Adding lighting, seats and people to old Hornby 4 wheel coaches

Yet more bodgelling I'm afraid - this time trying to improve the old, short Hornby 4 wheel coaches. I show how I added seats, passengers and lighting. As usual I also repaint and weather the models as well.
Was it worth it or are these old Hornby models just toys?

[@davidbarnett8199]

Hi Keith. They look great and very inspiring as always. I did laugh when you mentioned touching up the passengers, might not be the best thing to do. 😂Keep up the great work.

[@KV12543]

Hi David, I thought I might get away with that comment but you spotted it.....I expect the thought Police will soon be after me, Regards Keith

[@blairleipst4508]

😂😂😂

[@martinsurridge7390]

Excellent modification to an old model, looks good. I never liked these non-prototypical models at first, but admit that I have a few for "modification"! As you say, I have grown to like them!

[@KV12543]

Hi Martin, thanks for your comments and yes there is something about the coaches. Regards Keith

[@davidsheriff8989]

Clever stuff and intricate...admire your patience..

[@KV12543]

Thanks David, It took some time but I think it was worth it as they look good trundling round my layout, Regards Keith

[@IronHorseRailways]

Good drill for the main event, proceed with the rest Keith!

[@KV12543]

I'm still not sure whether I will do any more...but full size coaches should be rather easier, Regards Keith

[@railway187]

I have also done such lighting in a few coaches, but with the battery compartment and manual switch at the bottom of the coach, which is bot handy and also a bit visible. Your idea with magnetic switch is fantastic!

[@KV12543]

It was a lot of fiddly work and since the video two of the soldered joints between the coaches have broken but they seem alright now, Regards Keith

[@maxroberts1717]

Brilliant work Keith! 👍

[@KV12543]

You are really too kind, Cheers Keith

[@TheDaf95xf]

That was absolutely amazing 🤩

[@KV12543]

Thanks Stevie, glad you enjoyed it, Regards Keith

[@paull2613]

As always clearly explained.. Looks a treat. I fitted on off switches to mine which is a pain each coach needs to be lifted turned on or off, the wand idea is so much better

[@KV12543]

Thanks Paul, the wand works very well but only having the battery in one coach means I need to take care when removing the coaches from the layout...there's always something! Regards Keith

[@paulbache3940]

Thanks Keith, very timely as I've just bought some of these to do the same

[@KV12543]

Thanks Paul and good luck with your project, Regards Keith

[@stickman18]

Thank you, you have inspired me to treat my 4 wheel coaches to a full makeover, I always shied away from doing them as I could not be sure of seeing the passengers through the thick plastic windows. A great easy to follow video.

[@KV12543]

Thanks Grahame, I hope your makeovers go well, Regards Keith

[@arrannewton7186]

Great video, very informative

[@KV12543]

Hi Arran, these coaches might be just the job for your box file layout, Regards Keith

[@johnbill9201]

Great video thanks for sharing, amazing what you can do to these coaches, I must find mine out, there somewhere amongst my stuff, J

[@KV12543]

Thanks, Glad you enjoyed the video, Regards Keith

[@ArcadiaJunctionModelTrains]

They have an enormous charm and potential. I have kitbashed them to get old Irish 3 wheel CIE coaches on the cheap. I have a few more left over and I might just follow your example. Thank you sir.

[@KV12543]

Sounds interesting and thanks for your comments, Regards Keith

[@bianchikat]

that was great..I have four of these four wheelers ostensibly for use as 'workmens train..' powered by a Terrier on the Southern region incarnation of my layout..but I have two Caley Pugs and a L and Y Pug waiting in the wings. I did like the seating units tho the tricky soldering is perhapsa bridge too far for me. My wife thought your voice was comforting and reassuring!

[@KV12543]

I too have a couple of Terriers and some green coaches would look great behind them but Pugs and green coaches.......perhaps not! Regards Keith

[@donniblanco5239]

I can’t resist cheap 4 wheel coaches and creating private pre grouping Branchline Beauties, that as you say they look really cute behind an 0-4-0. Awesome job 👍🏻

[@KV12543]

Thanks Donni for your kind comments as always, Regards Keith

[@PaulinesPastimes]

This is a great idea. I have a rake of 5 Caledonian versions and have been thinking of ways to improve their looks. It's a shame that Triangbuyer doesn't post the seating units to Australia.

[@KV12543]

The only thing I can suggest is to make some seats out of Plasticard. Once painted and installed they should look OK....after all, the Hornby windows are quite thick and obscure a lot of the interior detail anyway, Regards Keith

[@PaulinesPastimes]

@@KV12543 Thank you. That's a great idea. Once a template has been made it would simply be repeated. 😊

[@neilbedford5082]

I am new to model railways and am planning a very modest layout. I recently bought two 4-wheeled coaches very similar to your ones and was wondering how best to add some interior / exterior details and possibly to add lighting - I then stumbled across your little film, which could have been made specifically for me - Thanks!!

[@KV12543]

Hope the video will be of use to you and good luck with the coaches, Regards Keith

[@PalmersPhotos]

These look fantastic, and while they aren't prototypical in any way, I think they're cute too. Have you ever thought about replacing the couplings in these? If you're only ever going to run them together and with wires between them, you could probably replace the couplers with something more realistic that allows them to couple closer together. You've already got some pretty good "vacuum pipes"

[@KV12543]

I had thought of changing the couplings but my sharpest curves are radius one so the Hornby ones take the strain out of the electrical connections. The coaches as you say are not prototypical and to be honest I had got to the stage where I couldn't be bothered to make any more changes. I find that after a while my enthusiasm diminishes and I long for a new project! Regards Keith

[@PalmersPhotos]

@@KV12543 Being prototypical doesn't matter if it is something you like, especially if you've got a nice set that you like running. I myself want to get set of 4-wheelers like this with no real-life counterpart, and as nice as the new models may be I can get 3 of these for half the price of a single new Hornby or Hattons model. Looks like I've got another new project to get on with! Thanks for the inspiration; I hope mine end up half as good as yours.

[@treblebass6721]

Hi Keith. Thanks so much for this. something I've been thinking of doing for a while but not been brave enough to have a go! Where did you get the tiny connecting sockets/plugs?

[@KV12543]

Layouts4U, Regards Keith

[@Chris-BognorRegis]

Very clever Keith, nice job. Will you by any chance be going to the 40th Annual Modellers Exhibition at The Grange, Midhurst next month? Regards Chris

[@KV12543]

'Fraid not Chris....it's a bit too far to do in a day, regards Keith

[@Chris-BognorRegis]

My apologies, for some unknown reason I thought you lived in this part of West Sussex hence the query.

[@KV12543]

@@Chris-BognorRegis No need to apologise Chris....after all I have made a model called Midderst......in actual fact I live in beautiful Devon. Hope the show is good, Regards Keith

[@thepacerman]

i just wish they had a longer wheelbase so they would look a bit more realistic

[@KV12543]

Agreed, but there is something about them though.

[@blairgowrieforestrailwayan2786]

Nice video. Would you ever consider turning one of these short coaches into a 3 axle coach?

[@KV12543]

Thanks Andrew but no I wouldn't do a three axle coach as I have radius one curves (corners?) and the 4 wheelers only just go round them, Regards Keith

[@grahamgillings9149]

What Reed switch are you using

[@KV12543]

The reed switch is supplied in the lighting kit from Layouts4U but I think may be available separately. I have several and they work very well, Regards Keith

[@jamit2576]

To close the reed switch,we have to put to the magnet near the reed switch, but when we take the magnet away from reed switch, the reed switch gets open . I have a question that ,when you move away the magnet from reed switch, then still your lights was 'on' condition How it is possible ????

[@KV12543]

If you move the magnet over the reed switch from one end to the other it should come on and stay on. Move the magnet back over the reed switch and it will then go off and stay off. If not, maybe the reed switch is damaged? The reed switch also needs to be the right way up, Regards Keith

[@jamit2576]

Thanks 👍

[@newlynnrailway]

You need a latching reed switch.