What's the best lighting kit for Athearn passenger cars?

[Pennsylvania Station]

 What's the best lighting kit for Athearn passenger cars?

I'm fairly new to HO model railroading.

I purchased several older HO Athearn passenger cars that I would like to add lighting, and possibly passenger seating.



What lighting kit would you recommend for this conversion?

Is an LED light set a better choice, since it consumes less power and lasts longer?

I understand that the orginal  Athearn #9200 lighting kit had only one light bulb, which was quite inadequate.



I also understand I will need to replace the plastic wheels with metal wheel sets ( Athearn #90504 36").

Is there a single lighting kit that includes all of the above parts, or do I need to purchase them seperately?

Also, is there a passenger seating set that will fit these cars, or will I have to purchase a "generic" version that needs to be modified/customized ?

Thank you for any information you can provide.

[dstarr]

I used a Walthers light kit to illuminate a bunch of IHC passenger cars.  The Walthers light bar has a 5 volt regulator to keep the lights burning at a constant brightness.  It fits in the ceiling without much trouble.  You will need metal wheels and axle wipers to pick up the current and pass it to the lamps.  Do not use wheel tread wipers for current pickup, the frictional drag is too high. I would not bother with LED's.  The color is awfully blue and looks odd and you need a full wave rectifier and a current regulator circuit to light them up.

IHC sells molded plastic interior kits that can be made to fit just about anything.  They need a good paint job to look right.  

 

[gmcrail]

Pennsylvania Station

I understand that the orginal  Athearn #9200 lighting kit had only one light bulb, which was quite inadequate.

 

The original lighting for these cars was a single bulb sandwiched between the two floor weight halves.  Not good.  The Walthers kit mentioned above would be a good choice.  However the cars in the photo are already set up for lighting.  Note the metal wheels on the trucks.  All you have to do is connect the trucks to your lighting unit.

 

Pennsylvania Station

Also, is there a passenger seating set that will fit these cars, or will I have to purchase a "generic" version that needs to be modified/customized ?

Try the ones at the Palace Car Co.  Search for "Athearn".

 These cars are a great choice.  They are about the best-tracking passenger cars ever made, by anyone.

 Good luck, and WELCOME TO THE HOBBY!