The Train Lights Project

thingiverse

The Lights on the Train Project is designed to artistically mount controllable lights onto trains in a way that makes them look like they have been decorated for Christmas. This project has evolved significantly over time. Initially, I used strips of wood with simple RGB LED strips glued on and hung on my trains, but it looked terrible - except when viewed in the dark. A few years ago, my wife gave me a 3D printer, which allowed me to create intricate designs using openSCAD software. My first attempts at creating decorative train roofs were unsuccessful due to poor woodworking skills. However, with the help of the 3D printer and improved design techniques, I was able to hide all wires and create a more appealing result. To achieve this, I realized that I needed to print the entire roof assembly of a car, rather than just light rails. This required upgrading my 3D printer to an Ender3 model, which provided better resolution and control over complex designs. The use of openSCAD software allowed me to create more intricate designs for hanging wires. In addition to refining my printing skills, I also started experimenting with using an Arduino board to control shift register controllable LED strips. This required a low-cost Arduino called the Red Stick, which worked seamlessly with the LED lights. The ease of programming and low power consumption made it an ideal solution for this project. The final controller was designed to fit snugly into the PostCar, which came pre-wired with power hookups from LGB (Lehman Grow Bahn). I then used Amazon modules to rectify the power, convert 5-12V to 5V USB output, and finally charge 18250 batteries. This allowed the Arduino board to run on battery power while providing a stable 5V supply for the LED lights. The entire circuit set was housed in a custom-made holder that fit into the PostCar's sliding door. This made it easy to hook up a USB cable and program the Red Stick using openSCAD software. I include schematics, parts lists, SCAD files, and Arduino programs for anyone interested in replicating this project. The batteries were included to ensure that the lights continue flashing even when the train is stationary at a station. The PostCar model can be found on Thingiverse under the title "Lights on the Train Project - PostCar," while the Passenger Car model is titled "Lights on the Train Project - Passenger Car." The Caboose and Flat Car models are currently in development, as well as controlling software for the project.