Bachmann Tram - changing lights to LED

[GriffsGrandad]

Slowly plodding my way through all the interesting posts on here, but so far I've not found what I need so I'm hoping for a little help please...

I'm doing a very crude conversion to battery power with control over wi-fi to an ESP32 in the tram. Everything is going in a trailer wagon for now.

How would I get to the directional bulbs in order to change them to LEDs, so that they can be switched on & off at will via a low power signal from the ESP32?

Is it feasible/easy to convert the interior lights too or are they too fiddly?

Many thanks.

Les

 

[Madman]

The headlights on the Bachmann trams are almost impossible to change without destroying the tram. I'm sure you noticed the raceway under the tram for the wiring to those lights. How those Chinese workers get everything in there is beyond my comprehension. Not only are the very fine wires tucked into the zig-zag raceway, but once you are able to pry the thin plastic cover off the bottom of that raceway, the wires are still glued in place.

All in all I still love the Bachmann trams for their fine and accurate detailing.

One more thing to consider, if you haven't already, swap out the Bachmann motor block for a USA Trains NW2 motor block. It's a fairly simple swap and the spacing of the axles is almost identical to the Bachmann axle spacing.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Dafyddeldy is your man - I think he's done similar things

 

[GriffsGrandad]

The headlights on the Bachmann trams are almost impossible to change without destroying the tram. I'm sure you noticed the raceway under the tram for the wiring to those lights. How those Chinese workers get everything in there is beyond my comprehension. Not only are the very fine wires tucked into the zig-zag raceway, but once you are able to pry the thin plastic cover off the bottom of that raceway, the wires are still glued in place.

All in all I still love the Bachmann trams for their fine and accurate detailing.

One more thing to consider, if you haven't already, swap out the Bachmann motor block for a USA Trains NW2 motor block. It's a fairly simple swap and the spacing of the axles is almost identical to the Bachmann axle spacing.

Thanks, Dan.

I suppose I could just run new wires from the ESP32 chip directly to the light housings, but I can't see an easy way to get into the front & rear housings. Any suggestions, please?

I've seen quite a few comments about the USATrains block, but don't know if they are easily available in the UK. So far, I've not had any motor problems with either of the trams I have - fingers crossed.

 

[GriffsGrandad]

Dafyddeldy is your man - I think he's done similar things

Thanks. I've just tried a PM to him.

 

[dunnyrail]

Thanks, Dan.

I suppose I could just run new wires from the ESP32 chip directly to the light housings, but I can't see an easy way to get into the front & rear housings. Any suggestions, please?

I've seen quite a few comments about the USATrains block, but don't know if they are easily available in the UK. So far, I've not had any motor problems with either of the trams I have - fingers crossed.

Garden Railway Specialists sell them.

REPLACEMENT MOTOR TRUCK GP7/9/30/38 & F3 | Garden Railway Specialists Tel:01844 345158

www.grsuk.com

 

[GriffsGrandad]

Garden Railway Specialists sell them.

REPLACEMENT MOTOR TRUCK GP7/9/30/38 & F3 | Garden Railway Specialists Tel:01844 345158

www.grsuk.com

Thanks again! I'll keep the link but keep my fingers crossed that I won't need it - £84 is about what I paid for the whole tram!

 

[Greg Elmassian]

The NW2 block has the better axle spacing to match your tram, the other USAT truck mentioned is not as close and won't look right.

 

[GriffsGrandad]

The NW2 block has the better axle spacing to match your tram, the other USAT truck mentioned is not as close and won't look right.

Thanks, Greg. I've learnt a great deal from your website and various postings over the years.

 

[JimmyB]

The link below is to my blog, which details amongst other things changing the lights to LED, 3mm LEDs will fit nicely in the original fitting:

Bachmann Tram Battery Conversion

In June 2021 I attended the National Garden Railway Show in Peterborough, and as an impulse buy, I bought a Bachmann Tram, no box and ...

tumble-down-falls.blogspot.com

 

[GriffsGrandad]

The link below is to my blog, which details amongst other things changing the lights to LED, 3mm LEDs will fit nicely in the original fitting:

Bachmann Tram Battery Conversion

In June 2021 I attended the National Garden Railway Show in Peterborough, and as an impulse buy, I bought a Bachmann Tram, no box and ...

tumble-down-falls.blogspot.com

Thanks, Jimmy.

 

[GriffsGrandad]

Thanks, Jimmy.

I’ve had great advice from several forum members now, giving me enough to get on - and maybe attempt even more than my original task.

So thanks, all!