The only time you might not get your full moneys worth is during operation of locomotives equipped with Lionels TMCC or MTHs DCS command-control systems. If you add a lot of track and find that your train slows down as it gets farther from your transformer, you will need to run jumper wires to the opposite side of your track layout. That might work, but it's probably borderline, especially if you are using something like a 1033 transformer that tops out at 16 volts. If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. Lionel has a new 180 watt transformer due out soon that will be a nice upgrade. Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. Lionel 1033 Transformer Renovation Part I - YouTube I justhave a very basic 027 set (guessin' mid 80's?). Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. Classic Toy Trains 5-Year Collection 2015-2019 DVD-ROM. Why Do Lionel Trains Have 3 Rails? | Worldwide Rails 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. 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! Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. Handbook of layout wiring | Classic Toy Trains Magazine 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. The load voltage and load amps must be known to calculate KVA rating. A Passenger consist can easily use more power than the engine. I can remember a time when a Lionel ZW would set you back $275. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. If you plan to add a second loop for another train in the near future, the 14198 would be a wise investment. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. By continuing to use this site, you indicate you accept these terms. 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. These bus wires are often more important than the size of the power supply itself in getting good results. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. Amazon.com: Lionel O Gauge Transformer :-). As your layout grows so, too, will its power demand. Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). (NEW/LIKE NEW), running TMCC And DCS engines with DCS handheld, terrible crash in Greece, multiple fatalities, Its.Public Delivery Track ..NEWSpecial run corner, Improving Appearance of 0-gauge Tubular Track. But were talking the trains that are in the absolute best condition and might not have ever run on the track. Getting Started - 3 RAIL TRAINS Thanks in advance for any information, Mike. Many will still run on the track in your starter set, but because they are scale sized, the bodies of these cars may be slightly wider and longer than those in your set. The same is true for other electronic projects around your layout and inside buildings, train cars, and even locomotives. In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. They run on three rail track. 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. 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. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. Over the years I have collected boxed(mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. If you add feeders to the track at the farthest point (remember to get the same wire to the same rails) you will not slow down at the farthest point. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. Join Today! DCS Power Supplies | MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS The 190-wattLionel KWwas the second biggest and second best transformer of the postwar era. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. IF the Engineer is the guy that drives the locomotive then theTechnician must be the fireman is this correct? Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts - The Spruce Crafts Trainz carries a variety of books that build upon the information listed above. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon Extending the Reach of Your Power That said, if youre uncomfortable fixing a transformer, I wont look down on you for buying one someone else fixed up. What is the best transformer to use? - O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum JavaScript is disabled. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. Here at Trainz, we carry all of the products you will need to go from a starter set to a miniature railroad empire. Frankly, its hard to go wrong with either of these transformers, especially at todays prices. Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! Do not connect this product to any other power supply. 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. 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. The chances are that little power supply isn't going to keep the train running over a full mile, however. Transformer Size Calculator - Electram Here are some simple definitions for these electrical terms: Most power supplies will be labeled as to the scales they are meant to handle. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. Transformer Sizing Calculator (Use buss/feeder lines to distribute power.) That could also be the reason the other transformers don't work. Its a good transformer. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. 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). 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. It was one of Lionel's more venerable postwar products, lasting on the market for 18 years from 1948 to 1966. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. The car on the left is scale, and the one on the right is the classic, underscale size. The whistle requires more power than the outfits that don't have it. Besides the train and track, accessories provide a lot of fun and animation to any setup. Take the hint. RemembertheVeterans. Professionals Need: Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime: Prime Video Direct Lest I offend, in another plane of existence I was an electronics tech. This is different from the stranded wire in that the different individual wires, each with their color-coded insulation, is placed inside a secondary insulation wrap. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. It was a symbiotic relationship, the engineer designed it and the tech built it, then they both troubleshot it. Thanks! Lots of good tips for building a layout from two of the most experienced people in the hobby. Get 20 articles about compact layouts and how to build them. But after a little while, you will likely want your train to do more, and youll start thinking along these lines: --It sure would be neat if it did more than run in a circle. Do not use this device if water is present. There is the 12030 Figure-8 set, which along with the track included in your set makes your layout into this: Figure-8s are great because they create a crossing, giving the appearance of a railroad junction, they break up the oval, and the parts to create them are relatively cheap. The KW has constant voltage outputs for accessories, the ZW don't have that feature just four handles for supplying power to four tracks or accessories if you like, both have whistle & direction feature. 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. LGB FAQs : Power 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. These are all good, dependable transformers from the postwar era that are easy to find today, have adequate wattages ranging from 90-270 watts, have a circuit breaker for safety and have a whistle controller. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. 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. Like all electronic products, you want to make sure your power supplies are rated by the appropriate body for your country (UL for example). Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. Likewise, if you only want to run one train at a time, you can keep other trains on the track by wiring with blocks, and turning off trains that are not in use. The good news is, Lionel made a lot of good transformers over the years. TRANSFORMERS ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Different wiring projects call for different standards. Just not quite as much. 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. --Heck, watching one train run is great, Ill bet TWO would be even more fun! When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? The farther from the transformer the more resistance in the rails and your engine will slow down. With the ever-increasing amount of small electronics in today's sophisticated models, this protection is more important than ever. I've read that it is good practice to add feeders every 10 sections of track or sothat seems like a lot but I suppose that beats having "dead" spots in the track. 40-200 20 Watt DC Transformer - Small DC transformer suitable for powering a single HO diesel or steam locomotive equipped with Proto-Sound 3.0. Number 22 solid wire works best on most scales. We use a ZW 275 and a KW on this, so 405 watts. Wow.thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. If your track joints aren't near perfect or if you should want to split that loop into two blocks, you'll double the voltage drop. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Understanding Electrical Supplies and Controls. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. 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. Lionel made a lot of other transformers over the years. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. 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. Some systems will use bluetooth technology enabling you to control the trains with your tablet or cell phone. What do I need to do that with? Why Sign In? But a 12-gauge solid wire is one strand, while a 12-gauge stranded wire may be made up of more than a dozen much smaller individual strands spun together. Of course, the answer to that question depends on many things. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Actually it was a train show with varied trains of all different eras being run I have mostly MTH trains though and they wouldn't run because the transformer that was running wasn't powerful enough to cycle through my MTH trainsounds. Ok our layout is 10 x 20 = 200 sq ft x 2 = 400 watts. Add a PW dual motor F3 (4 amps) with 5 lighted cars (another 10 bulbs - 1 amp) and you are cooking (9 amps). American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. Older transformers I had this issue with are RW, 1033, KW, ZW.newer transformers were all made by MTH. The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. Beginners Ask Trains New trains; old transformers. If you have time, check out the "Coffee Pot". 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.