Hello, hope all is well.

Interior lighting on those passenger wagons would seem to enhance appearances and realism and seem like a simple item to add. But for the ICE trains, and similar units, there seem to be very few lighted passenger strings. I cannot say why this is the case. The control cab on “push-pull” trains have been lighted for years, but are limited to the operators cab. Marklin seems to release a number of these control cabs in various forms. The latest new Marklin features seem to be close couplers and I recently picked up a passenger set with seating modeled, but no lighting. I don’t know if there will be some new releases including coach lighting.

I am not aware of a US maker of passenger wagon lighting kits. Any work from venders here would require a plan and tools to put something together. Here is a vendor which might offer parts and technical support: I have never attempted this process or used this vendor before. I am told adding lights to a wagon is a relatively easy process.

https://www.ngineering.com/ It is possible these may not be an option for Z scale applications.

Unfortunately, right now it might not be practical to look for kits from the EU for example. Some websites in Germany, plainly state they will not ship to the US because of import and tariff restrictions. I am not certain when this will change but I did locate some possible websites which might give you an idea about adding lighting. These might be useful in the future, but I would first contact these vendors before placing an order. It is possible, even with reduced tariffs or import taxes, shipping costs often exceed the cost of the items you are ordering. Combined items might make your order more practical. Purchases thru PayPal help with money conversion. Again I have not used these vendors. Since Covid, many sellers have dropped out and fewer and fewer options remain. It took a while for me to come up with these, but perhaps someone here, on our forum someone might add some information or experience to this.

Here is one website to check:

https://www.kupa-electro...mm-warmweiss::11426.html Use website translate to use this website.

Another:

https://www.mobatron.ch/...dukte-1/produkte-spur-z/

This site seems to have items which may meet your needs but uses the small button batteries to operate. Many have criticized the extra drag created by the common wheel pickup used for supplying electricity to the lights on traditional setups. I know from experience, this drag makes a difference.

This is just an informative page I located which is somewhat dated, but shows a review of a lighting package which was under development and was tested by a German vendor. Don’t know if such a kit was ever released or if it is available.

https://www.1zu220-shop....ll-Beleuchtung:_:50.html


I hope this helps. Should you try something, please let us know how it goes. Any success should be shared.

Take good care

Zme

Edited by user 12 February 2026 00:16:46(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I suspect it's because of the increased rolling resistance the electrical pick-up arrangements add.

Cheers


Chris