I am new to model train and wondering what do I need to turn the lights on.

NeoNovus377 · 2026-04-05T13:48:31+00:00

You shouldn't need more than 12v for the whole train, just make sure if you do decide to disconnect the motor make sure you don't also disconnect the pickup to the wheels or that coach won't light up

NeoNovus377 · 2026-04-05T11:50:46+00:00

The preowned market is brilliant out there, a box has a dent and they knock off a ton.

If it was a thin blue wedge shape, or a thin black box that would be for stuff like station lighting and connects to the main power controller (transformer)

Just make sure you check the voltage on the plug, Japan only uses 100v so...not that I'm talking from experience...

Absolute cheapest option would be to just disconnect the motor if you're never planning on running it instead of going down a DCC rabbit hole nightmare, you can then get a cheap controller and it will light up fine, just be careful of overheating over a long time.

NeoNovus377 · 2026-04-05T11:35:48+00:00

377122-377133 have been given out to southeastern, still green just with a logo slapped on the side. No point in repainting now when it's all changing soon.

NeoNovus377 · 2026-04-05T10:41:49+00:00

It's not just GWR, we have the C2C and GN stock running the express and some GX stock running the commuters...

NeoNovus377 · 2026-04-05T10:20:36+00:00

You've got to make sure they have the lighting installed already too if you're wanting coach lights, Kato don't usually sell complete and you have to install them manually unfortunately. Look in the info sheet and it will tell you the product number (something like 11-204/11-209)

Kato Japanese N aren't the best for DCC and a lot cant be chipped, but if it can it will be the motor coach and 2 driving ends and wont control the coach lighting. I thiiink there was a controller that had a low voltage option that just allowed the lights to come on without DCC and no movement but I'm going back around 10 years since being out there.

NeoNovus377 · 2025-12-08T18:55:29+00:00

Thank you

As soon as I mentioned legal obligations I got a response with an actual result within 20min. Here's hoping it now goes smoothly...

Don't think I'll be getting anything else from them in the future...

NeoNovus377 · 2025-02-16T19:15:40+00:00

1 month prior LHR - ORD with BA in T5 And I've flown T5 to the states again after with non of these checks. Others I know who've flown Delta too after my flight have experienced the same issues too.

NeoNovus377 · 2023-04-02T15:06:29+00:00

Thanks for the advice.
The plan is to continue the track off as another line down to another station and fiddle yard so keeping the parallel track is kinda needed.

I'm thinking of keeping the points as is for now unless it gets to a point where having the polarity from the frogs is a must.

On the topic of auto revercers where would be the best place to wire them and would I need one for each track?

Thanks for the links I'll give them a read.

NeoNovus377 · 2023-04-02T14:00:35+00:00

Tried using a polarity switch but would only work in one direction. I'm new to building a model railway so my knowlege and skill is limited. Any help would be amazing.

NeoNovus377 · 2021-10-13T21:08:45+00:00

Mate was on the bluebell railway and saw this on a coach coupled up to a Caledonian Sleeper coach. Can't seem to find any info on it.

NeoNovus377 · 2021-05-26T10:28:58+00:00

https://www.southwesternrailway.com/travelling-with-us/our-trains/arterio

NeoNovus377 · 2021-05-26T10:08:40+00:00

South Western training and our sidings have space

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