Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. Just not quite as much. They are reasonably durable and were popular in their day, which means there are still a lot of them floating around so they tend to be inexpensive. The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. June 5, 2022; cleveland open chess 2021; mexican martial arts xilam Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. Forgot about light bulbs since I don't got some yet. Another classic is the Automatic Gateman. I've got around 320 ft of track between all of the mainline, sidings, etc and I don't have any problems running my engines anywhere on the layout. For a classic setup of a single freight train running on a 48 (or smaller) sheet of plywood, a 90-watt Lionel 1033 or 1044 is an excellent choice. Just not quite as much. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . On a large loop of track you will need to have multiple drops, hook-ups, to the transformer because if you only have one hook up the train will get slower the father away it gets from the transformer. 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. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. 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. Older transformers I had this issue with are RW, 1033, KW, ZW.newer transformers were all made by MTH. Should it be a Lionel or should it be an MTH with command control? I don't want to buy a lot more track, but then find out the transformer is too weak, if that make sense. The first is the traditional or classic size, which are the cars that match starter sets. But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. If the second digit is 9, it could be either, so be careful when considering one of them. Hello, I'm new to this site, and completely new to toy trains also - so please pardon my ignorance! Dave, the nice thing about Lionel transformers is you can run them until the bimetallic breaker pops and then you let it cool and you are back in action (after shutting a few things down)! My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. If you have the proper wire size and a properly-sized circuit breaker, you should not have any problems using the old transformer. If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below. Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. Please see our article on Fastrack here for more information. Anyway if it takes me 100 years to finish this thing one thing is for sure I will not have to worry about powering anything and everything. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. This drawing illustrates all of the key functionality of a Lionel KW transformer. Is there anyway of saying how much track it will power? If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. Classic Toy Trains magazine offers information about toy trains operating and collecting, toy train product news and reviews, toy train layout tips, toy train layout designs and track plans, and more. The same is true for other electronic projects around your layout and inside buildings, train cars, and even locomotives. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. (10 lights X . Like all electronic products, you want to make sure your power supplies are rated by the appropriate body for your country (UL for example). Classic cars have a 5 or 6 as their second digit [25051, 16686, etc]. Tales From Harmon Shops, WTB: LIONEL AUTRORACKS SPECIFICALLY SOUTHERN,GRAND TRUNK,BNSF,FERROMEX. 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. This signifies compatibility with 50 Hertz power. Electric Trains make great power supplies, depending on usage, on a DCS controlled layout. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Hello All: Another simple way of doing it, Only load the transformer to 75% of it's capacity, or take your total load & multiply by 125% for proper transformer sizing. It's expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. While most of the American Flyer products are re-issues using old Gilbert tooling from the 1950s, the O scale equipment is a combination of new designs and reissues. 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. However, if you begin to add lighted cars, or more than a couple accessories, you may find that your train will not run as fast, or that it will shut off entirely. If mixing both non-command as well as command engines, both by the way will run without any thing other than the appropriate transformer, it really depends on the budget. Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. A. Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). M3103. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. The house's current is reduced to the required low voltage by Trainmaster Transformers. Not wanting to give up, I experimented with an 80 watt modern Lionel transformer and got great results. I'll take this information and run with it to help get me started. Part of the Lionel line since the 1930s, the gateman today is offered not only with a regular railroad-type figure, but also in versions with Santa Claus and a nutcracker figure for the Christmas season. Most command systems use a constant AC power supply, and trains are controlled by impulses sent through the rails. For many first-time train buyers, once the initial excitement of setting up the train and watching it run has passed, the desire to make it do more usually begins. Price Received. Ran 6 motors [MPC's]. I have a 3amp, 40watt transformer. It also has an optional bell sound that can be turned on and off. A Passenger consist can easily use more power than the engine. Because of this, like with lighting and accessories, your power supply and wiring for switch machines do not need to be as robust. It is important to remember that the real test of the power supply is the load you'll place on it. The Lionel RW also happens to be a great transformer for Marx or American Flyer trains too, when you connect the track leads to the B and U posts instead of the A and U posts youd normally use for most Lionel setups. If the voltage drop in the track is more than a small fraction of the transformer voltage, that is, a volt or two, you are going to have trouble running the trains anyway. Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands! By creating alternate routes, more complex loops, and storage tracks, your trains will suddenly be even more interesting to watch and they will begin providing you the feeling that they are going somewhere and that you are running a small railroad. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Many manufacturers assemble cases with special screws to prevent access to the inside and accidental shock. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. I recently read an article/product review in the OGR magazine for the new Lioneltransformerand wassurprisedto learn that not all voltage outputwave-formsare created equal (pure sine wave versus some type of clipped sine wave). Effort. The choice of a control system is somewhat, but not necessarily, dependent on which manufacturers engines you prefer or have the most of. Price Received. I suggest that you proactively lay an 10-2 AWG NM cable (or at least 12-2) along the track and tap into it as needed to keep the voltage up. converting a 2-rail freight car to 2-rail with Atlas trucks, My Triple Level Layout -FREEBIE UPDATE- 3/2/23, Successful Open House Upstate (NY) Model Railroaders, FS: Lionel MPC and modern traditional size rolling stock. This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. There have been issues with chopped waveform transformers, i.e. $2799. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. no it isn't. 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. Smaller feeder wires are used to bridge the small gap from the bus to the track. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. But if you already have a 1034 and dont need a whistle button, go ahead and use it. Lionel made a lot of other transformers over the years. Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 1901-2022. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. Length of track or type of track doesn't (or shouldn't) matter. If youre comfortable doing some work yourself, you can buy a fixer-upper, and my informational links will tell you more about fixing one yourself. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. Actually the choice of transformer is secondary to the choice of control systems since you can operate O gauge trains with most any good modern transformer. Wow.thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. Scale cars almost always have the number 7 as the second digit in their number [17623, 27241, etc]. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. For a classic setup of a single freight train running on a 48 (or smaller) sheet of plywood, a 90-watt Lionel 1033 or 1044 is an excellent choice. You can use bus and feeder wires to more evenly distribute the power over your track. Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Its a bargain at that price. 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. Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions! Sell Your Trains Through an Online Auction Service. --Build a Better Toy Train Layout, by John Grams and Dick Christianson. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. Although it will not have any impact on the performance of the wire within, choosing multiple colors of wire, and standardizing on a specific color for each function, will go a long way in making your wiring easier to install and easier to detect flaws later on. I have a basement that offers an 18" concrete ledge that goes around theentire perimeter of the house that lends itself perfectly to a neat layout. There is no reason why your Lionel ZWs and Flyer big ones cant be used to run AC-powered trains of any vintage new or old. While those locomotives and their sound systems are designed to operate using conventional transformers like your ZW, digital controllers are needed to activate additional features like special sound effects and coupler activation. Also, you must have a built-in circuit breaker to prevent a short circuit from causing permanent damage to the power supply or the trains. Lionel Ready-to-Play is a large sized train that's made to be affordable and easy-to-use for both kids and adults alike. Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. (Use buss/feeder lines to distribute power.) The 190-wattLionel KWwas the second biggest and second best transformer of the postwar era. My question is.how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. 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. Number 22 solid wire works best on most scales. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. For most layouts, and most scales, Number14 stranded wire will work best for your bus. What do I need to do that with? --I need a station for the train to stop at. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. Its a good transformer. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. As cheap as the 1033 is, if youre going to buy a transformer, you might as well pay a few dollars more to get a 1033. --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. Understanding Electrical Supplies and Controls. Outdoor railroads are, of course, an exception! Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. --Heck, watching one train run is great, Ill bet TWO would be even more fun! Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers Best Selling Lionel 1908080 O Gauge CW80 Transformers - Black (4) $147.85 New $110.00 Used Lionel Legacy Powermaster Lnl637146 (13) $134.99 New $90.00 Used Lionel 634120 TMCC Direct Lock-On Transformer - Silver (21) $58.99 New $49.99 Used The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. 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. They give a great deal of power in a single handled transformer, and if you run trains along with another person, it can be more convenient for you to both have a smaller transformer than for two people to huddle around a larger KW or ZW transformer and share its handles. Alternating current (AC) is the preferred power for most O Gauge three-rail trains as well as some two-rail systems in smaller scales. All Lionel transformer comparisons should include the common 1033, RW, LW, KW and ZW transformers. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. Today, with some luck, you can get one for closer to $100. If you're experiencing problems with your wiring due to humidity, for example, you are going to face even greater issues with the trains and tracks themselves. Amperes = VA/Secondary Volts or 40VA/28V = 1.43 amperes. And that means theyre affordable. What type is your old transformer? The KW used to be really expensive, but since Lionel started making big transformers again, you can get a KW for what a 1033 used to cost, which makes it a very nice bargain today on a rugged and powerful transformer with an impressive presence. Many load and unload freight from specially designed cars as well. You don't want to try to solder even Number 16 gauge wire right to your rails, however. It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. DCC is less common in starter sets, but some are available. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. Although I am an electrical engineer, I just add stuff until the transformer gets too warm and then I branch off and add another. It does run on conventional power but not great and no whistle or bell. It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. Thanks in advance for any information, Mike. Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following, $12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable). Mike, The size of the transformer is dictated by what you want to run, the more you run the more power you will need. Our community is FREE to join. 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. White and black are common selections. It was a symbiotic relationship, the engineer designed it and the tech built it, then they both troubleshot it. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. All members here are welcome to drop in and visit. www.spankybird.shutterfly.com, God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. We're sorry. As your layout grows so, too, will its power demand. 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. Effort. To participate you must either login or register for an account. I have noticed that my old transformers do not work well or not work at all with newer electronic whistle tenders. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. While better starter sets usually include a more robust transformer, as a general rule the power pack supplied with your starter set is just thata start. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? If you plan to add a second loop for another train in the near future, the 14198 would be a wise investment. By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. The whistle requires more power than the outfits that don't have it. Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. This will spread the load of your lighted passenger consist across the two transformers. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. This means that they are not exact 1:48 replicas of the real thing but instead are selectively compressed to negotiate the tight turns of regular Lionel track. Come join the discussion about brands, various scales, repairs, storage, displays, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership. 10 Easy Ways to Improve a Christmas Train Display, Compatibility of Different Model Train Brands, How to Build and Wire Reverse Loops for Model Trains, Wiring a Model Railroad for Block Operation, Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts, Model Train Track Grades and Maximum Grade Issues. Turn on the throttle, then short the A and U posts (in the case of Lionel) or variable and base posts (in the case of Flyer) with a screwdriver or a piece of wire for a maximum of five seconds. In some cases. The Lionel 1033 can be used for small or medium-sized layouts. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. Kind Regards Steve, QUOTE: by Dave Has anyone here ever blown a transformer from hauling a double-headed Allegheny coal drag up a 2 percent grade?. Transformers are designed to fail if a short in the secondary or control side occurs. Multi-conductor wires with many strands of finer wire are more common for telecommunications and electronics. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. 24v, 120v, 208v, 240v, 480v, and 600v). I've had light 'arguments' with fellow hobbyists claiming most of their fellows are predominantly technically - oriented vs. what I would consider is a more liberal artsy approach - any way it's a great balance. That could also be the reason the other transformers don't work. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. Effort. 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). Join Today! Lionel has a new 180 watt transformer due out soon that will be a nice upgrade. They're controlled with a simple handheld remote control and run on easy-to-connect plastic track. Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading. Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. The fraction of your transformer's power lost in the track will therefore be well under 10 percent, since it is proportional to the voltage drop. 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! The Atlas and Bachmann 80 watt transformers, they are one and the same, can be had for around $75.00. electronically controlled outputs.
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