Almost everything on my layout is postwar or PW style with some prewar mixed in, with many of my locomotives, cabooses, passenger cars, and lightning requiring those little 14 volt bulbs. And even with lowering accessory voltages, they seem to have a fairly short life span, and I'll always support my local train shops but I'm tired of picking up bulbs for 2-3 bucks a pop every time one goes out. Anyone know where to order them in bulk, or, if possible, and viable LED upgrades?
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http://stores.towncountryhobbies.com/leds/
Also, a good place for classic ribbon cable wire used on many Lionel accessories. They sell in bulk or singles, they have bulbs, LEDs, figures, the list goes on and on.
For regular incandescent 14V bayonet bulbs in bulk 50 count ($0.30 bulb) http://stores.towncountryhobbi.../363-bulb-box-of-50/
Try replacing them with 18 volt bulbs instead.
The Lionel 2046 and 2065 call for 18 v head lights.
Charlie
There are a few things you can do about short lamp life. When operating be sure you do not exceed the rates voltage of the lamps. As it was pointed out, there are 18 volt equivalent lamps for every 14 volt lamp used by Lionel. Avoid foreign made lamps. There life and quality is inconsistent. Search for “GE miniature lamps” on eBay. There are lots of US made lamps still available. Also use TVS components across a lock-on adjacent to devices with coils, like uncoupling tracks, to control voltage surges. These surges can be in excess of 100 volts, which can be hard on lots of things
Lamps made by GE specifically for toys or toy trains have short design lives. Typically 500 hours. Look for equivalent lamps for other services. They may have longer design lives, maybe 5000 hours. To do this you will probably have to find an old GE miniature lamp catalog.
When substituting lamps different from what Lionel recommended be careful not to increase the rates wattage. The higher wattage will result in a hotter lamp, which can damage things.
My fix is usually LED upgrades.
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