Bulb replacement in Lionel 6-28052

That is a pilot mounted headlight, so you have to pull the bulb from the bottom after removing the pilot.  As far as using an LED in there, it's "possible", but it's not easy.  Due to the construction of the pilot mounting, there's not enough room for a standard LED.  What I do is remove the light assembly, drill a small hole in the back, and push the lens out with a thin punch.  Since the rear is not normally visible, the small hole doesn't detract from the appearance.  I then remove the number boards (if they're illuminated).  I use a Surface mount 3528 LED and glue it to the rear of the lamp housing with CA adhesive.  Of course, you have to insulate the wiring on the LED, I use liquid tape for that.  Finally, I reassemble the whole thing and wire it into the existing headlight circuit with a 470 ohm series resistor.

You will also need a .01uf capacitor directly across the lighting output from the R2LC to provide positive triggering of the lighting triac to insure the LED will work correctly.  I usually solder that right on the R2LC socket under the R2LC.

GRJ,

Would you need to install a choke to make the conversion about play nicely with DCS?

Thanks!

No choke just for a bulb replacement, however, some TMCC and Legacy locomotives do interfere with the DCS signal, for those I use a choke in the track power feed.

Thanks!