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Post by jimnorton on Aug 16, 2012 11:25:44 GMT -8
The search light car was a classic train set accessory. Two questions:
1) Was there ever a prototype search light car of any kind?
2) What could DCC bring to a modern HO search light car?
Jim Norton
Huntsville, AL
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Post by Brakie on Aug 16, 2012 13:27:03 GMT -8
1) Was there ever a prototype search light car of any kind?
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In the 55 years I been around railroads and in the hobby I never seen a prototype search light car.Maybe the military had 'em I dunno..
IMHO the model search light car was just a "action" accessory for train sets.
I think Lionel was the first to produce one.
As far as DCC maybe off/on and bright/dim?
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Post by edwardsutorik on Aug 16, 2012 14:27:00 GMT -8
Maybe you could put the decoder from the new Athearn reefer in it somehow and have sound for the generator.
My fave was the Lionel portable generator car--the blue boxcar with the light pole you plugged in. Nice "special effects". I think I read somewhere that there was actually a prototype.
Ed
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Post by valenciajim on Aug 16, 2012 15:21:15 GMT -8
The Blue Lionel box car was marked with GM markings so I suspect that there was a prototype.
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Post by calzephyr on Aug 16, 2012 15:55:38 GMT -8
The Blue Lionel box car was marked with GM markings so I suspect that there was a prototype. The search light car seemed to be a standard item since it had a light bulb in it and people would notice it quickly. If I remember correctly, we had one of those for the American Flyer set. We had a caboose that had a flagman that would move out when the power was off and step back in when the power was applied. Most of the animation for O and S tinplate was to grab attention. It was fun and the whistle was over in the corner of the room hidden inside a billboard sign. Larry |
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Post by jimnorton on Aug 16, 2012 16:28:23 GMT -8
Thats a great idea as far as DCC goes to be able to control and hear the sound of the diesel generator! Also, a constant and bright intensity of the search light would be a modern day improvement as well.
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Post by Mark R. on Aug 16, 2012 16:44:51 GMT -8
 .... Attachments:
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Post by calzephyr on Aug 16, 2012 17:15:44 GMT -8
.... Interesting!! Not on a large flat car but the car looks to be just a bit larger than a maintenance motorized vehicle. This one looks to be moveable since it has wheels but not in a train type car. Any information on where this car was located in this picture?? The building looks to be too small for a generator but it must have some kind of power unit in it. Larry |
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Post by Brakie on Aug 16, 2012 17:32:59 GMT -8
.... Wow! That's a first! Thanks for posting that photo. |
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Post by Mark R. on Aug 16, 2012 17:37:23 GMT -8
.... Interesting!! Not on a large flat car but the car looks to be just a bit larger than a maintenance motorized vehicle. This one looks to be moveable since it has wheels but not in a train type car. Any information on where this car was located in this picture?? The building looks to be too small for a generator but it must have some kind of power unit in it. Larry According to the history of Fort Foster in Maine, this is a 60 inch searchlight mounted on a railcar, circa 1918. Two of these Sperry searchlights were kept at the fort to be emplaced at Seward's Point when needed. They were shipped to Fort Totten NY in 1921. They were moved by rail from the searchlight shelter to the shore when needed. Mark. |
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Post by Mark R. on Aug 16, 2012 17:41:01 GMT -8
Not quite the same, but still a searchlight .... Beginning in 1901, the International Railway Company ran night illumination trips on the Great Gorge Route, using a special searchlight car to light up the Whirlpool Rapids of Niagara Falls .... Attachments:
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Post by mlehman on Aug 16, 2012 21:05:48 GMT -8
The Blue Lionel box car was marked with GM markings so I suspect that there was a prototype. That correct. There was a prototype for the GM diesel powerplants. I remember an article about these a few years back. They were leased to folks needing portable power. |
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Post by SantaFeJim on Aug 17, 2012 7:27:22 GMT -8
Current Lionel Version.  |
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Post by calzephyr on Aug 17, 2012 7:51:47 GMT -8
Jim Thanks for the current Lionel version picture. That power generator is interesting and looks to be very heavy duty. The roller caps on the truck makes it up to date for this era. It would seem that the seach light car was an oddity and not a normal item in the USA. We have yet to see a picture of a regular flat bed or heavy drop flat car with a light and generator on it. It probably did exist but it was rare indeed. I was wondering if the Circus train ever used one of these many years ago. Larry |
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Post by mlehman on Aug 17, 2012 8:23:03 GMT -8
Found the article I was thinking of:
Diesel power generating plants
Diesel engines are also useful as power plants
by Preston Cook
Railroad Model Craftsman August 2009 p. 60
There were several models of these, each more powerful as GM/EMD developed bigger diesels for its locomotives. There was the MP-16, MP-36, and finally the MP-45. The last wasn't a car, but a skid mounted unit that could be moved by flatcar.
The article indicates that the MP-16 was the prototype of the Lionel car.
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