Single switch controller bulb confusion

Mike it looks like something is missing, these controllers are supposed to have a lamp base for a screw type bulb.

Here's a google link showing some images of this type of controller.

https://www.google.com/search?...client=firefox-b-1-d

About the sixth row down is an image of one like yours in an ebay listing, where you can see the bulb base.

@SteveH posted:

Mike it looks like something is missing, these controllers are supposed to have a lamp base for a screw type bulb.

Here's a google link showing some images of this type of controller.

https://www.google.com/search?...client=firefox-b-1-d

About the sixth row down is an image of one like yours in an ebay listing, where you can see the bulb base.

Thanks!  I cannot find the correct ebay link on my phone.  Can you please send me the ebay link?

It's really weird.  There appears to be nothing broken, damaged or missing.  And I have three of these all from different switch purchases.

Mike, since we're not supposed to post ebay links here on the forum, I sent it to the email listed in your profile.

I don't have any of these controllers for comparison. Without additional parts not shown in your picture, I can't imagine how these would work. Are there any electrical components in the bakelite cover/housing?

As you probably know, bulbs need at least two connections to illuminate.  This is definitely puzzling.  If no one else is able to definitively answer this, maybe you could look on the Trainz.com parts site to see if you can find better pictures.

@SteveH posted:

Mike, since we're not supposed to post ebay links here on the forum, I sent it to the email listed in your profile.

I don't have any of these controllers for comparison. Without additional parts not shown in your picture, I can't imagine how these would work. Are there any electrical components in the bakelite cover/housing?

As you probably know, bulbs need at least two connections to illuminate.  This is definitely puzzling.  If no one else is able to definitively answer this, maybe you could look on the Trainz.com parts site to see if you can find better pictures.

I think you are correct Steve.  I bet the bulb holder got separated from the bottom piece.

I have a screw bulb holder to look at and can see how that could happen.

It was just weird that all three of these switch controllers had that happen.

Guys,

I think that this is a marketing issue, not a technical one.  What I've heard is that as things got bad Lionel Corp., or maybe it was MPC later, decided to market turnouts having electrical control switches that have NO lamps in them.

It was apparently thought to be a way to save a few cents at the time.

Mike

Well that's just ... , to put it nicely; wow!

Well that would certainly make sense from my perspective.  Lol

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Guys,

I think that this is a marketing issue, not a technical one.  What I've heard is that as things got bad Lionel Corp., or maybe it was MPC later, decided to market turnouts having electrical control switches that have NO lamps in them.

It was apparently thought to be a way to save a few cents at the time.

Mike

Well, the final generation of Lionel switch controller looked like this...

The OPs controller is an earlier step along the path.

I thought mine had lights.  They are PW.  I see lots of listings with bulbs. 

I have no idea at this point.  Lol