Backyard Rails Info

This forum is dedicated to Riding Scale Railroading with propulsion using other than steam (Hydraulics, diesel engines, gas engines, electric motors, hybrid etc.)

Moderator: Harold_V

Post Reply
ccvstmr
Posts: 2230
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 10:37 am
Location: New Lenox, IL

Backyard Rails Info

Post by ccvstmr »

Hello all...

Is there's anyone out there in Chaski-land with a Backyard Rails F-7 or GP-50 loco? Looking for info on the headlight Don Phillips used in his loco production. Know the lamp is a 2-pin, 12 volt bulb...but I can't read the info for the wattage rating.

If someone knows this tidbit of info, would appreciate a response. Thanking you in advance. Carl B.
Life is like a sewer...what you get out of it depends on what you put into it!
I don't walk on water...I just learned where some of the stepping stones are!
I love mankind...it's some of the people I can't stand!
User avatar
ALCOSTEAM
Posts: 762
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2003 9:20 am
Location: illinois

Re: Backyard Rails Info

Post by ALCOSTEAM »

I used to run into Don Phillips on occasion and tried each time to get him to visit us out at the shop given he was only about 10 minutes away. Its been several years since the last time I run into Don at a restaurant and his wife seemed quite displeased of the mention of trains or shop visit.

Do you have any info off the bulb. Even a picture and dimensions might help. There is always the option of going LED as the power consumption is so low.
ccvstmr
Posts: 2230
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 10:37 am
Location: New Lenox, IL

Re: Backyard Rails Info

Post by ccvstmr »

Hello Alcosteam....thanks for responding.

Yes, I am considering changing to LED at this point. A warm white option would be great! Otherwise, a cool white will have to do. Info on the bulb identifies: a 2-pin, GE, "BNB", 12 volt...but the watt rating is missing. The bulb is 2" diameter across the reflector. How's that? Carl B.
Life is like a sewer...what you get out of it depends on what you put into it!
I don't walk on water...I just learned where some of the stepping stones are!
I love mankind...it's some of the people I can't stand!
Bob D.
Posts: 381
Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:43 pm
Location: Saco, ME. USA

Re: Backyard Rails Info

Post by Bob D. »

I think that is a M16 bulb. You can get them in various wattages but I would think a 20 watt warm white would be good. These are a halogen bulb. Amazon has them and I think Home Depot does too.
3/4" Juliet II 0-4-0
3/4" Purinton Mogul "Pogo"
3/4" Hall Class 10 wheeler
3/4" Evans Caribou/Buffalo 2-8-0
3/4" Sweet Violet 0-4-0
3/4" Hunslet 4-6-0
3/4" Kozo A3. Delayed construction project

1 1/2" A5 Camelback 0-4-0
ccvstmr
Posts: 2230
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 10:37 am
Location: New Lenox, IL

Re: Backyard Rails Info

Post by ccvstmr »

Bob...thanks for that heads up.

Alcosteam...meant to write "BAB" not "BNB" for the bulb type.

Carl B.
Life is like a sewer...what you get out of it depends on what you put into it!
I don't walk on water...I just learned where some of the stepping stones are!
I love mankind...it's some of the people I can't stand!
User avatar
Greg_Lewis
Posts: 3014
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2003 2:44 pm
Location: Fresno, CA

Re: Backyard Rails Info

Post by Greg_Lewis »

The BAB is an MR16 bulb with a 20 watt rating and a 35 to 40 degree beam angle:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multifaceted_reflector
https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/ ... Know01.asp

20 watt MR16s are also available with other beam angles.
Greg Lewis, Prop.
Eyeball Engineering — Home of the dull toolbit.
Our motto: "That looks about right."
Celebrating 35 years of turning perfectly good metal into bits of useless scrap.
ccvstmr
Posts: 2230
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 10:37 am
Location: New Lenox, IL

Re: Backyard Rails Info

Post by ccvstmr »

Greg...many thanx! That explains some of the mysteries with the bulb identifiers.

So now, looking to get an MR16 2-pin plug in base, 20 watt, 12 volt lamp with a 2" diameter reflector. A warm white LED light would be preferred over the cool white. Hmmm, wonder if the wattage should be increased because of a possible dimmer light output compared to cool white. Need to examine the lamp specs. Great info. Tx Carl B.
Life is like a sewer...what you get out of it depends on what you put into it!
I don't walk on water...I just learned where some of the stepping stones are!
I love mankind...it's some of the people I can't stand!
User avatar
Greg_Lewis
Posts: 3014
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2003 2:44 pm
Location: Fresno, CA

Re: Backyard Rails Info

Post by Greg_Lewis »

I wired a PWM dimmer onto mine so I can run full bright or dim it like the prototype. On some tracks where there is approaching traffic those little lamps can be blinding, so I dim mine just like you would with car headlights. Full bright is wired to bypass the dimmer and dim goes through it. A double-throw switch does it.
Greg Lewis, Prop.
Eyeball Engineering — Home of the dull toolbit.
Our motto: "That looks about right."
Celebrating 35 years of turning perfectly good metal into bits of useless scrap.
Post Reply