Marston Magna in 3mm
Modelling in 3mm:1ft scale
Coaches
Coach lighting is perfectly possible and very easy with strip LEDs and
Lithium cell batteries.
The strip LEDs can be cut to any length required and the small cell batteries fit very easily into anything from N gauge upwards.
For TT scale, if you have a number of coaches, bulk buying of parts can work out as little as£1.38 per coach, using 10 LEDs per strip. I do not use DCC so the simple control of an on-off switch solves the illumination problem.
The LEDs place very little demand on the long-life CR1220 or DL1220 3v button cell batteries, which also maintain a charge when not used for significant periods of time.
The polarity is marked on the strip and simply wire up to the correct polarity on the battery with the intervening switch inserted into the coachction or through the floor.
There is often a coice of cool white, warm white or amber for colour tint.
Layouts4u supply kits aimed at N, 00 and 0.
The circuit is very simple and easily achieved. The multiple soldering points on the LED strip allow cutting to any desired length.
This particular design of switch enables you to superglue it behind the battery box and it leaves the contact strips easily accessible for soldering the leads onto it.
Switches may be bought from:
The label on the right is generated from the stock database which is held on a spreadsheet and there is a photo of each item to match. Handy for insurance purposes.
3v dc battery operated LED strips may be bought from:
DCC
Corridor Connections
The shape of the connection moulded onto the coach should be followed precisely.
You can either draw the outline onto black cartridge paper using a pencil and cut around the image, or print any number you like onto an A4 sheet of white card, cut around fold and assemble - spraying black when complete and before fixing to the coach.
The shape of the connection moulded onto the coach should be followed precisely.
You can either draw the outline onto black cartridge paper using a pencil and cut around the image, or print any number you like onto an A4 sheet of white card, cut around fold and assemble - spraying black when complete and before fixing to the coach.
Cut out each item and fold over into one outline.
Cut the slot as indicated by the dotted line - one from the top half-way down and one from the bottom, half way up. These two sections then interleave and form the concertina formation of the connection. Three panels will be about right when folded and compressed as this will take up the space generated by two coaches coupled together using Tri-ang Anita 'D' couplings. Glue the two end leaves of each end together.
Pull the folded item gently open and spray all over black and allow to dry.
Glue one end of the unit to the fixed corridor moulding on the coach and allow to set. Compress slightly to regain compression of folds.
The top does remain open but if you want to rectify that it's your choice - it isn't very noticeable when sprayed black and in place on the coach.
In the photo above of the Pullman Coach, the name of the Pullman Service, 'Marston Venturer', is affixed to the face of the connection, printing the logo on a self-adhesive white label.
Job done.
Liveries
The following coaches are all in the development stage, requiring some degree or other of amendment o the artwork, etc., but progress is much easier with this methodology. You can design exactly what you want.
