Headlight Question

[stokesda]

I want to replace the headlight bulb in my steam loco. I remember reading (or hearing?) somewhere that an amber bulb will give a more prototypical look than a white bulb. Is there any truth to that? Thoughts, comments?

Cheers,

[orsonroy]

A bulb's a bulb. So long as you don't add too much juice to it, it should give a realistic glow (use a resistor if necessary to drop the voltage). The problem with steamers comes with LEDs. White LEDs are too white, and most yellows actually come out amber or orange. The blue Bachmann tried on their heavy 4-8-2 is completely wrong!

[Don Gibson]

'Yellow bulbs are avilable as are Amber MV lens' - and yes they are more realistic.
One can also dip clear bulbs in Tamiya Amber/Yellow transparent paint.
I prefer the Ylo bulb with 'clear' MV lens, but all these work.
For some reason Steam engines had powerful, but yellowish headlights.

[Don Gibson]

'Yellow bulbs are avilable as are Amber MV lens' - and yes they are more realistic.
One can also dip clear bulbs in Tamiya Amber/Yellow transparent paint.
I prefer the Ylo bulb with 'clear' MV lens, but all these work.
For some reason Steam engines had powerful, but yellowish headlights.