Marklin Passenger Cars

[railandsail]

Santa Fe set

UP2CSX,

Passenger cars are more for my six-year-old daughter, who owns me, than anyone. She absolutely loved seeing an old cast iron American Flyer Hudson pulling two lighted passenger cars. I suspect that this is what piqued her interest in trains.

As much as I hate being separated from my money, I will spend a few more bucks to get a set of passenger cars that illuminate as voltage is increased to track. With the aftermarket lighting kit of which you wrote, does it cause the so installed car to illuminate with track voltage? I am not too sure a Ripido-style illuminating setup will be right for me.

I just wish it were as easy as going to my local hobby shop and walking out with what I want.

Tom

At six years old I don't think you want the latest 'highly detailed cars' with lots of small detail parts attached.

I might suugest you look at a set of Concor cars. They are very nice looking and very sturdy.

And I'm not so sure you would have to go the route of some of the older lighting ideas. These new LEDs are putting out a lot of light on VERY LITTLE current. I would be tempted to just put LED lighting in each car with a small battery....could be just normal double AA or AAA batteries with a mini switch. Then no relying on pick up-wheels, nor track voltage, etc. long lasting, constant lighting, small expense.

I happen to have a set of about 15 such Santa Fe cars with close coupling and all weighted properly, but without lights. I might be interested in trading up myself to a more detailed set, and thus selling these. I will check with a expert LED friend about lighting idea. If you're interested let me know?

Come to think of it I also have a cheap, but nicely detailed, and very good running pair of MRC F7 diesels in Santa Fe colors...perfect for this 'set'