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Lighting Effects for the Railroad

 

 

 

 

To achieve the the greatest degree of realism, many modeling projects desire lighting effects that go well beyond simple static lighting. Many require effects that are quite dynamic, producing animated behavior to mimic a wide variety of devices.

Below are our products specifically designed for LEDs that we've developed to support a wide range of dynamic lighting effects. We hope you find them innovative.

Due to the wide variety of modeling scales, LEDs for use with these products are sold separately and can be found by clicking on the Lighting Products link at the left side of this page.

 

 

 

The NK8033-12 has the N8033 simulator mounted on a N8103A Super Booster board & includes a  N1078 T-10 300 lumen (600,000 mcd) Incandescent LED. It is configured for 12-volt DC operation.
The N8031C version is for a Marslight with red LED. The NLD8110-03 version is for a simultaneous dual-Marslight output on a single low-voltage simulator board. The NK8031-12 has the N8031 simulator mounted on a N8103A Super Booster board & includes a  N1078 T-10 300 lumen (600,000 mcd) Incandescent LED. It is configured for 12-volt DC operation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The NK8032 Beacon Kit is pre-wired with either a Nano Yellow or Red LED. The LED is end-wired for the smallest profile. Please specify LED color in Special Order Instructions when placing the online order. The NK8032A Kit is for either White or Blue LED (specify when ordering).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The N8039 is configured for connection of two (2)  20 ma green LEDs (wired in series) with device voltages of 2.2 VDC. (Ngineering’s N1014 Micro & N1034 Nano LEDs). The NLA8039 supports the newer 3.3 VDC (N1017 & N1037) Signal Green LEDs

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Info N8042C
Which Sim is best for me?
Connecting N8042C
Connecting NLA/D8042C
LED Construction
Video of effect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item# Cart Price
N8046

$13.95

NLA8046
$14.95
NLD8046
$14.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Custom Lighting Effect Simulators

Do you need a special lighting effect that that no one produces or have a unique prototype requirement? We may be able to help. The N8050 will support 1 LED output, the N8051, 2 LED outputs, and the N8052 will support 3 LED outputs. For an additional programming charge (quoted separately), we will program the appropriate simulator to create your effect. Just email or call us with your requirements. We will review them, determine if they are within the capabilities of our simulator, and if so, respond with our quotation. Delivery can be within 2 weeks and our quote will be reasonable.

Item# Cart Price
N8050

$12.95

NLA8050
$13.95
NLD8050
$13.95
N8051

$13.95

NLA8051
$14.95
NLD8051
$14.95
N8052

$14.95

NLA8052
$15.95
NLD8052
$15.95
Programming Charge:
After approval and response to our quotation, add appropriate item(s) to the shopping cart, then enter the agreed-upon programming charge and add it to the shopping cart. Once we receive your order, we will begin processing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Connecting under More Info to the right, for product details. The N8046B-2 is programmed with a start feature to run with the N8X0X-092 Gas Welder sound effect. NK8064 & NK8064B are Arc & Gas Welder Kits completely wired with LEDs.

Fusee (trackside flare) Simulator

The N8070 is designed to simulate the shimmering light of a trackside flare (fusee) for either 2 series-wired LEDs or a single LED.  Additionally, at power-on several short bursts of light occur followed by a brief pause to give the appearance of igniting the flares. This ignition sequence only occurs at startup and can be disabled entirely by connecting the input control to –DC.

Defective Sign/Light Simulator

The N8069 is a 3-output simulator that reproduces the effect of a flickering or defective light on its first output channel, with the remaining 2 channels being on continuously. This allows connected LEDs to be strategically placed in model signs to display this effect dramatically. It can also be used in building, streetlights, or railroad passenger cars for the same effect. How about creative placement in a back-lit building sign for a humorous effect.

More Info
Connecting
Video coming soon
More Info
Connecting
Video coming soon
More Info
Connecting
Video coming soon

Note: The "standard" N8064B Gas Welder Simulator requires reprogramming to function properly with the -092 sound effect module.

 

 

 

 

Simulator Super Boosters
Simulator Booster Boards
Marslight & Super-Marslight Simulators

The Marslight modules (N8031/A) produce a highly realistic Mars effect which is very eye-catching. Output intensity varies from dim to full-bright through a triple-pulse timed to imitate side (reflective) shine as well as frontal shine of the oscillating Mars pattern. The N8031A version is configured with an additional output for an optional headlight. See Connecting in More Info to the right. The N8031B Super-Marslight Simulator provides output for 3 LEDs to create the visual effect of an actual moving Marslight. See video of effects in More Info.

Item# Cart Price
N8075

$14.95

Item# Cart Price
N8070

$13.95

Item# Cart Price
N8069

$14.95

 

Beacon Simulator

This simulator provides a single repeating burst, increasing and decreasing in intensity to accurately represent roof beacons like those made by Prime and Federal used by most railroads. The N8032 supports either yellow or red 20ma LEDs. The N8032A is for white or blue LEDs. The N8032B is configurable for 2 different speeds.

 

 
Item# Cart Price
N8031
$12.95
NLA8031
$13.95
NLD8031
$13.95
N8031A
$13.95
NLA8031A
$14.95
NLD8031A
$14.95
N8031B
$14.95
NLA8031B
$15.95
NLD8031B
$15.95
N8031C
$12.95
NLD8110-03
$24.95
NK8031
$24.95
NK8031-12
$32.95

Very high current output boost plus added control solder points

Boosts Simulator current output

 

 

This is the big brother of our Simulator Booster Boards. It is exactly the same size (0.8" x 1.50") as our N8103 product above, but has a much larger final-stage power transistor for the output. This allows a much wider range of control of many of our newer products like multiple sound modules or much larger groups of LEDs. It also allows driving much higher current LEDs for special lighting situations
The tiny size of our Miniature Simulator modules above make them extremely versatile for all modeling scales. However, this size also limits output driving capability to 25mA at 5-volts DC per output channel. This is sufficient to support a very wide range of lighting effects.

 

Item# Cart Price
N8032
$12.95
NK8032
$28.95
NLA8032
$13.95
NLD8032
$13.95
N8032A
$12.95
NK8032A
$29.95
N8032B
$13.95
NLA8032A
$13.95
NLA8032B
$14.25
NLD8032A
$13.95
NLD8032B
$14.25

Gyralight Simulator

This module generates a varying (bell curve like) intensity to accurately represent Gyralight motion, and is configured for white, incandescent, or yellow-white LEDs. The B version is configured with an additional output for an optional headlight. The N8033A version is configured specifically for red LEDs. See wiring details in More Info to the right. The NK8033 is a Gyralight kit with a prewired N1022C LED.

 

Utility Vehicle Flasher Simulator

The N8075 is designed to generate lighting effects for either 2 pairs of series-wired LEDs or two individual LEDs. It will simulate the alternating strobe lights seen on many city vehicles. If a single LED is used, it will simulate the strobe beacons seen on many smaller utility vehicles such as a forklift.

As with the N8103 Booster Boards above, these Super Boosters come in 3 flavors: N8103A-1 to support a single output Simulator, N8103A-2 for 2 output Simulators, and N8103A-3 for 3-output Simulators. A Simulator is easily be piggybacked on a Booster Board (connecting wire included) and share a common power input for both.

Our Simulator boards can also be programmed to perform as timer modules to turn on and off outputs in timing ranges from seconds (or even milli-seconds) to hours. When coupled with these Super Boosters a vary wide range of control and automation can be performed.

Standard voltage operating range for the Super Booster Board is 6 to 18 volts DC. This voltage range is determined by the on-board voltage regulator mounted on our Simulator boards.
However, there are many modeling situations where a particular lighting effect may be desirable if it can be reproduced on many LEDs (series or parallel groups) or LEDs that exceed the 25mA or 5-volts DC. This is where our Booster Boards shine (forgive the pun). At just 0.8" x 1.50", these small boards increase a simulator's output up to times a Simulator's output and a DC voltage range of  9-18 VDC. This greatly expands the versatility of many of our Simulator products, especially where LEDs can be wired in series groups!

The Boosters come in 3 flavors: N8103-1 to support a single output Simulator (i.e., N8032 Beacon), N8103-2 for 2 output Simulators (i.e., N8038 Early-era Alternating Flasher), and N8103-3 for 3-output Simulators (i.e., N8043 Universal Strobe). A Simulator is easily be piggybacked on a Booster Board (connecting wire included) and share a common power input for both..

 

 

 

 

Item# Cart Price
N8034
$13.95
NLA8034
$14.95
NLD8034
$14.95
Item# Cart Price
N8033
$12.95
NLA8033
$13.95
NLD8033
$13.95
N8033A

$12.95

NLA8033A
$13.95
NLD8033A
$13.95
N8033B
$13.95
NLA8033B
$14.95
NLD8033B
$14.95
NK8033
$24.95
NK8033-12
$32.95

Ditchlight Simulator

Provides output for two LEDs, both on, then switches to alternating with realistic ramping of intensity when input is momentarily grounded (or activated by DCC function control). Re-grounding input returns LEDs to both on. Extra limiting resistors included.

 

Early-era Flasher Simulator

This simulator replicates the older-style signal and hazard warning flashers that used incandescent (filament) lamps to generate light. Typical flash rate of 3/4 second with a increasing and decreasing brightness curve to duplicate that of filament type lamps. Three outputs will each drive up to one pair (wired in  series) of red and/or yellow LEDs Outputs flash sequentially so the module could also drive a very short series of "chase" lights.

 

 

 

 

 

Item# Cart Price
N8038
$13.95
NLA8038
$14.95
NLD8038
$14.95
N8041
$13.95
N8041A
$13.95
Item# Cart Price
N8037
$13.25
NLA8037
$14.95
NLD8037
$14.95

Early-era  & Modern-era Alternating Flasher Simulators

The 8038 series modules reproduce alternating flashes (with increasing and decreasing brightness curves) as seen in the older incandescent lamp driven type crossbucks used at grade crossings. The 8041 series simulate modern-era LED driven devices. All will drive up to two pairs of series-wired red LEDs without additional external circuitry. The N8041A will drive up to three pairs of series wired LEDs which alternate sequentially.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item# Cart Price
N8042

$12.95

NLA8042
$13.95
NLD8042
$13.95
N8042C
$13.95
NLA8042C
$14.95
NLD8042C
$14.95
More Info
Connecting N8039
Connecting NLA8039
Operating
Video coming soon
Item# Cart Price
N8039
$14.95
NLA8039
$15.95

FRED (EOT)Simulator

The first use of a FRED, or Flashing Rear End Device, is attributed to Florida East Coast Railway in 1973. Soon thereafter other Class 1 Railroads began using them as an alternative to the much-more-costly caboose. By the 1980's their use was widespread. Our module produces a flash rate and duration that replicates the prototype. See Connecting in the More Info table for a detailed explanation. For those using a battery as a power source, try our N8040A super-low current version. If you use a 1.75-2.0 volt, 20ma LED, the whole circuit draws only 3ma!

Steam Locomotive Class(isfication) Light Simulator

In typical applications, the forward-facing class lights on steam locomotives were used in three ways: For a scheduled train they would be dark, unless a second section was following, then they would be green. Trains running as extras were lighted white. This simulator allows all three conditions to be easily controlled using only one input. See Operating in the More Info table for a detailed explanation.

Item# Cart Price
N8040

$12.95

NLA8040
$13.95
NLD8040
$13.95
N8040A

$12.95

NLA8040A
$13.95
NLD8040A
$13.95

Rotating Beacon Simulators

These modules are designed to reproduce a highly realistic simulation of rotating beacons by sequencing LEDs (sold separately) that are positioned to produce the effect. See the More Info table to the right for complete information. The N8042 is for a 3-LED assembly that replicates typical beacons used by such roads as SP, WP, BN, and BNSF. The N8042C is for a 4-LED assembly that simulates the "gumball" type of rotating beacon. Both modules will support either yellow or red 20ma LEDs.

 

 

 

 

 

Item# Cart Price
N8043

$13.95

NLA8043
$14.95
NLD8043
$14.95

Universal Strobe Simulator

This simulator will support strobe effects for a wide range of locomotives, emergency vehicles and traffic situations. The strobe pulse is a short 70ms burst occurring either once per second on all three outputs simultaneously, or when the simulator input is grounded, on two outputs together and one output separately, alternating at one-half second intervals .  See Examples of use in the More Info table to the right.

 

 

 

Item# Cart Price
N8045

$13.95

 

Flash Camera Simulator

To be a railfan (railway enthusiast) is to enjoy taking pictures of trains and railroad related scenes. Many modelers use scale people trackside to enhance their dioramas and layouts. This simulator will generate a flash camera effect when wired to a white LED. It produces 2 short burst pulses 2 seconds apart when the input is grounded, then delays 20 seconds before allowing the input to be retriggered. Input could be triggered by a passing train.

 

 

Super Flashers

 

 

© 2022 Ngineering

Furnace / Forge / Sawdust Burner Simulator

This module generates a slow, random undulating brightness output for either a single LED, or 2 series-wired yellow LEDs. The effect replicates the heat source glow seen in furnaces and wigwam (sawdust) burners. It can also be used to create a realistic firebox glow that would be seen in the cab of a steam locomotive or coming from a trackside steam skidder or donkey engine's boiler.

 

AUTOMATIC CURRENT PROTECTION!

At just 3/4" square, this product series includes a state-of-the-art current source which provides a constant 20 ma for LEDs connected to the module. This means any color 20 ma LED can be connected without the need for external current limiting resistors, multiple LEDs can be connected in series (requires a power source of sufficient voltage) and different colors of LEDs can be combined in the same series. All will operate at 20 ma.

For certain applications it may be desirable to have the LED (or series string) connected to operate at less than full brightness. For this purpose, solder pads are included on the back of the module for placement of resistors to adjust of current source output.

Input voltage range 6-16 VDC. Extra power wires included.

More Info
Connecting
More Info
Connecting
Item# Cart Price
N8103-1

$12.95

N8103-2

$14.95

N8103-3

$16.95

Item# Cart Price
N8103A-1

$14.95

N8103A-2

$16.95

N8103A-3

$18.95

Alternating Flasher

This module creates an alternating flash between a pair (or pairs) of LEDs of approximately 3/4 of a second and 50% duty cycle. This is a typical sequence for standard modern-day grade crossings. This product supports "common anode" devices, see More Info for details.

This module is also included in a Crossing Signal Detection & Driver Board sold by Royz Trains. Go here: Royz Trains for more information.

Item# Cart Price
N8047

$13.95

NLA8047
$14.95
NLD8047
$14.95
L8047

$14.95

NK8047

$30.95

NK8047-2

$30.95

Campfire / Fireplace Simulator

This simulator produces a random varying change in output intensity for either a single LED, or 2 series-wired LEDs that realistically mimics the crackling fire in a fireplace or of a campfire. Perfect for a trackside hobo camp or pile of debris in a yard cleanup operation. If used with our Nano LEDs even the smallest scale scene can enjoy the realism of this effect. This effect can also be used to produce the firebox flicker of a steam locomotive. The L8047 includes a latching function that is configured to work with our N83XX-084 or N85XX-084 Campfire sound effect.

Variable-rate Flasher

Produces a flash with a 50% duty cycle (equal on and off times). Rate of flash is adjustable from 30 flashes per second (33 ms) to one flash every 3 seconds. This adjustment is made by rotating the slotted center of a variable resistor (bottom right corner of flasher).

Item# Cart Price
N8013
$13.65
More Info
Connecting Arc
Connecting Gas
Connect N8064B-2
NK8064/B info
Video of effect

Catenary Spark Simulator

We have all watched electric locomotives, traction vehicles or trolleys as they move along the rails and have seen the sparks created by the pickups (pantographs or spring-loaded poles) as they travel along the overhead (catenary) wires. This simulator is designed to reproduce those intermittent sparks of varying intensity for either two outputs (for dual pantograph applications) or a single output, for one pickup like many early-era trolleys had. The tiny size of our Nano white LEDs are perfect for this application.

Item# Cart Price
N8014
$15.25

Variable-rate Alternating Flasher

This module creates an alternating flash between a pair (or pairs) of LEDs with a 50% duty cycle (equal on and off times). Rate of flash is adjustable from 30 flashes per second (33 ms) to one flash every 3 seconds. This adjustment is made by rotating the slotted center of a variable resistor (bottom right corner of flasher). This product supports "common anode" devices, see More Info for details.

Item# Cart Price
N8064

$13.95

NK8064

$33.95

N8064B
$13.95
N8064B-2
$14.95
NK8064B

$33.95

Arc & Gas Welder Simulators

Finally, welding simulation that looks just like the real thing! A bit of shameless back-patting, but we believe it is warranted. These simulators are configured for connection of two LEDs to accurately reproduce the varying intensity, intermittence and slight color changes just like real welders. Our Nano LEDs are perfect for reproducing these effects. N8064 is the arc welder and N8064B is the gas welder.

Item# Cart Price
N8015
$15.95
Item# Cart Price
N8063

$13.95

NLA8063
$14.95
NLD8063
$14.95