SUMBEAM HEADLIGHT PROGRESS

[Trainman4602]

Now that the Pyle-National cab lights are completed. I am back working on the re introduction of the Mercer Sunbeam Headlight.

This time around I will include a niffty brass builders plate etching.

I will again offer the headlight in kit form but for an additional fee I will assemble them. I don’t have the final cost on the kit. There are several different parts that the original had that are no longer obtainable. I will have to search out a different supplier for these items.

For now here are the builders plate etchings.

[Gary Armitstead]

Looking forward to purchasing a few. I like the Builders Plates.

[NP317]

Dave:
Looking good! I do like the Builder's Plate detail. An excellent addition.
I hope you also offer a version of that headlight without the side number boards, as I need one of each...
~Russ

[Trainman4602]

I Russ
the side number boards are an option. You simply do not use the castings. The holes in the side of the brass tube are cut buy the customer so just eliminate that operation.

[NP317]

I Russ
the side number boards are an option. You simply do not use the castings. The holes in the side of the brass tube are cut buy the customer so just eliminate that operation.

Excellent! Thanks for that information.
'Looking forward to your kits becoming available.
~Russ

[bobrauper]

Hello Dave,
I still wish to purchase one of your new Sunbeam Headlights. Please add one more sale to your production run...I have one of your original headlights gracing the back of my 8500 gallon tender completed 20 years ago. I'm just now finishing the locomotive. Can't wait to get the new headlight mounted on my Santa Fe 1200 class Pacific!
Thanks for following through with this project!
Bob Rauperstrauch

[JD Johnson]

Dave,

Would you sell me a couple of the Sunbeam plates for my headlights? How much?

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

[Trainman4602]

Hi Bob

Yes I will have the new headlights soon, the masters are underway so it won't be long no I will sell you an extra plaque no problem. Watch for the announcements.


JD Johnson check your messages

[JohnHudak]

Dave, Do you have any plans on marketing a Pennsy style headlight, like the one on your K-4?
Thanks, John

[Trainman4602]

Hi John

No not at this time. I will make the older style large reflector style The common Sunbeam is 16 inches The Pennsy had an 18 inch version. I will use the larger one on the 0-4-0 but for now it will be the regular Sunbeam.

[110HLW]

Hi Dave, please put me on the list for one of your Sunbeam headlights!

Thanks
Corey Adams

[Trainman4602]

OK Corey

You are on it.

This product was one of the most popular items that I sold, selling over 400 unit. I am getting a favorable response so far and it looks like it will do the same this time around.

BTW the Sunbeam head light was Mercer's first product. I first advertised it in 1981 in live steam magazine. The first day it was in I received a call from Lew Soibelman of the Los Angeles Live Steamers. He said that a group of members were make a few Baldwin electrics and he wanted to order a few finished lights. I made 52 finished light. That order alone encouraged me to make more products and Mercer Locomotive was on the way.

As it turned out I started make the Mercer version of the Baldwin Electric. I made 17 of them the last one in 1994. They are all running today. I plan to re introduce it for sale, in fact, I am working on the truck design at present.

The trucks are a stretch out version of the tender trucks used on the 0-4-0 Camelback, I just added the 24v electric motors.