Need to animate an engine shed, so I put a simulated arc welder inside. Can’t see the welding, just the reflected random flashing. total project cost about $5 - http://arduinotronics.blogspot.com/2016/11/arduino-model-railroading-arc-welder.html
Technology is nice. Love it.
I did that about sixteen years ago with an old small transistor radio, small audio cable into the headphone socket and a 1.5 volt micro light bulb. Found a suitable radio station. Very random flickering.
Another radio on an unused FM station frequency gave a very nice hiss for a dam on the layout.
Rich