Flashing bulb for Lionel 315?

Hi Andrew:

I always wanted one of those post-war bridges but never got one.  I have a modern version and just replaced the lamp.  But I doubt if it would be usable on the original. 

The post-war bulb chart says the #315 came with a L431 which was a non-blinking clear bayonet base bulb which was then replaced by a #57.  I have some large globe red blinking bayonet base lamps but IMO they blink too fast to look good on a bridge.  

You might try one of the big train bulb dealers like Town & Country Hobbies or Ralph the Bulb Guy.  They both go to York and have tables in the Orange Hall so they will be there later this week if you are going.

BTW I taped the PSU spring game yesterday but haven’t watched it yet.

HTH,     

Bill 

LEDs are made in blinking versions. All you would need is a diode and an appropriately sized resistor.

Maybe the folks who make LEDs that fit into toy train bulb sockets, have some blinking ones.

Since a 431 is a bayonet based, G4-1/2 bulb, rated at 14 volts, .25 amps, you can use a #257 flashing bulb. It also has a G4-1/2 glass, rated at 14 volts, .25 amps.

Lionel originally planned to use these bulbs (257) in the #52 fire car but decided against doing so. Still, they listed them as optional for the car, and sold the bulbs in Lionel packaging. Most parts dealers / toy train bulb suppliers should have them. They also had an automotive use, so some car parts stores may still have some.

C.W.

Actually the red blinking bulbs I was referring to in my post above that blink too quickly to look realistic on the top of a bridge were red bayonet-base #257.  Mine are about 20 years old so unless they have changed the design I just don’t think they would look good.  Also I had incorrectly said that I had used them in O22 switch controllers but those were #258 SCREW-based red blinking bulbs that I used in O22 switch controllers.  I have since deleted that reference from my post.

Bill

As far as I know the only difference between a 257 and a 258 bulb is the base.

257 is bayonet based, and 258 is screw based.

I doubt they've changed the design of either bulb. If they did, I'd expect the new bulbs to have a different number.

Perhaps somewhat related: has anyone ever used flashing bulbs for the 6-2162 Automatic Gate and signal? 

Bill:

I only have the post-war #262 version of that signal.  It uses small globe 2-pin bulbs (#19R).  What kind of bulbs does the modern version use? 

Regardless, I don’t know if anyone has made blinking bulbs in a small globe for toy train applications.  Plus they would flash on and off together rather than sequentially since the wires are in parallel with only one pickup.

Bill    

Doesn't the 2162 signal use red #19 bulbs?
The 2 pin base was a poor design, they only made it in a few styles, and declared it obsolete. Never made a flasher.

The styles of which I am aware:

10 - 2.5 volts

12 - 6.3 volts (Lionel used this one)

15 - 7.0 volts

19 - 14.4 volts (Lionel used this one too)

The #15 lamp has a G4-1/2 globe, the other three have G3-1/2 globes

I checked again and mine does have the two-pin bulbs as well. Must be a post-war.  I was trying to think of an easy way to make the bulbs flash, even if not alternately, when the gate goes down rather than both being on steadily when the gate is operating.

Thanks for the responses.

You might try Lionel part 8411-530 from the Canadian Pacific fire car. These are a 8 volt bulb, but if I remember there are separate binding posts on the bridge and you can connect to the lowest fixed voltage on your transformer.

quote:

I checked again and mine does have the two-pin bulbs as well. Must be a post-war.  I was trying to think of an easy way to make the bulbs flash, even if not alternately, when the gate goes down rather than both being on steadily when the gate is operating.

I had several older Modern Era Lionel crossing gates with lights. They used the two-pin bulbs.  Modern Era Lionel continued to use #12 and #19 bulbs for a while. They either found a source for them, or had a lot on hand.

The reissues of the #75 lamp post, #148 dwarf signal, and 195 light tower are a few examples. I am not certain when these units were redesigned to use other bulbs.

I even have a few two-pin bulbs from the Modern era Lionel parts department, still in the packaging Lionel used.

So, took a few days since I didn't have the bridge in my possession... The guy selling on eBay had screw-based bulbs (presumably for the pre-war variation of the bridge), I have a bayonet-based light on the bridge. I can't find video of the CP fire car in action, do you know how quickly it flashes? I like the ones in my video above, but obviously may not find that at this point.

Evan Designs has a nice blinking red LED, with all electronics included.  They come in several sizes.  I've had one in my Marx bubbling water tower for three years, now.  Works great.

Really trying not to use LEDs, the display is a postwar dealer display recreation, so the way incandescent bulbs illuminate and taper out is desired. 

quote:

The guy selling on eBay had screw-based bulbs (presumably for the pre-war variation of the bridge),

I am guessing you mean the fellow who was selling old stock GE #258 flashing bulbs. If so, Lionel never used them on anything.

If you would like, I have a few of those bulbs in stock. I can sell you one for 2.00 + mail if you want to experiment with one. If you want a slow steady flashing, a blinking bulb won't provide that effect. you will have to use a electronic circuit.