Sealed Beam Headlight Behind Bezel

The problem is the headlight lenses.  If you notice there is a second ring that all manufacturers seem to use that helps hold the headlight in, after being pressed into the headlight housing.

The Lionel Santa Fe F7 from a few years back had dual headlamps in the proper location on the nose door.  I didn't notice it for a couple of years because of the headlight lens.  In fact, the way it caught my attention was, I either opened the nose door or pulled off the body shell to work on it and then noticed the two LEDs.

As you can see, it isn't noticeable.

Here is another picture with a different lens.

You can tell there are two lights in the nose door because I replaced the lens, but the lens is not flat it is convex.  It needs to be flat to really get the benefit of the dual lights.

The upper light also has two lights, replicating a mars light and a red warning light.  Those are easier to see because the have different colors.  The upper light would greatly benefit from a bezel and clear flat lens.

I have figured out how to do this and make it look good.

Here is the prototype.

I have successfully gone as far as the housing that the sealed beams sit in with very little effort.  THE problem is the lens.  I need to come up with a way to make a clear flat lenses.  I haven't posted the solution yet because I haven't developed a way to produce the lens.

There is a thread I started in the 2 rail section looking for clear headlight lenses.  You might look at that any you can see what I've come up with. 

I actually have a way to do the lenses but haven't had the time to work on it.

And yes it is about time some manufacturer has gone to the trouble of better front lighting in cab units.  Atlas would be the prime candidate, but 3rd Rail has done all the work except for dual LEDs and a bezel.  The E7 I recently received has flat clear lenses, and a headlight housing easily capable of having a bezel and twin LEDs.  If Scott would get enough requests, I would think he might see if it was able to be produced.  The others might then come along.

All that said, after reading the new Pennsy boxcar banter in the 3 rail section, with people praising an inaccurate boxcar, I wonder.  However they would buy anything so something accurate might be all the better. 

You were ahead of me on this, Marker.  I should have looked up the road and seen your dust.

That thread was very interesting.  I am sure that I have seen HO engines -- the more upscale F7's -- with factory made dual sealed beam housings that look like they're behind glass.  They must have a less complicated way of doing it.  

I think a detailed Pyle or Mars headlight plate with all the details could be cast in reverse into the rear of the headlight lens and painted flat aluminum except where the sealed beams would be.  The twin sealed beam Mars oscillating headlight is not so easy, and probably would require a casting behind a lens.

Atlas is slowly working its way from F2's and maybe late F3's will be next.  I do not know of a prototype application of sealed beam headlights on F7's or E8's before August, 1949.  So, if Atlas continues its progression it could be a couple of years until they produce an F7.

But, MTH, Lionel . . . are you listening?

well, i should folks on the 2rail site how to make them out of glass.  check here for thread "A Source for Headlight Lenses".

sorry folks...the word is showed not should.