How-To On LED & Bi-LED Wiring + The Evolution Of Lighting In Model Railways. Hornby Triang etc. 

I just bought ten rolls of led's from Aliexpress for the price of about £1.25 per 5m roll having one each of the colours, one multicolour (for signal lamps red and green) and a couple each of warm and cold white. What an age we live in where things are so cheap and these are pre-resistor'd too so just put some volts in and away you go. Each roll has 300 LED's on so that is 3000 for a ridiculously low sum O.o Despite years ago being an electronics fanatic who in the 70's rebuilt scrapped Commodore Pets and 8088 IBM PC's using the awesome "How to - Electronics" as my guide and a lethal soldering iron scavenging components from broken devices, I have forgotten so much and these video's really are educational, excellent stuff John from a fan :D

at age 80 and never having any knowledge of electrical connections ie diods ,capasitors etc I am in eternal debt to you for your comprehensive instruction of the same.Bless you.

Just starting out on the railway modelling journey and looking at how I'll light the layout. This must rank as one of the most instructive and helpful videos I have watched!

YOU have done wonder! AT 82 I learnt about this aspect of mini electric wiring! SHARING knowledge is the greatest of noble causes! THANK YOU SIR!

That as been one of the most educational, great to watch RU-vid clips on Lights/LED on how our model railways light up our life’s as they go round our layout. Thank you for sharing that interesting information with us all...!

John I would love to thank you for all this. I have about 100 electric trains. As of 2wks ago. I decided to update the lighting. I hooked up a set of LEDs into a chessie f model C&O 7071 so many light options on it. But couldn't figure out how to get the lighting to work during the reverse part when lights shut off. You did more than Justice to this in my book. Which according to my wife and father even my brother before he passed that I'ma bit of a perfectionist. So upon wiring new LEDs in a disappointed look across my face that they won't work in reverse. I started soldering by working on car audio amplifiers. The started getting serious with trains the better I got. Never been to electronic class trial and error for me. Thanks to you, you've added more to my arsenal of electronic knowledge. I appreciate you for taking your time to make these videos in complete. Instead of half assed like some. Keep up your outstanding works of educating people like me who have the brains and patience to understand what it takes to achieve perfection in the world of model locomotives. I have 4 children. Oldest 23 youngest 4. My 4 yr old is the next generation of our favorite hobby. I want this to be installed in my child. So that our legacy continues on, beyond our life. My these trains live through our children in their curiosity, wonder, and excitement. Thank you so much for everything and more to come.

Well done!! I was just about to rewire my grandson's HO engine. Now it's time to switch to LED's.

What a brilliant tutorial! As a complete novice in electronics this has taught me so much in one video and not scared to have a go. Kind regards Eddie 🤓

I LOVE your instructional videos. You have a natural teaching style, and you are thorough. You make this entire thing very accessible and graspable. Keep it up, John!

That's the best explanation of how electronic components work together I have ever seen. I've read, studied many books on the subject and never really grasped it until now. Thanks so much.

You deserve your own TV programme John; reminiscent of the “Model World” programmes of the 70s where Model Railways featured (with Bob Symes Schutzmann (RIP)), and various techniques and demonstrations were explained. Great to watch over and over again as reminders and memory joggers! All the best John, Bob

Although I already know this stuff, I still found the whole video very interesting and very well presented. Clear and accurate information for beginners and novices.

You are a very good teacher and make it easier to understand.

Hi again John. Remember I was having trouble with back emf on my R155, blowing Bicolour LEDS ? solved it ! fitted a set of PECO 14.1mm wheels and brass bearings, to the other bogie. made 2,twin pickups from thin brass sheet.(4 Contact dimples punched in, using a little home made dome punch too). had to make a pair for both sides, as the axles are insulated from all wheels. Preliminary testing shows very positive results, although only jury-rigged at the minute. Seems that picking the power up from the track, well away from the "evil" old power bogie, has stopped the EMF interference to the LED Circuit altogether ! Well Pleased. Thanks for your previous input, and for all your hard work matey. Gaz.

Fascinating instructional videos you have! I've been in the Hobby for more than 40 years, and you've FINALLY given me an easy, no-nonsense solution to flicker-free, bi-directional LED lighting, in the last video I watched of yours!!! 👍👍🍸 I thank you for that! I've only started this video.... but you've asked a question about the first model trains with lighting. Lionel had lighted locomotives as early as 1921, with lighted Coaches in 1928, in the Transcontinental Limited a/k/a the "State Set". It's possible that I've and Märklin had lighting in 1925, but I can't confirm that. Cheers, Carmine 🚂

Thank you, It give me a better understanding, of how it works. And how can be done. I already change my RR to DCC, that means, I have a fixed low AC voltage current to the rails. Speaking to light a carriage, I will take the AC current , get it though a Bridge Rectifier, transform it to DC current, and to the light strip, with the potentiometer and the condenser, to keep it alive and not flickering !

Thank you so much, this video is absolutely brilliant, I have been banging my head on a wall trying to figure this stuff out

John. Great video's. You are close. I am a Trix-Twin Bassett Lowke collector. Coach lighting was available to the "well to do" in 1939. Trix-Twin issued the Coronation Scot, Flying Scotsman and Duchess in presentation boxes. Very expensive at the time. All powered 14V A/C. Sought after now.

Thank you John, for your excellent video explaining LED’s, diodes, potentiometers and bridge rectifiers. I found very informative. As a newbie to model railways (n scale) I now feel confident enough to put this knowledge into practice on my planned layout.

john your a man after my own heart a smoke and a whiskey lol.you videos are amazing i have learned a lot from them and will be adding lighting to my lay out .also i watched your other videos and they all are great.i have seen a lot of other peoples vids but they don't show you teach you how to do everything.they assume you know everything the small details.where as you do the proper job.

Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video. Was super useful!

brilliant john well presented no waffling straight to the point well done, i think i can adapt your last part of 2 leds to work at each end of loco bi-directionally , well done

Cheers! This is one of the best explanations, I thoroughly enjoyed the video. It cleared up a number of things for me. Thank you

Brilliant. As a beginner i'll now have a go. I have always been afraid to try before watching this. Thanks.

What a Pleasure to sit and watch and listen to a Video that's NOT Boring. well done that man, .please keep them coming 10/10 AAA go to the top of the class.

Absolutely brilliant video John, your skills are amassing. I have used your videos in the past to help me create a circuits for coach lighting, very easy to follow. Very well presented…Simon

Great explanation John, thanks! Only things I'd add is that if you were to solder two leds close together for use somewhere (not just for instruction purposes) you'd be wise to add insulation to one of the legs where they cross! -and- the downside of capacitors storing a charge after power is off is that they can deliver an electric shock too, especially those rated at higher voltages. It's safest to ensure the cap is fully discharged before handling it! Cheers. Mike

Great explanation well done sir, added a bit of light for me in these dark times and it has given me confidence to start on my illumination!

Fantastic, loved it, although I will probably forget it all by tomorrow. Impressive tutorial and with personality too. Look forward to many more.

difficult concepts - BRILLIANTLY explained ! - thankyou so much

Because of the virus, I drug or dragged or retrieved .... I know how to say it, just not how to write it. Anyway my stuff was put away in 99. I don’t have room fo my train stuff but I set up my slot cars on a 36”x80” door... but I’m putting my building and stuff and trying to light stuff. I’ve been working on it but not knowing everything about it... I starting watching, but I wasn’t getting enough info. They’d brush over to much. I got it all today from you. Thank you finally. I’m gonna watch the other videos you did just to learn more.

Love your videos. Small point at around the 3 minute mark, electricity flows from negative to positive. Keep up the good work!

Miss you John!

just found this , really good information and great explanations on how LEDs work.

You have a fantastic way of teaching,I've learned such a lot from this video.Thanks very much for sharing your knowledge.

Thanks John for the invaluable information. This helped me understand the circuts a little better and what I need when I get to the point of lighting my N scale cabooses.

Very very well done John. Your teaching method is superb! I think the most daunting thing which modellers get far too worried about is the "application" of actually doing the job. That, and, the mathematics of course! Although we know that there are some rules and conventions to adhere to, the modeller should have no fear of attempting to do these simple tasks which, all in all, really do enhance the enjoyment of the hobby. We have customers who are crying out for information like that shown in this "tutorial" and you are to be applauded. I will recommend that they watch this. Perhaps you might consider putting it on a DVD then you could also introduce setting the components out on a circuit-board (or vero-board)? I'm not really much good with videoing otherwise I'd help further but thank you again John. I'm sure many will find this useful and, as you say, will build confidence in tackling the project/s. Best wishes, Bob.

This is a really great watch, learning lots, good of you to make. If you're interested, toy train manufacturers such as Howard, Knapp, Carlisle & Finch most of the gauge 2 aristocracy had working headlights by 1906, with lionel having directional lighting by the mid twenties. Also by the way Chrysler went to alternator electrics for 1960 model year, and this enabled their panelescent gimmick where phosphor coated ceramics were charged creating an electro luminescent effect for the dash lights. Personally it looks okay... apart from the occasional arc of 220 volts searing across the speedo...

Hi John your videos and tutorials are the best information in explaining things about railway modelling improvements in simple fide terms James

Great job, brilliant, Great tutorial, I really have learnd a lot, you schuld only tell the peopel that capasitors kan be leathel, when charged thay can give quite a schok, always shoort them out after use. That is what i found out. great work. regards Ernest from Holland.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I did not understand all of this stuff, but now I do! Looking forward to understanding more. Again, thanks for teaching me in understandable terms. Doug

Your video answered so many questions for me. I will definitely be using it for reference. Thank you.

Those selenium rectifiers are nasty things when they fail. They can release some nasty toxic smoke... Those very early LED's were barely even a dot of light, not even bright enough for indicator lights. Things have come a long way. When wiring LED's and relying on the LED to handle the reverse bias, make sure you have good quality LED's. Some of the really cheap ones fail quite quickly if reverse biased. Learnt that from experience. ...... Thanks for another great video.

Thanks John, really helpful, I had to work all this stuff out over years, pre RU-vid. I think your video on soldering is the best I've seen, I've recommended it to guys at work

This video was really helpful and you explained everything really well, and looking forward to another video of yours Brilliant 👏.

The video is an excellent review showing the history, & how to build increasingly complex lighting arrangements. Great! Thanks.

Very informative video. I learned several things. Thank you mate. Cheers!

Brilliant video, learned heaps, thank you John

Brilliant, simply brilliant

Thanks, John.good clear explanation,filled in a few gaps in my knowledge

Hi John a very well explained video, should give everyone the confidence to try electronics well done Dave.

your videos are great to watch, I have learned so much watching the videos on electrics

Thank you John for an excellent lighting tutorial......Cheers DaveH

! agree with Alan Crump , about calling you Professor Railway. Excellent video , John.

John, you are very good at explaing things, I find your vids educating. Kevin

Hello John,been following your video's for quite awhile,I have now subscribed after following this video you have just made from start to finish..Made and taken notes on all the various items one requires,right up to the very small one against the match stick.I have found Maplin's quite helpful sometimes,But i gain strange looks being a female into model railways as a Hobby.besides JENNY KIRK as i follow her progress ...Very informative and so easy to follow now.Thank you kindly....... Carol

What a wonderful way to start a new year and dark nights with a tech video on model lighting hints and tips for Tungsten Bulbs and LED circuits. It really does put the AMAZING in Johns Amazing Trains demo videos. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge Johnboy. If possible if you haven't already done so, do a vid about building a Flashing Fire or Welders Torch circuit for us on lookers. Best Regards and a happy New Year too you and all your other watchers, John.

You have a great way of explaining things that i like I really have got hooked on your videos as i have said in comment before i got back into model train again an am leaning so much from watching your channel

Another great descrptive vid. Many thanks. David

Great video and well explained thank you so much.👍👍👍👍👍👍

Thanks for the great video, John. Can you please do a video on how to wire up BI-DIRECTIONAL LEDs?

Thank you John for an excellent lighting tutorial, you make it so easy to understand & very interesting. Im 78 yrs young & find the electronic age that were in mind blowing & a bit of black magic, I model American Ho on DCC so will these led set ups work for me...…..Cheer`s Brian

Absolutely brilliant, thank you so much.

hi john hope your well excellent presentation.

Superb video John, thanks for taking the time to create it and the helpful links. I've learnt tons from this. Love the sign off at the end too! :)

you are the real teacher

Great vid again John. This will be of great help as I'm putting lighting to all my rolling stock. So a big thank you again and love all your vids.

enjoyed your presentation

thank u soo , Ilearn a lot from u , my dear train friend , u make me soooooo happy , and i not get all the old problems , thanks 2 your short movies . love from Norway , thank you .

Thank you John. Much appreciated.

You're amazing, John! Superb tutorial.

Very good video. Gives a man confidence to tackle stuff. Thankyou.

Brilliant tutorial I am personally not a lover of trains but you explain the Leds and wiring side with the use of the resistor and parts very well can you use and power the led roll lighting strips using a9 or 12v battery

Brilliant . Stephen White

YOU'V ANSERED ALL OF MY Q'S TKS VERRY MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi John. You should have been a lecturer. Great explanation of something I always avoided. Alan.

John, absolutely fascinating and clear explanation. Many thanks.

Great tutorial, I would have mentioned the bridge rectifier can be used with AC so works on dcc as well. Cheers

inspirational John, thank you.

Fascinating stuff, great tutorial, you remind me of my elder brother, he was electrical genius also, thanks for sharing

That was marvellous! It was all a mystery until this video. Now I understand!! Thanks John! One question though. Where do you get the LED strip? The link in the description no longer works.

Who made that PC bd with the 4 LED's? A search for those numbers returned nothing. It is a useful PC bd. Well said.

Once again thanks so much for making and uploading such an informative video. I think you entirely deserve the whiskey and fag at the end! For your next video: Rather than have pickups on every carriage , get a Brelec PW400 conductive coupling. (not always in stock, but can be pre-ordered). This allows distribution of the power throughout the train in a very simple and reliable way. It fits a standard NEM socket, as a hook and bar coupling does, but has wires attached to which you can solder the circuits described here. A PW400 conductive couplings makes it possible to have interior lighting for the entire train with just the capacitor and the bridge rectifier in the guard's van. (Keep the guard on the train and the whiskey and fags by the electrolytic capacitor before the light goes out).

Just what I needed. Thank you so much!

Need to do a video on bi-color LEDS (single item) with 2 and/or 3 legs. Please.

Very useful. Have layout some parts 40years old. Now changed to DCC: alas gone are the insulated fish plate and relying on the turnout rail electrical contact. I have installed a bus line to most of the track: dropping feeders as and when needed: However without starting again I have to put up with getting around expensive block detection: So for partial automation and signaling I have turned to toggle (on) Of (on) switches for the solenoid worked turnouts and wired them up with the ready made impulse type units that work (8) signals and used a bi-LED for display panel. As for block detection I have turned to reed switches: Great LED flicker on the control panel rout (but one has to be precise in stopping the locos magnet over a reed switch to show occupancy) bit of a compromise but still has an element of fun in control: I am extending the layout more dcc friendly, but I am struggling with wiring up double solenoid passing points. as for dcc.It's an issue as most of my old loco stock I chipped will not navigate any new Peco points i have installed and is not worth while fixing without extensive work: anyway my new DCC ready rolling stock with all the lights whistles and bells is growing Thanks again john for your posts that I follow can understand. Ron

Just love LED's! Can do so much with them.

Brilliant John as always! However, just before you said you were off for a whisky, you referred back to the illustration where you had connected two LEDs (red and white), joining opposite legs together for bi-directional use plus the balance resistor in circuit - MENTIONED that one should probably also add a diode to protect the leds but no pictorial or clip or circuit diagram to show how exactly that should be connected. Which for relative rookies to electrics like me is a big deal. Is there any way you can add or send that information because I’m right now (in fact today, as at 22 July 2022) trying to wire up one of my On30 locos. Many thanks in advance.

The cathode of the LED is also marked by the base "ring" being flat on that side.

great confidence builder, top explanations

love yer style and knowledge !

Good job Sir John

John, Great presentation. Thanks Dick

You did a great job explaining how the parts work. I bought a premade light board for a coach. The light had a battery and a magnetic switch. How a about a video on ways to pick up power for the tracks. Thanks

I have some old East German N Scale locos where the directional lights are controlled using a thin strip of selenium, about half the size of a postage stamp.

Thank you John. This video is of great help I have given it a like so that I'll be able to find it quickly for reference. Off to the work bench I must go, Byeee.... Cheers, David.

Great as usual John 👌. Thank you

Great video John. Thanks for all the helpful information. I have one question. I'm running DCC and the track voltage is AC. I'm going to light some passenger cars with LED's. Will a bridge rectifier take AC as input? Thanks again and keep the videos coming. George

Hi john great video I'm really having difficulty calculating the resistor for LEDs and finding out the things required about the LEDs to perform the calculation

Hi john great lighting tutorial Just one question what was the rating of watts for that resistor?