Looking for Mars light casting liked used on NKP Berkshires

Harmon Monk did some.  Check with Stevenson Preservation Models.

Nothing on thier website, I will have to email him.  Just bought a MG NKP Berk and want to update the front end to post 1950 style with the Mars and somehow convert the headlight to twin sealed beam style.   Thanks for the suggestion.  Keep them coming, or if someone has a casting let me know. 

I have one of Harmon's castings and I've been looking to getting more made.  Just not sure where to go.

That I have no clue, if your on facebook, you might join the O scale 2 rail group, many of the guys have moved to that platform instead of the older forums.  I m just hoping to find someone with a single spare casting they will sell.  Dont plan on getting any more Berks.  Next will probably be a US Hobbies GP35 that will have to visit someone to have its dynamic brakes removed to become NKP's lone GP35.  

Mike,

I added one to a MG/USH NKP Berk I fixed up for a buddy but I truly don't remember what it looked like.  If you can provide a photo or somewhere that will show me what you're looking for I might be able to help.

Larry,

Are you talking about copying Harmon's light?  I know numerous folks that produce molds, shoot waxes, and make castings but they kind of shy away from knockoffs.  Does anybody own the rights to his parts, specifically this one?

Jay

Here is a pic of a model 250R.  "R" being the red lense instead of the "W" white or clear lense used by the NKP.  Same style lamp housing though.  

Thanks Mike,  I'll look through my stash but offhand I'd say no.  Actually never saw one with the taper like that.  Does it go above the bell or the other headlight?

Jay

Here is the one that I have on my Lionel Berk.  It was from Harmon's stock.  I believe that Harmon had it copied from an Overland or Key model that Bob2 had.  Maybe he'll chime in as well.

I may have a lead on a few that were in the same batch as the one I purchased and seen above on the 779, if that is of interest to you.

Yes, i would want one of those castings. Do you remember what mounting shelf you used by chance?

The master was taken from a UP boiler front.  Harmon was going to return the master someday.

The problem with copying Harmon's part, aside from sort of stealing someone else's artwork, is that you suffer almost 5% shrinkage each time.

Try Lionel - their small details are now lost-wax, and are quite accurate.  The FEF part looks like the one above.  My Lionel FEF with USH drivers, Harmon side rods, and Lobaugh frame, is more accurate than my stock USH FEF. (Except for the brake hangars).

So Bob,

Any idea who did casting for Harmon or did he do his own?  The reason I ask is, maybe we can find the mold.

Jay

Castings it waxes ?

Ok.  Dave in California did the everything.  Molds, wax and casting.  I may know where a few of these are.  

Dave Braun?

Jay C posted:

Dave Braun?

Yes.

As long as I get ahold of one of them, and a mounting shelf then I am all good.  But it would be nice to see this part added to the parts selection again.  I want to do a USRA light Mikado eventualy, 587 as he was as the very end of her career on the NKP, and she sported a Mars light at that time(got the pics to prove that one)   Mike the Aspie

I dug out my Richmond Controls lighting and Mars circuit, has twin beam main headlight and single beam Mars, so its ready to go in the model.  I think I found a twin beam light insert on P&D hobbies website, so I will get one from Pat at the meet.  Now, as soon as a spare light casting turns up for me to purchase, along with what shelf Larry used on 779.   I will be looking for decals at the meet as well, want to renumber the engine to 765.   Its numbered in the 600 series right now, gonna change that.  

The bracket that the Mars light sits in was the original one that came with the Lionel engine; it was just files off so the new Mars light could be fitted.  If I had to do it again, I'd probably see if Precision Scale had one.

I didn't think the stock Lionel one had the right shape to the housing.  last couple I saw were like the MTH 3 rail Berks and it was just a round headlight casting instead of the tapered body casting like Harmon's is.  I will hold out for now for one of Harmon's castings since the rest of the model is brass.   

I see now, I agree on using the PSC shelf or even one from Cal Scale

I'm pretty sure the Lionel UP FEF has a tapered body...I just think Harmon's looks A LOT closer to the original.

I agree, Harmon's looks spot on.  Only thing that would make it perfect is for it to come with an internal casting of the sealed beam lamp in the gimble that could be drilled for a micro bulb.  I use a ditch light casting and it looks good once done.  A convex lense that fits the casting would be really nice as well to compelte the look.   I will just be happy to be able to purchase one of the castings at this point though.     Mike the Aspie

Still hunting one of these, no luck at the Indy meet.  Might just have to use the whole shelf and lamp off the Lionel boiler front(a bit pricey though).   Mike the Aspie

Anybody have a lead on one of these castings?  Or is up for casting up some.  Finding them seems like a needle in a haystack.  I can find plenty of the twin beam like used on diesels and CB&Q steam, but not the NKP/FEF/Milw Rd style lamp.    

I think I have a phone number Artfull Dodger.  Working on it.

If they still have the KTM master, it belongs on my FEF boiler front.