The 110-wattLionel RW is a cheap option, and the 125-watt LW, while a bit more expensive, gives a bit more power. Connecticut Valley Railroad -- A Branch of the New York, New Haven, And Hartford. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. Because the runs are short and power demands so low, this fine wire poses no safety threat. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! And that means theyre affordable. Today, with some luck, you can get one for closer to $100. If you like, tell us more about yourself. A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life.". My layout I am building is 5 sheets of 4x8 plywood and it will probaly take me 100 years to build it (I hope I have that much time left). Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. I can remember a time when a Lionel ZW would set you back $275. Steve's rule of thumb for derating is very close to and in the same spirit as the NEC rule that an appliance may not draw more than 80 percent of the current rating of the outlet. For Lionel power the 45 watts is good for a 4 by 8 as a rule of thumb to compensate poor track you just use more feeders. Doug, there's definitely room for the liberal arts approach to the hobby--I have a journalism degree; how I became a computer technician was pretty much an accident. If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it! Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. Will get a Z4000 one day [this summer probably, unless I find a good deal on an older ZW] just to say I have one. UpBright 18V AC/DC Adapter Compatible with Lionel O Gauge Fastrack 10" Remote Control Terminal Straight LionChief System Track 6-1923100 HKYF45-180230T-US DC18V 2300mA 18VDC Power Supply Cord Charger. Reverse the above if planning to run mostly Lionel and go with the Lionel command system, either the full Legacy system or the upcoming CAB-1L and just add a Track Power Controller and a cable to run most MTH engines in conventional with the Lionel systems. However, if you begin adding more than 1 or 2 cars, be sure to get some extra track, or your longer train will be chasing its tail very quickly. Besides the train and track, accessories provide a lot of fun and animation to any setup. Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. I cant see you needing more than a capacity of 5 amps. What do I need to do that with? Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. If you have a starter set and have had thoughts like this, youre not alone. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). The good news is, Lionel made a lot of good transformers over the years. White and black are common selections. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. In most cases, because we are dealing with relatively low voltage and amperage and in a normally stable temperature and humidity climates, our wiring does not require any extra insulation. Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. If you're looking to only have one loop with multiple sidings then you'll only need 1 source of power for the whole layout. You don't want to try to solder even Number 16 gauge wire right to your rails, however. JavaScript is disabled. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. This is where the Lionel transformer comparisons should begin. Professionals Need: Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime: Prime Video Direct 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. Well Mike what I am about to suggest may be a little pricy or at least it was for me but I have managed to buy a new Lionel ZW. As the train goes by, the door to the shed opens and a figure pops out, and once the train has passed the figure re-enters the building and the door shuts. I have a basement that offers an 18" concrete ledge that goes around the entire perimeter of the house that lends itself perfectly to a neat layout. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. The CW-80 is a nice little transformer, has accessory output as well,but as you have stated you will outgrow the CW-80 pretty quick. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. For a classic setup of a single freight train running on a 48 sheet of plywood, a 90 watt Lionel 1033 or 1042 is an excellent choice. Scale cars almost always have the number 7 as the second digit in their number [17623, 27241, etc]. RemembertheVeterans. You can also run Lionel TMCC/Legacy Command Engines using the MTH DCS system with the addition of a Lionel command base and an additional cable. The larger wire is usually more expensive and more challenging to work with. Daniel Defense firearms, parts and accessories, http://www.modeltrainforum.com/showthread.php?t=9670, http://www.modeltrainforum.com/album.php?u=2334, 14X16 Switching style [url]http://www.modeltrainforum.com/showthread.php?t=8241, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkMHvbckuBLo3pJN1FGE1Gg. Lionel CW80's can be found for around $50 at Greenberg and other train shows. God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. By continuing to use this site, you indicate you accept these terms. Over the years I have collected boxed (mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. If you have time, check out the "Coffee Pot". And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. Retrofitting a subway line into existing benchwork - and are subway sets still being made? They're controlled with a simple handheld remote control and run on easy-to-connect plastic track. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. I really doubt you will need more than that. We're sorry. :-). To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. Lionel introduced a few LionChief Plus 2.0 starter sets in 2022. What type is your old transformer? When they were manufactured by The American Flyer Manufacturing Company, they were made in Standard Gauge and a version of "O" gauge. When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? These small power supplies are designed to supply a few amps of power. The backside of a control panel can turn into a "rat's nest" of wiring very quickly. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. Just like with your track bus and feeders, running an accessory bus of slightly heavier wire to connect to each light or accessory with a smaller feeder is a good plan. They are fun to have. Why Sign In? A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. Understanding Electrical Supplies and Controls. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. A while back, approximately 2 weeks ago while running two very lengthy loops of fast track an old transformer nearly fried (50 years old) one of my wires that I was running to my Fastrac. Add a PW dual motor F3 (4 amps) with 5 lighted cars (another 10 bulbs - 1 amp) and you are cooking (9 amps). They have everything you need for a basic setup, and the larger ones are capable of running the smaller layouts you see in the train magazines, so they have some room for growth. Never had a problem. The circuit breaker should trip with a click and the transformer should go dead. Lionel uses red and black (red always for the center rail, black for the two outer rails) as a standard in its instructions and most 3-Rail O Gauge layouts are probably wired this way. Sell Your Trains Using a Live Auction House. At fifteen volts which is about as much as I can put to it without jumping the track, it pulls an average of 2.5 amps, or 37.5 watts--less than one tenth of the transformer capacity of 400. You could have a poor connection that caused the wire to heat up. Another classic is the Automatic Gateman. The Best Technical and Innovative Podcasts you should Listen, Essay Writing Service: The Best Solution for Busy Students, 6 The Best Alternatives for WhatsApp for Android, The Best Solar Street Light Manufacturers Across the World, Ultimate packing list while travelling with your dog. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. If you make a complete loop of 100 feet with good track joints, you'll have something like .1 ohm from the transformer to the farthest point, using the rule of thumb that most track is something like 16 AWG wire (.004 ohms per foot) and that there are two 50 foot tracks feeding the farthest point from two directions. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. We feature Lionel, American Flyer, MTH, Atlas O, Williams Trains, K-Line, Weaver Models, and more. Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. M3103. Been there, done that. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. properly wired transformer can handle any amount of track. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. You can't count on a lack of compatibility issues for one Legacy locomotive being definitive for all Legacy locomotives, for example. If you have the proper wire size and a properly-sized circuit breaker, you should not have any problems using the old transformer. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. The Lionel Multi-control 1033 is a 90 watt transformer produced from 1948 to 1956. Many manufacturers assemble cases with special screws to prevent access to the inside and accidental shock. Lionel 1033 90 Watt Multi-control Transformer (102) $9.99 1 bid $16.00 shipping 2d 9h Lionel Type Z 250 Watt Transformer & One 167 Whistle Controllers. Just get a Lionel #12053 Accessory wire set and enough extra wire to connect from the wire set back to your transformer [speaker wire works well]. It can be a great secondary power supply for lighted buildings, signals, and other accessories. A large number of the Lionel Collectors Club UK use this set up to good effect. Some systems will use bluetooth technology enabling you to control the trains with your tablet or cell phone. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. the amount of track is not what is important here. If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. That's about enough to run a single locomotive and perhaps power a few lighted accessories or passenger cars. This set also includes an uncoupling track section, which will disconnect cars from one another at the touch of a button, and a bumper, which keeps cars from rolling off the end of the track. Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. Beginners Ask Trains New trains; old transformers. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. Can't plug into outlet? Classic cars have a 5 or 6 as their second digit [25051, 16686, etc]. That it not to say that there are not engineering formulae to calculate the current draw and thus the wattage, but far and away the easiest method is to measure it. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. Also, you wont be able to take advantage of independent control of multiple engines on the same track without a digital controller. Do not operate the CW-80 Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case. It's expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). The old transformer is not really the problem, the problem is the supply wire, particularly under heavyload (or derailment without the benefit of a quicker breaker). At an average 14 volts - this is 9x14 = 126 watts - the ZW is getting quite warm and I have not run an accessory or another train yet! Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' Henry V. I am a person with a very active inner child. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. I don't want to buy a lot more track, but then find out the transformer is too weak, if that make sense. Here are a few: --The Lionel Fastrack Book, by Robert Schleicher. A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. I got a lot of lightweight transformers that came with starter sets over the years. Expanding the basic oval from the set is the quickest way to add more interest to your trains. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. If you want a spur track to store an extra car or two, Lionel makes another expansion set [#12044] that does just that: Note that this set includes one switch which is the track section that makes the track diverge onto two separate routes. Atlas and Bachmann have the same transformers with 80 watt outputs as well that get good reviews and would be appropriate for a smaller layout. In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". For instance, a 100 kilovolt-ampere transformer with 8.32 kilovolts (or less) on the high side has a typical value of 2.6% impedance. Outdoor railroads are, of course, an exception! A rule of thumb from the elders, (I had to go to the mountain top for this one), Add 2 more watts for Spankybird's fun-filled layout! Obviously, for a lot of people, the $700 Lionel ZW-L transformer is overkill. Of course, the answer to that question depends on many things. This signifies compatibility with 50 Hertz power. This will solve the slowdown problem. A new ZW will run you in the neighborhood of $450.00 or a little less depending on your dealership. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, WELCOME TO THE FORUM Mike!! As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. It is 5" long. For safety reasons, the batteries were soon replaced by a 110 volt transformer. If the transformer fails, you most likely have a short or overload somewhere in the control circuit. Of all the questions fielded by the staff of Classic Toy Trains, inquiries regarding layout wiring top the list.While you might expect numerous questions regarding complex techniques or new technologies, CTT. Some great beginner accessories are the #12052 Fastrack Highway Signal set, which is a set of highway signals that blink as the train goes by. Many load and unload freight from specially designed cars as well. * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. Atlas and Bachmann have the same transformers with 80 watt outputs as well that get good reviews and would be appropriate for a smaller layout. Problem with Rail King Protocol Sounds reversing unit, My D-190 Back in Action After Move to to NC, Caboose Identification - late era vintage, Continuing Saga Newtown Hardwrare House WIP. Not really a how-to-build-a-layout book, but it is a good general introduction to the hobby full of interesting stuff.
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