Correct/Original Pullman & Observation Car Lights

[phillyreading]

Measure your transformer output in volts with no load, but I think that 14.4 volts would be high enough not to have problems with the bulbs. Most transformers put out between 15 to 21 volts, but with motor power need and resistance in the tracks, the 14.4 volt bulbs should work OK.

Lee F.

[j.mel]

Thanks Again Lee,

 I will keep this in mind. Do you think the 14.4 volts is adequit or should I go up to a 18 volt for the cars?

John

[phillyreading]

John,

This is mainly something related, Radio Shack sells 14.4 volt bulbs that have either a screw in base or bayonette style base. They are not original replacement style but they look better than the Mazda lights and don't need the extra clearance.

Lee F.

[j.mel]

Thanks for all the info. Lee & CW. Now  I know the rest of the story.

I will use a globe type,screw base bulb to replace these GE Mazda Bulbs as they burn out.

John

[cwburfle]

j.mel

Thanks CW,

 So what you are saying is that these GE/Mazda lights where used by people for replacements but they are not orginal to the trains set from Lionel?

 I would like to keep the bulbs original if I can.

John

They are christmas tree light bulbs. Lionel did not use any Christmas Tree bulbs in their trains.
As I wrote eariler, it is very common to find christmas tree bulbs in toy trains because they do work.

[phillyreading]

j.mel

Thanks CW,

 So what you are saying is that these GE/Mazda lights where used by people for replacements but they are not orginal to the trains set from Lionel?

John

Basically that's it!  I have a 249E that had a Mazda light bulb in it for the headlight, a red one. FYI, the mazda lights were used with seven to a string in series on 120 volts or about 17.3 volts AC each. The box from GE has on it to use seven or eight bulbs in series on 110 to 125 volts AC.

Sometimes the original light bulbs can get expensive, if they are a rare bulb or a smoke pellit bulb.

Lee F.

[j.mel]

Thanks CW,

 So what you are saying is that these GE/Mazda lights where used by people for replacements but they are not orginal to the trains set from Lionel?

 I would like to keep the bulbs original if I can.

John

[j.mel]

Thanks Lee,

 I think I would like to keep these fluted lights in my cars for their originality, I have one burned out one, but I know of a person who has more of these style lights that he will sell to me. I run my trains usually no more than 14 volts,(scale on Lionel KW Transformer), and that is realy pushing it.

 I realy think that these fluted bulbs had to be one of the orginal types of bulbs Lionel used in these cars and if they are, I would like to try to keep them original as long as I can.

John

.

[phillyreading]

The fluted style or old time christmas light bulb is a G.E. Mazda light; that can take up to 18 volts A.C. safely, but gets hot quickly at that voltage, 15 volts works well with them. Also the old Mazda lights, had at least five colors they came in, are out of production! The old Mazda lights came in sets of seven lights to a string and wired in series, so when one bulb burnt out you had to keep going down the string of lights until it lit-up again.

Use a clear bulb from Lionel or a hobby store that has a screw in base.

What was the original light bulb in the 610 or 612? I have no idea, but I suspect it has a round shape to it. You could sub. a light bulb from an 022 switch from postwar time.

Lee F.

[cwburfle]

It is very common to find prewar trains with christmas lights, as yours has.

In general, Lionel used #430, #432,  and/or 1455 bulbs.
See the thread about 252 and 254 locos.

[j.mel]

Does anyone know what the correct/original interrior light bulbs were for the Lionel #610 and #612 pullman/observation cars?

One set of cars I have bulbs that look like minature old time Christmas Tree Light Bulbs but they are fluted on their sufaces and frost white, I have seen this same type of bulb on at least four other sets of the above mentioned cars.

The other cars I have came with a red, verticle, tube type of bulbs. These red bulbs match the red interrior of the cars. I have never seen these bulbs on other sets.

 I am wondering if both these types of bulbs are origianl types Lionel used in these cars, I definitely think the fluted,minature old style, Christmas Tree bulbs are original to the cars.

Thanks

John