Märklin 42973, DB "IC Südwind" Restaurant car

Updated 20.02.2014

Märklin 42973, DB WRmz 135 61 80 88-94 383-6 Restaurant coach

This car was introduced in 2004, meant as a supplement to the Südwind coach set 42993.
This car had a function decoder and a sound module (conductors whistle) originally fitted, as well as well as motorized up and down movement of the pantograph.
The function decoder has only the f2 and f3 functions operative.

My modifications are these:
- Installed a Märklin 60961 function decoder and a miniature relay
- Installed home made interior light in the restaurant and the kitchen.
- Prepared for current conducting couplers.

f1 light in the kitchen and interior light in the connected cars, powered via a relay
f2 on pantograph up, f2 off pantograph down, as before
f3 conductors whistle, as before
f4 light in the restaurant.

My philosophy regarding f1:
When the train staff prepares the train, to welcome the passengers, they switch the lights on.  That's a signal for the kitchen staff to start preparing the food, so they need light.
Whwn they are prepared, the vaaitors  switch the restaurant light on (f4) and are ready to welcome the dining guests.

Evening, all lights on, pantograph up, some guests have arrived,

Daytime, all light on, pantograph up, busy restaurant

The pantograph is normally raised when the restaurant car is stationary.  Under normal operation it gets it's power from the locomotive and runs with the pantograph down.

Ready for departure, pantograph down, lights off due to daylight, the guests are looking forward for a tasty meal and some good drinks.

I like good old fashion restaurant cars.

The next step will be to install interior light in the 42972 Bar coach and the coaches from the 42993 Südwind set, including current conducting couplers.

This will be thee first one:
Märklin 42972, DB ARDmh 105 61 80 94-90 301-3 BAR coach

This car was introduced in 2004, meant as a supplement to the Südwind coach set 42993.

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