Lionel train light bulb chart

Last Updated on February 23, 2019 by Dave Farquhar

Lionel used 15 different types of light bulbs in its O gauge electric trains in the postwar era, but in most cases–87% of catalog numbers, and a lot more than that in actual number of items produced–you can get by with two. Since knowing when can be difficult, here’s a Lionel train light bulb chart.

Lionel almost always specified 14 or 18 volts. Using an 18-volt bulb in place of a 14-volt original, or a 22-volt bulb in place of an 18-volt original results in longer service life. And there were two base types that Lionel used more than any other.

lionel train light bulb chart
Lionel re-used a lot of the same bulbs throughout its history.

Literally 87% of Lionel catalog numbers used either an E10 Edison screw-type base or a BA9S bayonet base. If the bulb screws in, it’s an E10. If it twists in, it’s a BA9S. When in doubt, get a G3.5, 18V bulb with the appropriate base, like the screw-in 1447 or the bayonet 1445. It may not be a perfect match for what was there, but it will work and do no harm. The same rule applies to Marx and American Flyer as well. If you have a burned-out bulb, rather than a missing one, and the G3.5 looks too small, step up to a G4.5.

Sourcing bulbs locally can be difficult if you don’t have a well-stocked hobby shop nearby. You can try an auto parts store or hardware store, and you’ll have better luck with an Ace or True Value or an independent than with a big-box store. The longer the store has been there, the better the chances it will have something usable.

You may come across 12v bulbs of the right size, since those would be useful for flashlights. They will burn out quickly if you run them at 14 or 18 volts. Many hobbyists use 12v bulbs, but be sure to adjust the voltage on your transformer to ensure you’re not delivering any more than 12 volts to it.

Suitable bulbs are still easy to find online, fortunately.

Lionel often used red and green bulbs. The plastic coverings on modern replacements tend to really dim the light. Some hobbyists take clear bulbs and dip them in translucent paint from a craft store to color them, which gives a more pleasing color than green or red plastic will.

Below I have collected a table of common Lionel items and the bulbs they use, along with the specs on each bulb, and, if I could find one, links to suppliers. For odd bulbs that are no longer available, substitute something that fits of higher voltage.

catalog#Descriptionbulb #notessizebasevoltagelinksecond or alt
0-22Remote Control Switch (pre-1950)1447G3.5E1018GraingerTrainz
0-22Remote Control Switch (after 1950)1445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
0-22Cswitch controller432red and greenG4.5E1018red
0-42Manual Switch (pre-1950)1447G3.5E1018Trainz
0-42Manual Switch (after 1950)1445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
26Bumper363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
35Lamp Post1445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
44USA Missile Launcher19redG3.5G4.814Trainz
45USMC Missile Launcher19redG3.5G4.814Trainz
45NGateman1449redG3.5E1014red
52Fire Fighting Car57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
60Trolley363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
68Executive Inspection Car19qty 2G3.5G4.814Trainz
70Yard Light363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
71Lamp Post363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
91Circuit Breaker363qty 2G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
112Remote Control Switch19qty 2G3.5G4.814Trainz
112RRemote Control Switch19G3.5G4.814Trainz
114Newsstand with Horn363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
115Stop Station432G4.5E1018Trainz
118Newsstand with Whistle363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
128Animated Newsstand363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
132Stop Station57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
133Freight Station57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
140Banjo Signal363redG3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
145Gateman57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
148Dwarf Signal19red and greenG3.5G4.814greenred
151Semaphore363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
152Crossing Gate431redG4.5BA9S14Trainz
153Block Signal (pre-1950)50red and greenG3.5E108redgreen
153Block Signal (post-1950)363red (qty2)G3.5BA9S14red
154Highway Signal (pre-1950)1449red (qty2)G3.5E1014red
154Highway Signal (after 1950)363red (qty2)G3.5BA9S14red
155Ringing Signal363red (qty2)G3.5BA9S14red
156Station Platform50qty 2G3.5E108GraingerTrainz
157Station Platform51G3.5BA9S8GraingerTrainz
163Block Signal19red and greenG3.5G4.814greenred
164Lumber Loader1449G3.5E1014GraingerTrainz
165Magnetic Gantry Crane1445redG3.5BA9S18red
175Rocket Launcher363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
182Magnetic Gantry Crane1445redG3.5BA9S18red
192Control Tower363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
193Flashing Water Tower51qty8G3.5BA9S8GraingerTrainz
195Floodlight Tower12G3.5G4.86Trainz
199Microwave Tower402T0-13/4012Trainz
200Alco363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
202UP Alco FA-2363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
204Santa Fe Alco FA-2363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
205MP Alco FA-2363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
208Santa Fe Alco FA-2363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
209NH Alco FA-2363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
210Texas Special Alco FA-2363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
211Texas Special Alco57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
212AAlco363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
212PMC Alco FA-2363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
216Burlington Alco FA-2363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
217PB&M Alco57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
218PSanta Fe Alco FA-257G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
219PMP Alco57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
220Santa Fe Alco FA-257G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
221NYC Empire State1449G3.5E1014GraingerTrainz
222Rio Grande Alco57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
224PAlco57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
225C&O Alco FA57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
226B&M Alco FA57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
227CN Alco57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
228CN Alco FA57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
230C&O Alco57G4.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
233Scout12G3.5G4.86Trainz
235Scout51G3.5BA9S8GraingerTrainz
236Scout12G3.5G4.86Trainz
237Scout12G3.5G4.86Trainz
238Scout12G3.5G4.86Trainz
239Scout12G3.5G4.86Trainz
240Scout12G3.5G4.86Trainz
241Scout12G3.5G4.86Trainz
242Scout51G3.5BA9S8GraingerTrainz
243Scout12G3.5G4.86Trainz
244Scout12G3.5G4.86Trainz
245Scout51G3.5BA9S8GraingerTrainz
246Scout51G3.5BA9S8GraingerTrainz
247B&O Scout12G3.5G4.86Trainz
250Pennsylvania Scout363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
252Crossing Gate363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
253Block Signal12red and greenG3.5G4.86use #19 bulbs
256Station Platform363G3.5BA9S14GraingerTrainz
262Highway Signal19red (qty2)G3.5G4.814Trainz
299Code Transmitter Set402T0-13/4012Trainz
313Bascule Bridge1445qty 2G3.5BA9S18Trainz
334Dispatching Board57qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
350Transfer Table12clear and redG3.5G4.86
353Block Signal19red and greenG3.5G4.814red
356Freight Station57G4.5BA9S14Trainz
364Log Loader363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
365Dispatching Station363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
394Rotary Beacon394qty4G5E1014
395Floodlight Tower51G3.5BA9S8Trainz
400Budd Rail Car-157qty 3G4.5BA9S14Trainz
404Budd Rail Car-457qty 3G4.5BA9S14Trainz
410Blinking Billboard51G3.5BA9S8Trainz
415Fueling Station363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
445Switch Tower363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
450Signal Bridge363red and greenG3.5BA9S14
452Overhead Gantry Signal363red and greenG3.5BA9S14
455Oil Derrick363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
456Coal Ramp Set363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
465Dispatching Station363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
494Rotary Beacon363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
602NW-2363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
611JC Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
613UP Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
614Alaska Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
616ATSF Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
617Seaboard Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
622GM Bell Switcher363qty 2G3.5BA9S14Trainz
623ATSF Switcher363qty 2G3.5BA9S14Trainz
624C&O Switcher363qty 2G3.5BA9S14Trainz
625LV 44 Ton Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
626B&O 44 Ton Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
627LV 44 Ton Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
628NP 44 Ton Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
629Burlington 44 Ton Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
633Santa Fe Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
637Prairie1445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
646Hudson1445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
665ATSF Hudson363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
671Pennsylvania Turbine1447G3.5E1018Trainz
671RElectronic Pennsylvania Turbine1447G3.5E1018Trainz
671RRPennsylvania Turbine1447G3.5E1018Trainz
675K51447G3.5E1018Trainz
681Pennsylvania Turbine1447G3.5E1018Trainz
682Pennsylvania Turbine1447G3.5E1018Trainz
685ATSF Hudson363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
726Berkshire1447G3.5E1018Trainz
726RRBerkshire1447G3.5E1018Trainz
736Berkshire1447G3.5E1018Trainz
746N&W J19G3.5G4.814
773Hudson 19501447G3.5E1018Trainz
773Hudson 19641447G3.5E1018Trainz
1001Scout51G3.5BA9S8Trainz
1050Scout51G3.5BA9S8Trainz
1055Alco Texas Special363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
1060Scout51G3.5BA9S8Trainz
1061Scout51G3.5BA9S8Trainz
1062Scout51G3.5BA9S8Trainz
1065Alco UP363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
1101Columbia1449G3.5E1014Trainz
1110Scout51G3.5BA9S8Trainz
1120Scout51G3.5BA9S8Trainz
1121Remote Control Switch363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
1121CController363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
1122Remote Control Switch363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
1122Controller363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
1130Scout363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
1615Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
1625Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
1654Columbia1449G3.5E1014Trainz
1655Columbia1449G3.5E1014Trainz
1656Switcher1449G3.5E1014Trainz
1665Switcher1449G3.5E1014Trainz
1666Prairie363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
1666ELocomotive363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
1862General191T1-1/4SX5s16
1872General191T1-1/4SX5s16
1882General191T1-1/4SX5s16
2016Prairie363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2018Prairie363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2020Pennsylvania Turbine1447G3.5E1018Trainz
2023UP Alco363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2025K51447G3.5E1018Trainz
2026Prairie363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2028GP757G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2029Prairie363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2031Rock Island Alco363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2032Erie Alco363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2033UP Alco363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2034Scout363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2035K51447G3.5E1018Trainz
2036Prairie1445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2037Prairie1445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2046Hudson1445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2055ATSF Hudson363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2056Hudson1445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2065ATSF Hudson363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2240Wabash F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2242New Haven F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2243Santa Fe F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2245Texas Special F-31445qty 2G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2321EL FM Trainmaster57qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2322Virginian FM Trainmaster57qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2328Burlington GP757qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2329Virginian Rectifier57qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2330Pennsylvania GG1363qty 2G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2331Virginian FM Trainmaster57qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2332Pennsylvania GG1363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2333Santa Fe F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2333NYC F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2334NYC F-31445qty 2G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2337Wabash GP757qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2338Milwaukee Road GP757qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2339Wabash GP757qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2340Pennsylvania GG1363qty 2G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2341JC FM Trainmaster57G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2343Santa Fe F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2344NYC F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2345Western Pacific F-31445qty 2G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2346B&M GP957qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2348M&SL GP957qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2349NP GP957qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2350New Haven Rectifier57qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2351Milwaukee Rectifier57qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2352Pennsylvania Rectifier57G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2353Santa Fe F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2354NYC F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2355Western Pacific F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2356Southern F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2358Great Northern F-31445qty 2G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2359B&M GP957qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2360Pennsylvania GG1363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
2363Illinois Central F-31445qty 2G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2365C&O GP757G4.5BA9S14Trainz
2367Wabash F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2368B&O F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2373Canadian Pacific F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2378Milwaukee Road F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2379Rio Grande F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2383Santa Fe F-31445G3.5BA9S18Trainz
2420Caboose with Searchlight8010qty 2proprietaryproprietary14
2671Wtender1449G3.5E1014Trainz
3434Operating Chicken Car57qty 2G4.5BA9S14Trainz
3435Aquarium Car57G4.5BA9S14Trainz
3512Fireman and Ladder Car363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
3520Rotating Searchlight Car363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
3530Generator Car363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
3535Security Car363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
3540Radar Search Car19G3.5G4.814
3620Rotating Searchlight Car363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
3650Searchlight Extension Car363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
6110Scout51qty 2G3.5BA9S8Trainz
6220GM Bell Switcher363qty 2G3.5BA9S14Trainz
6250Seaboard Switcher363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
6403Btender1449G3.5E1014Trainz
6420Caboose with Searchlight8010proprietaryproprietary14
6520Searchlight Car363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
KWtransformer51G3.5BA9S8Trainz
LWtransformer363G3.5BA9S14Trainz
RWtransformer51G3.5BA9S8Trainz
SWtransformer12G3.5G4.86
TWtransformer363qty 2G3.5BA9S14Trainz
Vtransformer51qty 2G3.5BA9S8Trainz
VWtransformer51qty 2G3.5BA9S8Trainz
Ztransformer51qty 2G3.5BA9S8Trainz
ZW (250W)transformer51qty 2G3.5BA9S8Trainz
ZW (275W)transformer51qty 2G3.5BA9S8Trainz
ZW Type Rtransformer1445qty 2G3.5BA9S18Trainz

Consider LEDs

You might also consider LEDs for your Lionel trains. LEDs last longer and require less current to run.

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