Switchable rear lights at little expense

[Jimbo1707820979]

This is really a sequel to my post about rear lights for under £2. A bit more refined, I hope, and the usual disclaimers !  Mainly for fun - serious modellers and rivet -counters please look away. 😛

Using a GWR and a Caledonian 4-wheeler I got to work as follows:

1. Separate body. Very easy, as held on only by 2 lugs at each end which can be levered away using small screwdrivers. Discard weight which is only lightly glued on to chassis.

2. Cut out most of the body floor then cut out a small rectangle from the chassis to enable fitting of miniature switch (10 for 99p ex China). Hole needs to be precisely measured.

3. Drill small hole (LED-nose size) in end of coach. Not too big, so that LED can be a press fit later.

4. Solder connections of components - coin cell battery-holder at front, then switch (which must be inserted before soldering) then LED. For greater battery life use a 200 A resistor on positive leg of LED, as recommended by our experts. Without the resistor the set-up will still give over 60-70 hours use, however.

5. Blank off rear windows of coach for more realistic look. NOTE : I used bits from a pizza carton for the GWR coach. Right colour, no cheese. 😆/media/tinymce_upload/e6fe7c9837b341e6f7691d2d3293b3bf.jpg

6. Fasten components in place and replace body.

The small size of the 4-wheelers made the job a bit fiddly so I am planning to convert an 8-wheel coach next, probably an LNER teak 3rd/brake.

I hope some members will enjoy this post and the attached photos. Maybe even elect to do a similar job./media/tinymce_upload/6697ab81335a18ae1324f4949e058ed5.jpg

[Bulver]

That's a neat way to fit a light, Jimbo, no doubt the principle can be utilised for interior lighting also.  I recently purchased some BR(ER) coaches, and the brake on that had a tail? light fitted.  Problem was, the batteries had corroded in their holder, and the soldering had been attacked by the acid, and as I attempted to rectify it, everything fell apart.  So, your method gives me an idea to re-fit the light ( otherwise there is a gaping hole in the carriage end where the switch was fitted!)

Rod

[Jimbo1707820979]

Thanks, Bulver. Glad to be of service.

[96RAF]

@JJ

Jobs a gud'n.

✅ ✅ ✅

Rob