Lionel 8-bulb Flood light towers

Those old # 12 6volt bulbs are a oddity in today's world. Not used for much any more.

They are USA made, not in China, hence the high price for a single bulb. I'm sure it won't be long before they are no longer manufactured. All the new floodlight towers from the seventies on  use the small round plug in type.

Chuck, I sent you an email regarding the modern era floodlight tower bulbs. I have a whole bunch of them burnt out and haven't been able to find replacements.

I'm sitting on 9 of these.  If someone is interested in the lot make offer to email in the profile.

At least I now know what they are used in.  I don't own anything that uses them.

Jim

My 1975 edition of the GE miniature lamps catalog states:

quote:

Not recommended for new OEM applications - suggested for new designs are wedge based lamps such as GE Lamp Numbers 159, 259, and 161.

So these bulbs have been obsolete for a long time.

Jill Sisco sells bulbs in bulk at fairly attractive prices.

Until a couple of years ago, she still had #12 bulbs made by GE listed.

According to the most current price list, the bulbs that are now readily available are imports, and cost $22 for ten pieces.

http://www.miniaturelampworks....3%20Price%20List.pdf

I have seen these bulbs embossed with "GE" (General electric) or "TS" (Tung Sol) embossed on one side of the webbed base, and the bulb number on the opposite site.

I have also seen these bulbs with only the stock number embossed on one side.

It is my impression that those with the GE or TS markings are USA bulbs, and those without the markings are imports.

When purchasing 2 pin based bulbs, be aware that Lionel only used two styles:

#12, which is a 6 volt bulb

#19, which is a 12 volt bulb.

From time to time I see other 2 pin based bulbs listed on Ebay with a description indicating that they are for Lionel trains. They are not.

Hi Jeff      at the Railroad Museum of Long Island we replaced the two pin bulbs with LEDs purchased from Dan's Drum Heads. He has complete directions on how to covert and in the year since we replaced the bulbs we have had no problems. Dan has an E Bay site or can be reached via email (tdmaher@verizon.net). You do lose the ability to dim and they are not quite as bright but do last a long time! If you contact Dan let him know you got the info from Lenny at the Railroad Museum of Long Island. He also has converstions for the goose neck lamps.