Model Railroading > Light ‘Em Up! (Part 4) – Latest ST Run of Tunnel Motors

I just received my new Tunnel Motors from ScaleTrains.  I was expecting the Nose Step Light to be there, but I’m VERY happy to report 2 other Lighting Details were also included. 
 
There are also Ground Lights, on each side of the cab.  They are well executed.  Bright enough to be seen in low light, but not visible in normal room lighting.  THANK YOU ScaleTrains!
 
On the conductor’s side of the long hood, the walkway is raised-up for a blower duct.  At the end of that duct is a toolbox.  The step-up at the toolbox is a trip hazard, and the prototype has a Toolbox Step Light.  Well, now so does the model.  :-O
 
These are a VERY pleasant surprise!  With each new run of Tunnel Motors, ScaleTrains adds innovations that raise the bar even higher than before. 
 
 
Dave
 



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/25 00:57 by tmotor.

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Did you get any of the SP 8200 series units from the latest run. I couldn't get the UDE light to work on either end of my SP 8254. It should be on the AUX 9 output, but I haven't opened it up yet to check the wiring. I also noticed that the functions listed in the manual don't match what was programmed in the decoder. The manual says that F14 is the UDE light, but found the F14 activates the number board lights and the F15 is for the UDE light in the decoder. There were some other differeces too. Like you, I'm building up my fleet of ScaleTrains units and will only keep a couple Athearn models.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/25 12:03 by funnelfan.

Greetings Ted!

> Did you get any of the SP 8200 series units from
> the latest run.
Yes. 
SP 8233 - As Delivered

> I couldn't get the UDE light to
> work on either end of my SP 8254. It should be on
> the AUX 9 output, but I haven't opened it up yet
> to check the wiring. I also noticed that the
> functions listed in the manual don't match what
> was programmed in the decoder. The manual says
> that F14 is the UDE light, but found the F14
> activates the number board lights
Same on mine.  
Definitely a typo. They merely copied the chart for the Function Mapping from the previous runs, but it has changed.

> and the F15 is
> for the UDE light in the decoder.
F15 does activate the UDE on mine, front and rear.
When enabled, it disables the Headlight and Gyralight.
If you have an ESU Decoder Tester, the LokSound decoder can be removed from the engine and mounted on the 21-pin connector.  There are 12 LEDs that correspond to different AUX output terminals on the decoder.  If AUX 9 lights-up, then you know the decoder is working, so it is most likely a wiring issue.
In case it helps, I have attached a digram labeling of all the terminal outputs (for lighting on the front of the engine) on the ScaleTrains motherboard from the previous Tunnel Motor runs.  For the 2 engines I looked at, neither was As Delivered, so they didn't have UDE lights.  I suspect the terminal outputs for the Beacon were used for the UDE, but not sure.  (Only way to find out is to pull the shell and trace the wires.) 

> There were some
> other differeces too.
I suspect there was something "lost in translation".  It would be nice to have the listed Function Mapping be accurate, otherwise it becomes a hunt-n-peck session.
I suppose it isn't that important since I plan to remap a bunch of stuff.  By the time I get done, my Function Mapping won't match the ScaleTrains manual anyway.

> Like you, I'm building up my
> fleet of ScaleTrains units and will only keep a
> couple Athearn models.
I'm keeping some SD45T-2s around.  If ScaleTrains keeps lagging on the announcement of their SD45T-2, I may just pull the shell off of the Athearn and try to fit it to a ScaleTrains chassis...Dr. Frankenstein style :-D

Take care and God bless!
Dave



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/25 19:01 by tmotor.

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That unit look great and ST keeps raising the bar higher and higher!

I've always thought that ground lights on models often end up looking like unwanted light leaks.

The trick, in my opinion, is for it to be very subtle and in a somewhat tight and controlled pattern.

It looks a bit light leaky in the above pics, but I suspect it's probably more subtle and convincing in person.

 

This morning I paid for my invoice of 4 ScaleTrains SD40T-2's I had pre-ordered.  I managed to sell enough surplus trains ahead of time to completely cover the cost this time as I am trying to give the old CC a break this month.

I'm looking forward to receiving D&RGW #5363 and 5365, and SP #8270 and 8298.  When this order arrives, I'll be up to 8 D&RGW ScaleTrains SD40T-2's (six numbers as-delivered from the earlier runs, and two from this latest run, all as-delivered).

I still have around 5 Athearn SP SD45T-2's I'm holding onto most of them for now.  If ScaleTrains is planning on offering an SD45T-2, they are being very quiet about it.

And speaking of ground lights, back when dinosaures roamed the earth, I was on a canoe camping trip down the Russian River in northern California.  One night we slept on the river bank near a railroad bridge over the river.  A train passed by when it was dark and you could clearly see the ground lights - something I had never noticed before.  Pretty cool!

Cheers,
Jim



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/15/25 04:40 by SPDRGWfan.

Greetings tehachapifan!

> That unit look great and ST keeps raising the bar
> higher and higher!
Gotta' LOVE ScaleTrains!
Their introduction of their first run of Tunnel Motors was what rekindled my interest in model railroading.  I had been doing mostly railfanning, but after I saw what they did with the rear gear tower, I was inspired.

> I've always thought that ground lights on models
> often end up looking like unwanted light leaks.
> The trick, in my opinion, is for it to be very
> subtle and in a somewhat tight and controlled
> pattern.
There is some hardware and plumbing under the sill, so there will be some odd shadows cast.

> It looks a bit light leaky in the above pics,
That is a valid observation.  

> but
> I suspect it's probably more subtle and convincing
> in person.
Correct.
I left the shutter open 1/2 second to soak-in enough light to create a high contrast.
In-person it is more subtle.
However, your point is well taken.  I plan to see where the LED is positioned.  I hope to extend it with a short Light Pipe to avoid some of the hardware under the sill.

Take care and God bless!
Dave

Greetings Jim!

> This morning I paid for my invoice of 4
> ScaleTrains SD40T-2's I had pre-ordered.  I
> managed to sell enough surplus trains ahead of
> time to completely cover the cost this time as I
> am trying to give the old CC a break this month.
Your financial planner will be proud of you.

> I'm looking forward to receiving D&RGW #5363 and
> 5365, and SP #8270 and 8298.  When this order
> arrives, I'll be up to 8 D&RGW ScaleTrains
> SD40-2's (six numbers as-delivered from the
> earlier runs, and two from this latest run, all
> as-delivered).
NICE!  
The more Tunnel Motors the better!  :-D

> I still have around 5 Athearn SP SD45T-2's I'm
> holding onto most of them for now.  If
> ScaleTrains is planning on offering an SD45T-2,
> they are being very quiet about it.
It is a natural follow-on.  
I'm sure the demand would be high.

> And speaking of ground lights, back when
> dinosaures roamed the earth, I was on a canoe
> camping trip down the Russian River in northern
> California.  One night we slept on the river bank
> near a railroad bridge over the river.  A train
> passed by when it was dark and you could clearly
> see the ground lights - something I had never
> noticed before.  Pretty cool!
During my Night Photography phase, I was seeing the same scenery and motive power (as during the day) but it was a whole new experience.  That is the main reason I'm pursing the Lighting Details project.  

Take care and God bless!
Dave

With surface mount leds now, the lighting effects are going to be more and more doable.  I like the look, but maybe I'll just grab another TunnelMotor instead of replacing the ScaleTrains one I have.  No such thing as too many TunnelMotors.

I was showing my oldest my new Amtrak P40 and it has the strobe lights above the cab windows and the effect is really well done.  I'm pretty sure Amtrak stopped using those by 1995 (the era I model), but it's been fun to play with the lighting effects on that Genesis unit.  The red nose lights are going to be perfect for when I get the Athearn California Cars so I can run push-pull.  To paraphrase a line from Aladdin, "phenomenal lighting effects in an itty bitty loco shell!" 

Nathan

Greetings Nathan!

> With surface mount leds now, the lighting effects
> are going to be more and more doable.  
I'm still amazed at how much light such a small device can produce.  :-O

> I like the
> look, but maybe I'll just grab another TunnelMotor
> instead of replacing the ScaleTrains one I have.
>  No such thing as too many TunnelMotors.
I couldn't agree more.

> I was showing my oldest my new Amtrak P40 and it
> has the strobe lights above the cab windows and
> the effect is really well done.  I'm pretty sure
> Amtrak stopped using those by 1995 (the era I
> model), but it's been fun to play with the
> lighting effects on that Genesis unit.  The red
> nose lights are going to be perfect for when I get
> the Athearn California Cars so I can run
> push-pull.  
A lot of folks are eagerly anticipating the California Cars.  

> To paraphrase a line from Aladdin,
> "phenomenal lighting effects in an itty bitty loco
> shell!" 
This kind of lighting was usually only seen if done by the modeler.  To have manufacturers implement these Lighting Details for us makes it so much easier.

Take care and God bless!
Dave

Well, the as-delivered DRGW #5358 DCC/sound had been sold out but today the holds expired and it showed back in stock so I jumped on it. They only must have had a couple because they are sold out again now.

By the way, shipping is no longer free for $99 or more orders. It was nice while it lasted. Minimum went way up to $399 for free shipping.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/25 19:02 by SPDRGWfan.

Greetings Jim!

> Well, the as-delivered DRGW #5358 DCC/sound had
> been sold out but today the holds expired and it
> showed back in stock so I jumped on it. They only
> must have had a couple because they are sold out
> again now.
Glad you were able to snagged one.
The payment deadline expires for preordered units on March 21 (today), so they must have pulled the trigger and moved unclaimed units to normal stock.

> By the way, shipping is no longer free for $99 or
> more orders. It was nice while it lasted.
> Minimum went way up to $399 for free shipping.
Good to know.

Take care and God bless!
Dave