MTH PS3 Christmas engines w/leds

Their are two separate strings, one on the top, one on the bottom.The drive circuits are the same.  You can plug the string into either socket.  Usually, the fine lacquered wire either breaks, shorts to the frame/handrail (I usually insulate the frame with electrical tape) or the string shorts (all lights in the string out) or breaks (lights work up to a certain point then die).  Each string has 4 color LEDs, red, white, green and yellow.  Depending on the type of LEDs, the red/yellow and white/green are separate strings braided together. Some strings, the green is separate.  The strings are held on with stiff copper coated wire.  This has a tendency to cut through the lacquer insulation, shorting the string.  They decided to slip a piece of clear insulation over the wire clips which helped.  The latest (and what I use to restring them) is thin fishing line, one continuous line for each string (upper and lower).

I am soooo glad I don’t have to work on them anymore.  It takes hours if you have to restring them.  They are very fragile.

Thanks Jon

As an alternate replacement you might try Evans Designs light strings. They have 3 volt and 9-18 volt strings that would work. But the bulb spacing is further apart. Have also seen plenty of different designs in the stores like Walmart and $1 stores. Where you can get for a  $1 or 2 + simple light strings with a 3 or 4.5 volt battery box. Again these are with the bulbs spaced further apart then the ones that are on the MTH trains. Have not found anything on the market similar to the close spacing on the MTH strings.

I just finished a MTH  AC4400Ac Diesel w/xmas leds. I used fishing line looped and held the line in place w/hot glue.  Thanks to a suggestion from  Jon G What is not mentioned is you have to braid and stagger the colors. Not a repair if you don't have patience.

I cant tell you how many times working at MTH that i had to get up and walk away from these things....... but with Jon's help i made it through. lol.