Lights, housing covers, etc...for O22 switches

[yallaen]

First, I have several O22 switches that I got off ebay. I want to thank you all for the help in getting Goo Gone and Scotchbrite pads to clean them up. I went from switches that were grimey and some rust to really clean pieces! I did notice one wire had come loose inside the motor housing area which I'll fix in the morning...

Now, I've read some items about the light bulbs, and this brings me to some more questions.

The bulbs for the switchs...were the same basically for the lighted switch levers? I know the ones for the levers were colored red and green, and the ones on the switch itself was clear..with green/red gel material in the bulb cover. So, I called my local hobby store, and got the strangest answer when I asked about replacement bulbs. He said they are not made anymore? And he said I needed to talk to his "service guy", because the new stuff is sent back to the manufacturer for replacement of lights, etc..?????!!!!!

So, can bulbs be replaced? I remember my original switches I had growing up had the 1/2 twist type of bulbs. The ones I picked up off ebay are screw in base. Can these be bought at Radio Shack, etc?

I tried to do a search for the LED replacement bulbs..but had no luck. What are these, and where can they be found?

Also, the plastic covers that cover the bulbs on the switches...any sources for these for replacements?

[mitchelr]

Here are a few links I have bookmarked for bulbs. You might also want to google for Lionel repair parts.

http://www.scottsodds-n-ends.com/LED_Lamps.htm

http://www.stanorrtrainparts.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/bulbs.html

http://www.hobbysurplus.com/trainbulbs.asp

Mitch[8D]

[msacco]

Okay, bulbs in the motor can either be screw or bayonnet. Bulbs in the controller are always screw, at least that's all i've ever seen.
As far as the original tranparent red and green bulbs for the controller they' can be found at York I've heard. But someone has recently told me how to make your own.
It's very easy and you use Delta's permenamel transparent glass paint.
I gave the bulbs two coats and you must let the paint cure for 10 days or so, but this paint can supposedly take heat. I say supposedly because I'm still drying my first batch and haven't tested them except for about a minute in the actual controller with power on.
They do look really nice though.
Here's the link to Delta's site. The paint can be had from Michael's craft store
http://www.deltacrafts.com/Paint/PermEnamel/xGlassPaint.asp

Mike S.

[Birds]

There are a number of locations, but a couple that seem to have quite a good inventory are:

Olsen's Toy trains (they have lots of great documentation too if you take the time to explore the site):
http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/

There is also "Train Repair Parts", which is a division of "Hobby Surplus":
http://www.hobbysurplus.com/trainrepairparts.asp

I use Lionel's website to look at an exploded view of the item for part numbers at this website (http://www.lionel.com/ForTheHobbyist/Findex.cfm) by clicking on the "Customer Service" tab on the second to the right, and then selecting "Parts List & Pictoral Diagrams" from the drop down menu.

Birds

[Chris F]

O-22 switch machines made prior to 1950 used lamps with threaded bases (#1447); newer switch machines used lamps with bayonet (half-twist) lamps.

O-22 switch controllers used #432R and #432G lamps (red and green, respectively).

If you can't find these locally, another source is
www.towncountryhobbies.com

The lamps are 40 cents each, but the shipping & handling charge is $7.50 (buy in bulk!). The lantern (cover) assembly, #711-54, is priced at $1.50.

[phillyreading]

Have you tried Radio Shack for the light bulbs? They have 14 volt and maybe 18 volt light bulbs that will fit inside the 022 switch housing for the clear light.
Lionel used to make 18 volt bulbs in green or red for the switch controls.
Try going to a train show and buying the light bulbs rather than paying for shipping.
Lee F.