Lionel 022 switch

You can put a diode or some form of resistor in line with the lamps to reduce current.  You can also buy led bulbs from here:  http://www.autolumination.com/trainbulbs_leds.htm

you can also widen the whole on the top of the lamp cover so it breathes a little more with a small drill.  

I switched to LED bulbs. I order mine on ebay. They take a little longer to ship but they worked great. They are not quite as bright as standard bulbs but they don't generate any heat and should last a long time:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330948...e=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

If you don't want to go the LED route you can install 24 volt lamps (available from the Train Tender, and others).  At 14-18 volts they don't get so hot as to melt the hoods.

The 1445 is the correct bulb.  I have found substantial differences among bulbs in the brightness & heat generated.  I recently built a layout for a grandson, using many of my old 022 switches.  I obtained direct replacement LEDs for switches and controllers from Town & Country Hobbies, from their booth at York to save shippiong.  Work fine---no heat.

We also used LED replacement bulbs. They make a few different types with one being an "inverted lens" that is supposed to shoot the light out of the sides of the bulb rather than the top. Since the colored lenses are to the sides, this would seem like a perfect bulb to use. However, I tried them and really didn't see much of an improvement over the regular LED replacement bulbs.

The good thing is that they use a lot less power and they don't get hot.

I changed out all my Lionel switches to LED's I had picked up at a train show two years ago at $1.00 each...

They're bright, and shine out the sides like a normal bulb,   I didn't bother to get the guy's name or the bulb manufacturer when I bought them.    As it turned out, a BIG mistake..  I could use more.   Have not seen that type of bulb around anywhere  since.    Point is, the correct replacement LED is out there somewhere..

Joe

I bought two brand new Lionel illuminated lockons and the bulbs melted the green covers. I wrote to Lionel about it asking why they put 12 volt incandescent bulbs into product that could see 16 to 18 volts easily. I got a curt email back saying there was no warranty on the lockons.

If you are in Houston, Ace Electronics on Antione just south of 34th has LED's which will drop in.  They are also goog in locomotives and 2400/2500 passenger cars.

Bill 

I had the same melting issue with the Lighted lockon. I just happened to have an extra green cover and switched to an LED bulb.

KNEEFIXED,

Welcome to the best forum on the Net!

    These men are giving you some good advise, LED bulbs in both the Track Side and in the Manual Controllers eliminate the longevity heat problems, as RJR points out Town & Country on the Net, has the LED's that fit the 022, 711 & 072 switches.   Before Lionel came out with FasTrack Command Control Switches, I used all these older Lionel switches, set up correctly they work absolutely perfectly, especially with my Tin Plate Trains.  However their draw back is the massive power it takes to operate them.  I used an old ZW to vary the power input to them for perfect operation, however the KW will operate them quite well, once you replace all the 1445's with LED's

PCRR/Dave