n scale
model railroads of michigan
n&w caboose marker light - atlas regular cupola w/roofwalk
This is the second of several different how-to articles with detailed photos and instructions for installing marker lights in a variety of N Scale cabooses.
​​​
These projects all started with the discovery of Layouts4U, a great model railroad supplier in England, offering complete caboose lighting kits at very reasonable prices. I highly recommend their products and service.
​
I opted for their magnetic latching reed switches with onboard battery (top left), which allow for simple installation and easy on-off activation with a magnetic wand. Disassemble the Atlas caboose by removing the end railings/ladders and separating the body from the chassis, then remove the window glazing from each side and the roof walk from the short portion of the roof. (top right).
Trim and replace the interior window glazing to allow for the width of the battery holder and drill a small hole in the top of the wall/roofline at the end of the car body (top right). Make mounting brackets for the reed switch by drilling a hole in a small styrene tab (x2) and thread the ends of the reed switch through the styrene tabs before soldering the lead wires. Then use CA to attach the reed switch to the underside of the roof. Mount the battery holder to the chassis and cut a small notch in the top of the end railing to allow the LED to tuck up in between the roofwalk brackets.
​
Reassemble and enjoy your handiwork!
Lighting kits from Layouts4U see link in article text at left
See reed switch mounting tabs at bottom of picture
ADDITIONAL INSTALLATION NOTES: Remove end railings and ladders by gently releasing two pins at top and three pins at the bottom. Remove roofwalk by prying straight up. Drill hole through top of end wall and cement LED at center of roof ridge at outside edge of short roof extension. Trim window glazing to allow for battery placement. Attach reed switch to underside of roof with CA, using the styrene brackets shown in top right picture. Affix LED and wires to underside of roof with epoxy. Trim a small notch at the top of the end railing to allow space for the LED to tuck under roofwalk bracket. Add a styrene insulating strip to the chassis weight and cement the battery holder in place. Reassemble the caboose and pass a magnetic wand over the roof to turn the marker light on and off.
