Things You'll Need
Instructions
Remove the shell from the HO scale locomotive. First consult any instructions that accompanied the model. Otherwise, most shells are released by applying two slight opposing tugs lengthwise, and letting the chassis gently drop to a table or workbench surface. Place the chassis to the side.
Choose a location for the beacon. Decide where you want to place the rotary beacon detail part and mark its location.
Drill holes within the circumference of the future beacon location. Use the pin vise and a drill bit to place holes completely through the shell. The drill bit should be only slightly larger in diameter than the fishing line or other light carrying medium to be used. Space each hole evenly by degrees of separation and distance in from the outer edge of where the beacon detail part will be located.
Prepare beacon for mounting. If the rotary beacon detail part has a mounting pin, use a hobby knife or small file to trim away that piece. The beacon needs a flat bottom surface.
Mount the rotary beacon. Use hobby cement to secure it in place. After the cement has cured, use the same pin vise and drill bit to drill from previously to carry up the holes in the roof underneath the beacon, so that they are just deep enough for the light carrying medium to barely mate with the translucent lens material during the final steps.
Solder the wires from the flasher circuit board to the electrical contacts. Follow any directions that may have been included with your flashing light circuit regarding this procedure. The most convenient electrical contacts to use for an HO scale locomotive are usually on the motor.
Cut the light carrying medium to the proper lengths. Use a hobby knife to cut each strand to length. They have to be long enough to reach the rooftop-mounted beacon while carrying light from the LEDs on the flasher circuit. Also, leave plenty of length for future needs to remove the shell for other servicing.
Insert a light carrying strand into each of the LEDs. Use the pin vise and drill bit from previous steps to create a shallow hole in each LED, much in the same manner as the beacon detail part. Insert one end of one light-carrying medium into the hole just created and seal it with hobby cement. Also, slide a length of shrink tubing over the LED that is just slightly longer than it, and hold the soldering iron in close proximity to shrink it in place. Repeat this process for the remaining LEDs.
Insert each light-carrying medium into the rotating beacon detail part. Push the remaining end of each strand into the shallow hole created previously and secure it with hobby cement. Keep these in the order of the flash pattern so that the rotary beacon effect will appear realistic.
Replace the locomotive shell. Your HO scale locomotive now has a simulated rotating beacon that is ready to use.