long ago. At 1:22.5 scale it must be an arm full....

 

[Southwest Chief]

Thanks for all the input.

I went to Target yesterday just to see what kind of cheap flashlights they have and I brought a spare headlight casting with me to check the sizes.

Surprisingly I found a glow stick flashlight called Life Gear Glow that had a reflector almost perfect in size. Easy to remove the reflector too. It looks great.



Yep she's a 2-8-2. #461 was a former Rio Grande locomotive (D&RGW) that the Rio Grande Southern (RGS) purchased in the early 1950s. It is classified as a K-27. Sure is a handfull. The length of the loco and tender is a little over 30 inches.

If anyone would like to see our train layout website, here is a link:

Snowshoe & San Juan Model Railroad

 

[keysandslots]

Wow, nice railroad, I would love to be able to do something that nice. I have a few G Gauge locos, cars and track, hoping to set it up outside one of these days. Also have 70 HO locomotives, a dozen N locos and a few American Flyer locos still around, plus a bunch of cars and track for everything. Nothing running at the moment 'though, too busy with the slot cars.

Randy

 

[Locoboy5150]

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one around here that's into large scale model railroading. Is that a Bachmann K-27? I don't have any experience with operating one of those on my layout but they sure look beautiful at the hobby shop when I look in the display case.

Here are some photos of my layout:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/locoboy5150/sets/72157602668369185/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/locoboy5150/sets/72157602665659866/

 

[nbp]

:welcome:

Now that you have your train reflector question taken care of, maybe we can get you sucked into another hobby..... :devil:

 

[kosPap]

If anyone would like to see our train layout website, here is a link:

Snowshoe & San Juan Model Railroad

I will admit not being particularly interested even for an EX plastic modeler...
but sure as hell i would liek to see you light assembly and result (over the proper homeade/modified light section?)

And beamshots are required LOLOLOLOLOLOL

 

[^Gurthang]

Yep, SW Chief will have to add a miniature flashaholic to the layout, complete w/ a tiny SureFire light.

And add a "Bull" conductor chasing off the 'bo's w/ his battle lantern and billy.

 

[Southwest Chief]

Sorry for bringing back a really old post, but I noticed I never updated it with a photo of the headlight and reflector.

Here it is on display and out on the layout:

Is that a Bachmann K-27?

Sort of. It is actually a Bachmann 2-8-0 kitbashed into a K-27. The Bachmann K-27 is 1:20.3 scale but our layout is 1:22.5. So the best compromise to get a K-27 in our slightly smaller scale was to kitbash a Bachmann 2-8-0 into a K-27.

Yep, SW Chief will have to add a miniature flashaholic to the layout, complete w/ a tiny SureFire light.

And add a "Bull" conductor chasing off the 'bo's w/ his battle lantern and billy.

How about this :cool: