...and yes Les, I have the soldering part covered.  It was my questions about the bulbs/resistors/diodes that I needed the help with.   Thanks again for your time and patience. 

Thank you very much Les, that is the add'l info I was looking for.

And I really do appreciate Rich's help as well, I really do.  He's been helpful on a few other subjects so far as well.  I don't know why he took my frustration as an insult and decided to act punitively by wiping away the sites he had given to me just previously.  But, he really did NOT provide me with the answers I was seeking-just basically told me to go off and look for answers, which defeats the purpose of my taking the time to come here and post the question.

I don't know why Jeff Ward never bothered to post a reply since he's been posting elsewhere since this afternoon.  I directed this to him, bc he always seems to know his stuff when it comes to electronics.  Of course, I am not saying others don't, no, not by any stretch. 

I  have to say, obviously, that I am frustrated with what I am sensing is a lack of spirit of cooperation and assistance from this discussion board.  Not in all cases, certainly not.  But, it seems to me that unless you are a member of the "club" or have 50+ years under your belt, no one wants to know ya.  This place appears to me to be more of place for people to top each other on what they know and what they can show the other guy, doesn't know.  That is not what I thought it was all about.  Sad. 

You didn't give me the answer, punitive jerk.
And didn't you see that I said thank you, before you decided to be a punitive jerk.  Thanks for sharing (or should I say coveting) your worldly knowledge. 

...and I did mean to say thank you Rich, for the sites.  Reading them now.

Why is it so difficult to get help here on this discussion board?  This is really a simple, simple question, for all the experts out there.  I don't how much more detail I can give about what I am looking to do, which even I know, is simple-directional lighting.

Seems like if I want to know the name of song; I could get the answer;
Seems like if If I wanted to know if spray paint can be used to paint my cars; I could get the answer;
Seems like if I wanted to know how to set up a blinking red light, using a teddy bear, bailing wire and 1.5 volt battery; I could get the answer;
Seems like if I wanted to know what wires to use from my power pack and where to hook them up (uh AC or DC?); I could get the the answer;

C' mon guys.   A little help???

Yes, running the loco on DC.

Don't feel I quiet have all my answers yet guys.

Rich, sorry, but have no idea what you mean by "ma".  I see bulbs at Radio Shack listed in volts or watts.

Thank you very much for your reply Les.  I did not know that about LEDs as I have only previous experience with incandescents.  Does it matter which leg of the LED that I attach the resistor to?   And is there any visible way to tell which leg of the LED is which?  Do you have a suggestion of what voltage LED to get for what I have in mind.
Thanks again for your help with my project.

Jward, you obviously know your electrical stuff and I hope you can help me with this project.  I did search on previous topics on this and found Desertdweller's post of 11/3/12 but found I still had some questions.

    What I want to do is install directional lighting on an Athearn Blue Box GP60 using a piece of brass "c" channel that I solder to the top copper clip of the motor.  I want to use 2 led light bulbs and know I need to get 2 diodes, one for each light that will get attached to one leg of each light.
     One of my questions is: do I need to be concerned with whether I attach the diodes to the + leg of each bulb?  Another question: do you have a suggestion about what voltage leds I should get?  A third question: would I also need resistors?

I was hoping to tap into that vast knowledge of yours and that you are willing to share it.
Thanks for your help.   And of course, if anyone else wants to lend their advice, I would be happy for it.

Thanks again Rich.

I have heard of or read about Pioneer Valley at one time.  It is off of Route 20?

Thanks Rich I'll check it out.
And good call on the K & S and hobby shop tip.  I called my LHS an indeed they do carry the stuff, supplied by K & S!
Thanks again.

Richg-I used to work in Springfield and do not live very far from the Big E either.
Never been to the show, but was planning on taking my son to it so we can both go bonkers!

If I strike out at the hardware store (one of my favorite places) and the hobby shop, then I will look to those on line sights.  I saw that VCS place yesterday TimR when I was hunting around.  I wanted to see if anyone had any other suggestions of where to look before I began my quest.  Thank you all again.  Have a great day!

Thank you all.

The problem with my trying to patronize my LHS which I would luv to do, is that he has very little HO or train stuff period.  For him is it almost all RC stuff.

Does anyone know where I can find brass "C" channel strips, 1/4" wide or even a little less and 6" or more long?
Thanks for the help.