Adding an Express Models Lighting kit to a Hornby HST
with a Bahn Conversions Chassis.

 

Here are a few pictures of how I added an Express Models lighting kit to my Hornby HST power and dummy cars. I had previously had a Bahn Conversions chassis added to the power car, (pictures and contact details here), as can be seen in the pictures below. This chassis really is a fine piece of engineering and runs exceedingly well, I can wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who wants their HST to run like a dream!

(Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures.)

Here are the basics with which I started. A Hornby HST (with a converted Bahn Chassis), one half of the Express Models Lighting Kit and a Lenz 1025E DCC decoder. (The NEM socket was removed for this loco as it has no socket, and was hard-wired in.)
 

 

  
After taking all of the body and chassis to pieces, the first thing to do is to nip the fixing pins flush with the back of the lens cover moulding. Care is needed here as the plastic is very brittle. This will be held in place with a drop of superglue when it is replaced.
 

 

  
A couple of holes need to be drilled to accommodate the red LED's and the existing holes enlarged for the white LED's. Again care is needed at this stage to ensure a snug fit and that the lights are properly positioned.
 

 

  
Finally all the bits are in place. I added a few bits of insulating tape to make sure the wires are secure and do not snag as the body is reapplied to the chassis. I also made up a small plug and socket for the lighting circuit to allow the body to be detached from the chassis more easily.
 

 

  
This is what we end up with. The lighting kit is in place and the Lenz decoder has been added and wired into the chassis. The extra wires for the decoder have been removed temporarily. This is much neater than most of my installations!
 

 

  
Here is the same again, this time applied to the dummy car. Here I have used a Lenz 100XF Function Decoder to run the lights. The same installation applies here as with the power car.
 

 

  
Lights, Camera... but no action! Maybe not as visually striking as some of the other Express Models kits that I have in my other locos, but well worth the effort and easy to install.

 

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Last updated on: Saturday, 15 March 2003 18:56:09.