Older cars with TMCC or Legacy

Never heard that although it's a good idea to replace 18v bulbs with a higher voltage bulb to keep them from burning out When using a constant 18v In cars that have them off track power. 

One of the reasons I like LED conversions is to eliminate the issue of bulb heat.  Even with 18 volt bulbs, with 18 volts of track power, they're generating several watts of heat, enough to melt plastic shells.

Some of the older lighted cars were produced pre-command control hence they were not intended to be operated at full 18volts. I know the early K-Line smoking cabooses had an issue with the smoke unit melting roofs.

After command control was in common use the manufactures re-designed their lighted units to prevent damage from operating on the higher voltages.

I wonder how the Williams passenger cars are configured, looks like they all have the same type bulbs.

I use the Williams passenger cars for my Lionel TMCC and Legacy.

Funny thing, my MTH Premier passenger cars are very hot, and they came out during PS2.

Many of the passenger cars that came out well after TMCC still had 12-14 volt bulbs and heat issues.  Just because it's modern, that doesn't mean it won't have a heat issue.

Either do the LED conversion,John suggested or insert a diode in series to the bulbs in the same direction from each pickup roller. This would effectively cut voltage to the bulbs in half.

Various LED circuits are here,at least the way I do it.

www.jcstudiosinc.com/BlogCategoryMain?catId=426

Dale H

I have a set of the MTH PRR Woodside passenger cars and they do not get hot. In fact the lighting is rather dim compared to my Lionel PRR scale Congressional Cars.

If you do not want to go the LED route just put in 24 volt bulbs and you should be fine.

I hope I am not doing something wronmg that is causing mine to be hot.

I had posted a link a month or 2 ago about a advertiser who actually has "LED Bulbs" you just screw in.

I forget the name but I am going to search and order them asap.

I doubt you're doing something wrong.  Despite comments to the contrary, this is a real issue with many passenger cars and lighted cabooses.  Some have better designs for the lighting, and don't have the overheating issue with 18 volt track power, others will cook the bulbs, and if you're unlucky, more than the bulbs.

Town and Country sells both bayonet and screw bulbs with built in LED's that include the correct resister. Basically plug and play.