Where are you getting replacement light bulbs (incandescent) these days?

Most bulbs can be found for a fraction of the price at your local auto parts store. Get the PN and look with the clerk at the store. Most where used in flashlights as well. The tough bulbs to get are the oversized ones, and the ones dipped in paint.

town and country hobbies  You could try here

auto lumination  or here.

If you are interested in purchasing bulbs in bulk, you might want to try these folks.

Miniature Lamp Works

I have gotten them from here too: http://www.traindoctor.com/service/bulbs.asp

Rick

rattler21 posted:

topbulb If they don't have it, you don't need it.  John

They don't have a translucent green 432 bulb for an O22 switch controller.  I need one.

Steven J. Serenska

P.S. Miniature Lamp Works posted by CWB above looks to be an incredible resource.  Very cheap prices.

Steven, I replaced the bulbs in my O22 switches with these, less energy, less heat....http://www.trainaidsa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=56&products_id=236

Rick

Rick:

Thanks.  I understand about the switches, but these are for the O22C controllers.  I'd like them to look original.

SJS

Here is where I've purchased them.

1000Bulbs.com

I buy them the same place I buy everything else in PW, ttender.com

Attachment shows catalog lines for O22 controller bulbs.

Ranger Rick posted:

Steven, I replaced the bulbs in my O22 switches with these, less energy, less heat....http://www.trainaidsa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=56&products_id=236

Rick

I use the LEDs from TrainAidsA as well. They are the good bulbs, 18 volt AC or DC and were the least expensive I found for these types of LEDs. I use them in the Lionel die cast bumpers and some Lionel yard lights.

They were not taking orders a while back, but it appears they may be taking them again now? At least I no longer saw any messages stating otherwise anyway. I may try to order some more tomorrow.

Paul,

   I purchase my bulbs in all kinds of different manners, from the Auto Parts store, Town & Country Hobbies, 1000 bulbs, Train Doc, Tender and Train Electrics.Com  Further I keep all the different companies that supply bulbs, in my favorites column on the computer, for quick reference. Finding the new LED's can be as problem at times, for our older Conventional Trains. Right now I am looking for the new LED that will fit my Black & Gold 1977  NP9268 Lionel Northern Pacific Caboose.  

PCRR/Dave

I just found 12 volt bulbs, that screw into Marx engines for headlights, at Menards, while other closer big box home stores did not have them, (and I was asking about old flashlights).  I was on the way to a hardware store when I took a chance on Menards.  I should check HW store, too,  just to be informed on local sources.  Dunno about 18 volt.

Thanks everyone. I am looking for 24 V 4 W screw in type bulbs.

Paul,  there is probably some variance as the type of bulbs used in these controllers, but the Lionel replacement manual lists the green bulb as 408-45 and the red as 28-6, both are 18 volt lamps. You probably already know this though. I have quite a few controllers that I do not use...they seem rather bulky to me, so I wire up simple on-off switches to operate them...and I was going to offer the bulbs from the controllers  to you, but I am pretty sure they are 18 volt bulbs.

Rick

The GE bulb number that Lionel used was 432, which is an 18 volt, .25 amp, screw based bulb with a G4-1/2 glass.

The suffixes "R" and "G" mean red and green (opaque)
The suffixes "TR" and "TG" mean transparent red and green
I've seen bulbs that appear to be original in both finishes.

I have also seen GE bulb boxes marked "OR" for opaque red.

1455 bulbs were commonly substituted for 432 bulbs at one time. I still see them on EBay, misidentified as 432.
Madison Hardware (NYC) painted them, and sold them as clear, opaque red and opaque green. They also put a dimple in the top. and sold them as beacon bulbs.

1455 bulbs are also 18 volt, .25 amp screw based bulbs, but they have a G5 glass.

The beacon bulbs don't work very well because the dimples are poorly formed and the bulb just doesn't get hot enough.

Here are some Lionel bulb charts

Paul,

   As you go along I recommend replacing all these original bulbs with LED's works like a charm.

PCRR/Dave

I modify my 022 controllers.
I cut a slit in the bar on the underside on the controller, separating the lamp contacts from the switch contact. Then I solder a diode across the slit, and relocate the ground wire from the lamp contact side to the switch side.
The bulbs then have their power reduced by the diode, but the switch (and switch machines) get full voltage.
There is a side effect: the bulbs will flicker as the train passes over the switch. But I like the effect.

I also put a diode in series with the bulb that is inside the 022 switch machine.

Miniature Lamp works sells #2432 screw base, 24 volt, large globe bulbs.

They seem to be available in clear, red, or green; in lots of 50 or 100.