| For years lights used for both steam locomotives and | | | | Emitting Diode) which produces far great lumens and is |
| Diesels have been most inadequate. They varied in | | | | less vulnerable to electrical fluctuations. There are a |
| voltage from 1.5 VDC to 16 VDC. This made for very | | | | variety of LEDs that will work with an HO locomotive. |
| poor operation and many times the light bulbs would | | | | The standard sizes are 3mm to 5mm in diameter. |
| fail rather quickly. | | | | Basic colors are clear with a slight blue out put or the |
| Even though many manufacturing companies of Brass | | | | slightly yellow or soft output. However, LEDs come in |
| Locomotives and Plastic Locomotives still use the | | | | a variety of colors. The new Kato plastic models out |
| electric light bulb the circuitry is far more complicated | | | | of Japan use an amber light for their new engines. |
| and allows for some error in judgment due to light bulb | | | | Because of their brightness light being emitted is |
| voltages. The manufactures of all locomotives are | | | | excellent. |
| trying to standardize the type of voltage required to | | | | The change over from the standard light bulb to the |
| run the lights or in other words set the standard at 1.5 | | | | LED is simple and easy to do. The wires coming out of |
| VDC. | | | | the LED are stiff making it easier to solder to the wires |
| This is fine and well needed but there is a better | | | | and it has a tendency to hold the LED in the correct |
| solution to the problem. The electric light bulb is | | | | position when installed into the locomotive. Modelers will |
| generally low in light out put and still will fail more often | | | | find the addition of the LED to his or her locomotive to |
| than not. The best solution is to go to the LED (Light | | | | be superior to the traditional method. |