Review: Hornby Maglight for MK3 Coaches - Installation and Comparison, Coach Lighting Poll Results

Hornby's new Mk3 coaches feature the ability to easily add battery based coach lighting and their MagLight product does just that, albeit at a price.
So how easy is to install and how does it compare to other lighting options.
It's time to take a closer look.
Sections:
00:00 - Introduction
01:25 - Maglight Installation
10:46 - Lighting Review & Comparison
16:07 - Community Poll Results
18:46 - Summary
27:13 - Recommendation
33:10 - Coach Lighting Enablement
Link to the community page for the viewer poll on lighting: www.youtube.com/@EuviRail/com...

[@peter7452]

Great video, I just wish the LED’s would go right to the ends of the coach, doesn’t look right with the door area’s in darkness.

[@EuviRail]

Yes, this is a gap. The Accurascale MK5s and the Bachmann DCC coaches have lighting in these areas. Thanks for highlighting.

[@ronjohnston8693]

thank you for making this video, I found the way you explained things very good, my opinion of what I have seen is it is an excellent option for putting lights in 'older' carriages although these would be roof mounted as they don't have the bar the new Hornby coaches have, also on older coaches you would have to open the coach each time you want to change the batteries, I have already mounted a version that go off automatically after approx 3 min when the carriage stops, I don't see the cost of batteries as a big problem, as you say they can be bought quite economically, I will be visiting my local model shop to see what price I can buy these for and if he can supply them, I do feel the cost of new coaches is prohibited as automatic lighting comes at such a huge increase over non lit coaches, once again I enjoyed your video,

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Ron. As you point there really is no ideal solution right now. I'm hoping the Accurascale MK2s might show the potential way forward - good factory lighting at a reasonable cost.

[@WaltononTrent]

I cover my LED strips with an acrylic diffusing strip which I spray-paint on the inside surface with a light but even coat of cream paint. I find this softens and warms the light to a level which would not blind or cook my passengers, looks very realistic, and eliminates the flare you get around each LED if they are left uncovered. I can't stand flickering lights so I've favoured battery power, so far, but minded to look at other options / components now where coach space permits. I always rig up my own but do have some pre-lit 2Cs on order from Accurascale, so it'll be interesting to see if they need 'fettling'.

[@EuviRail]

Yes, a diffusing strip really does help with these LED strips. Flickering is a no no for sure so I've tended to use storage caps and kept the current draw low. Fingers crossed that Accurascale have done the business. Thanks for sharing.

[@H105]

The Maglight systems are good .. however I have had to add two more LEDs, one at each end to illuminate the coach vestibules as they don't look right in darkness. So I'm probably down to 90 hrs per battery.

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, they're just too short for a MK3 coach. Penny pinching. Not sure if the 3rd party versions suffer from this? Thanks for posting.

[@StormmyStormmy]

Hi, great honest review of a topic that should always be considered, i'm not a fan of battery powered coach lighting because of the cost of batteries when you have the power below the coach on the rails, if you forget and the batteries leak then the holder is ruined. I have some ESU lighting to fit into my Hornby APT at some stage when i get time, the lighting has an onboard decoder and a stay alive for flicker free running, thanks for sharing.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. Leakage can be a real issue alright if storing for an extended period. Better to remove when not in use.

[@Curlypawz]

I really enjoyed this - the Maglight kit certainly has a very nice level of lighting which looks pretty realistic (at least when the batteries are fresh). It is unfortunate that it shows up the shortcomings in the interior fittings. However, for me the cost of what looks to be a very simple lighting kit and the need to keep buying batteries would put me off. And there is always the risk of forgetting to switch the lighting off, which would result in the batteries running down even more quickly. I'd much prefer to pay a little extra for a much better quality coach which has lighting already fitted and run off track power (which Accurascale will bring) or even the Bachmann DCC controlled coaches at their price premium.

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, I'm on much the same page. I recently picked up Bachmann DCC coaches for £70 each which is pricey but it saves my time and I know I've got the best quality going. Thanks for sharing.

[@OOElectronics]

Interesting, thanks. I'm on DC so the option of the full blown Bachmann type is not relevant but the Bachmann with just the pickups would have been. After some experimentation, I opted for the axles with one side live and the low friction spring type pickups. In addition to rectification, I used a regulator and super capacitor to retain lighting over frogs and also to remain on for a few minutes after powering down. Batteries are clearly a simpler option but have the drawbacks you have highlighted.

[@EuviRail]

I use the live axle approach myself with a storage cap to keep the lights on. A regulator will help also. Thanks for sharing. These will work on DCC as well of course without any of the control aspects unless you add a decoder.

[@OOElectronics]

I did a KZbin earlier in the year which has the circuit I used in it.@@EuviRail

[@georgethepatriot2785]

Very interesting and useful video. Found it a lot cheaper to buy all the parts along with Reed switch and tiny magnets to attach to the roof. Did not bother with capacitors

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. Yeah, DIY is cheapest of all of course and my own preferred path. You can also tune the brightness level to your own preferences.

[@pault1289]

Thanks for a really helpful review. Personally I'm not a fan of using batteries - having to keep opening carriages and swaping them, leakage, environmental waste, etc. - and that there is a source of power just millimeters away on the track. I also continue to be surprised (not sure why) by Hornby overstating the features of the models - it's a consistent issue and makes me feel like that are both amateurish and not honest with their customers.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Paul. I'm on the same page re. batteries though there is probably a portion of the modelling community for whom they work. We can see the % in the poll is small. A huge problem I have with Hornby is the dire lack of detail of the capabilities of a model on their website. It's as if they're not quite sure what's going to arrive in from China and potentially disappoint as you say.

[@kevinswift8533]

I really enjoyed your video about fitting hornby mag lights l have got the previous mk3 coaches but not the new tooling you reviewed recently are they only compatible with the new ones I hope l can get some as adding coach lighting adds a more realistic look Best wishes Kev Beighton Parkway Sheffield

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Kev. Yes, the new tooling makes this a lot more convenient. You can probably still do something with the older coaches but fitting the battery will require coach body removal.

[@WojciechGamer]

I kind of hope Hornby make new First Great Western dynamic line HSTs but with a gloss coating like the GWR ones

[@EuviRail]

100%

[@scottthompson7605]

What do people prefer, cool white or warm white.

[@EuviRail]

Hi Scott, the colour temperature would tend to follow the lighting of the era involved with yellow/warm white covering the incandescent era, a colder white for the flourescent era and cold white (5500-6000K) for the modern day LED era. The purist will research the lighting of the specific stock they are modelling. I have to admit I've yet to go that far and tend to stick to the broad strokes. For example, cold white in a 1950s or 1960s coach is definitely a no no.

[@scottthompson7605]

@@EuviRail Thank you for the detailed reply that certainly gives me something to think about. I decided only a few days ago to start installing lighting in my coaches then when I sat down this evening to research it you’re excellent video was the first one I saw. Your content is always very well put together.

[@PlatformONE]

What did you use to turn the lights off?

[@EuviRail]

The same magnetic wand turns the lights on and off. It's less a wand and more just a small magnet in a red plastic holder with Hornby on the back of it. I did find it easier to use than the smaller magnetic wands that are out there.

[@hotdogpilot6319]

This is not a bad option for those who are not a dab hand with a soldering iron.

[@EuviRail]

Yes, I think it will suit some folks because of that. Thanks for commenting.

[@sapphirejunction8993]

Have no skin in the game not owning any Hornby coaches but yes they look pretty good to be honest.

[@EuviRail]

The most recent Hornby MK3s are probably the best they've produced I think.

[@chrisking5355]

Given the cost of the components (a pound max?) aren't you paying 14 pounds for the privilege of fitting the lights yourself vs 20p for a chinese person to do it?

[@EuviRail]

And the majority would prefer for the Chinese person to do it in the first place! Thanks for commenting.