International Society of Large Scale Model Railroaders

Light a Bachmann Caboose

There are some fairly inexpensive Bachmann Caboose available. The small 2 Axle versions that come in the Porter Mining set and Lumber set are 2 examples.  It is easy to have these use track power to light them or a small battery set up.  I choose to use the LGB ball bearing wheels.  These are extremely well made and I have had a pair on my 2 Axle caboose for about 2 years now [and left outside most of that time to boot].

Caboose from Clementine Mining set taken at night

This whole process can only take about 15 minutes.  You need a soldering gun, a drill [to drill a small hole in the floor for the power wires] and a low voltage light and wire assembly.  Again, I use LGB bulb and socket get these pretty cheap and I got a lot of extra bulbs from ebay several months ago.  The have a nice amber and realistic glow to them.  Below you see a photo the latern set that you can get from LGB.  The LGB lights can take up to 18 volts.  You can use your own lights from a myriad of places.

The Caboose on the left has is pretty well lit up as the track power is applied.  The LGB Roller bearing wheel set can be obtained for about $23.00.  Expensive but very durable.  Aristocraft makes a set also but I have never used them.  The Part number is LGB67403.  It comes with two axle/wheel assemblies and several small plugs. These plugs can be soldered to the light wires and in turn connected to the small prongs that come off the LGB axle. The wheels I had were used so I did not have the connectors.  HO track connectors are perfect substitutions for this.  I soldered the wire to the connectors and the slid the connectors on the pickups.  I then soldered these to the prongs.

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Photo the caboose undercarriage

The 2 axle caboose is attached to the frame by two plastic clips that are clearly visible when you turn it over.  It is very easy to gain access to the interior to "wire" it up for lighting or add details.

One of the extra benefits from using these ball bearing wheels is the added weight and stability that it brings to these very light cars.  This caboose tracks very well now! Also - since these are ball bearing wheels - the thing glides like teflon coated scates on ice.

Note the wiring.  I have two wires coming from the left wheel prong and two from the right.  I then have another light element for the just added rear lantern.  The Lanter just hangs in the window as this caboose is a transition car with Hook n loop on one end and Bachmann on the other. In other words, I can hang this lantern on either end.

The Bachmann has two metal strips that are the axle supports for wheels.  Since the LGB wheels have insulated axle ends, there is no danger of a short.