Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading. --Heck, watching one train run is great, Ill bet TWO would be even more fun! In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. You have pretty much pointed up the major problem, everything is different. TRANSFORMERS ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Sell Your Trains Through an Online Auction Service. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. If the system's train transformer is run in Europe with a step-down transformer alone (converting only voltage from 230V to 115V AC at a 50 Hz), it may not operate as intended. They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. Just not quite as much. All of the transformers that have more than 90 Watts are in great demand today as more collectors are operating retro-layouts. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. If your layout is bigger than 48, you may actually find trains run a bit better with a KW than with a smaller transformer. Lionel made these for years and kept them in production under a different model number well into the 1970s because it was a reliable, dependable design and had enough power for a typical starter set while leaving some room to grow. Price Received. Effort. Mark. Do not operate the CW-80 Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. Serving these devices with their own dedicated supply will not only allow you to supply them with a proper constant voltage, but it will also free your main power supply to handle the load of the train itself. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. 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. Come join the discussion about brands, various scales, repairs, storage, displays, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! But it is important to take a close look at the cars to make sure that they are a good match for your set. HO gauge is very popular because of its size. I went to mth Z1000, jason's train shop has the best price's I have seen for these. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. 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. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. 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. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon 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 could have a poor connection that caused the wire to heat up. 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. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. the amount of track is not what is important here. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. Service/Tested $55.00 1 bid $14.06 shipping 1d 6h LIONEL TYPE (KW) TRAINMASTER TRANSFORMER FOR PARTS OR RESTORATION $17.05 4 bids $19.95 shipping 9h 23m The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. 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. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. Professionals Need: Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime: Prime Video Direct Dave, you're so eloquent and inspiring - my undergraduate degree was in American Studies, now I'm in charge of among other things all our college's technology - also self-taught.. Hello All: Re: Dave Farquhar, Dave you left out sense of humor Regards Steve. That transformer will only prolly handle 1 engine and depending on how long it is will depend on how many extra feeders you will need around the layout. The whistle requires more power than the outfits that don't have it. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. 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. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. The 1033 is not the same as the 1044. I cant see you needing more than a capacity of 5 amps. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. Frankly, its hard to go wrong with either of these transformers, especially at todays prices. They are fun to have. Electric Trains make great power supplies, depending on usage, on a DCS controlled layout. Transformer capacity is rated in KVA (kilo-volt-amperes). I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. Accessories often interact with the train, such as a crossing gate that lowers as the train passes. 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. That means there are lots of them. 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. "O" Gauge is what Lionel is today, along with "O27". The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. Also, you wont be able to take advantage of independent control of multiple engines on the same track without a digital controller. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. 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. I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (15) Ages: 14 years and up. 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. However, in the future if you continue in the hobby and your roster expands you may acquire motive power which requires larger curves than what came with your set. I have had the same problem. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. 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. The circuit breaker should trip with a click and the transformer should go dead. Now, I diconnected that old dinosaur and connected two separate smaller ones which weren't powerful enough to run my Amtrack MTH trains. Good choices are the Lionel 32923 Accessory Transformer, or another 80-watt transformer like the one included in your set, #14198. 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. In some cases. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, so you'll need to consider what you want to do and measure your options accordingly. That's about enough to run a single locomotive and perhaps power a few lighted accessories or passenger cars. They run on three rail track. And that means theyre affordable. editors report that most of the wiring issues they address involve basic principles of electricity - the stuff that Ben Franklin played with when he flew his kite. We feature Lionel, American Flyer, MTH, Atlas O, Williams Trains, K-Line, Weaver Models, and more. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. As the kit grows and you start putting in turnouts (or the point switching systems) to move your train from one track to another track, you will not only need more than 1 transformer, you will. If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! DCC is less common in starter sets, but some are available. 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. Thus an appliance with a 15-ampere plug (the usual kind with parallel blades) must draw no more than 12 amperes. 10 Easy Ways to Improve a Christmas Train Display, Wiring a Model Railroad for Block Operation, How to Build and Wire Reverse Loops for Model Trains, How to Choose the Right Transformer for Your Model Trains, Compatibility of Different Model Train Brands, HO Scale Track Plans for Model Train Layouts, buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories. And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. I run an MTH 4-6-2 PS-1 pulling five Madisons on about fifty feet of track and the transformer I am using (Z-4000) has a digital amp readout. Ive talked more about the Lionel RW and the LW as well. 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. 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. View More! Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. Check out my O scale layout progress at MTF, does track consume power? Besides the train and track, accessories provide a lot of fun and animation to any setup. Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! 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. 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. It was a symbiotic relationship, the engineer designed it and the tech built it, then they both troubleshot it. Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. It was one of Lionel's more venerable postwar products, lasting on the market for 18 years from 1948 to 1966. These can all have uses for your layout. Needless to say the "Spring into Spring" train show very nearly became unsprung! As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. I have one R transformer from which I run everything - but only 1 train at a time and a few accessories for a layout in a space about 24 by 10 ft. With the ever-increasing amount of small electronics in today's sophisticated models, this protection is more important than ever. Join Today! VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. If you are wiring with a common rail for your blocks, then keeping the common rail the same color all the time while changing the color for the other rail in each block is also an option. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. I paid $75 + shipping for mine a year ago. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! 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. 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. Do not connect this product to any other power supply. Sign-up for email today! Get 20 articles about compact layouts and how to build them. The greatest transformer Lionel made in the postwar era was the 270 watt Lionel ZW. Obviously, for a lot of people, the $700 Lionel ZW-L transformer is overkill. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. Older transformers I had this issue with are RW, 1033, KW, ZW.newer transformers were all made by MTH. To determine the required transformer VA, multiply the secondary voltage by the required amperes: For example, VA=Volts x Amperes or 28V x 1.2 amperes = 33.6 VA. To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. This has the added advantage that Lionel TMCC (command control) will operate correctly. If you want to connect ten landscape lights to a magnetic transformer, and the lights use 30 watts each, you would need a 375 watt transformer. It can be a great secondary power supply for lighted buildings, signals, and other accessories. To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. 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. Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. Although I am an electrical engineer, I just add stuff until the transformer gets too warm and then I branch off and add another. 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. 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. It can run four tracks at one time, so you layout can grow. As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. White and black are common selections. If the second digit is 9, it could be either, so be careful when considering one of them. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. Mike, The size of the transformer is dictated by what you want to run, the more you run the more power you will need. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. Extending the Reach of Your Power A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! You must be signed in to continue. (10 lights X . Lionel 1033 90 watt Transformer Postwar from 1950s-60s Whistle, Direction. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. It also has an optional bell sound that can be turned on and off. The best of the best Lionel trains are very valuable. Just not quite as much. The Lionel Track & Power catalog is BACK with the latest information for more ways to make your layout even bigger, better and more powerful! Whatever colors and pattern you choose, just make sure to keep a good notebook handy to reference later. The accessory activation track (#12029) is used to activate Lionel trackside accessories. Don't just discard your starter set pack, though. Length of track or type of track doesn't (or shouldn't) matter. 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. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. What size Lionel transformer do I need? A. While it is tempting to go with the biggest wire possible to guarantee excess capacity, there are drawbacks to putting in more than you need. CW80 Transformer. Ill try to find a link to it for you. 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 first Lionel electric trains were powered by wet-cell batteries, which were, of course, dangerous. 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. 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. Of course, the answer to that question depends on many things. 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. [:)]. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. 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! How to open tamper resistant outlets, Xxcopy vs Xcopy: Command line copy utilities, Where to connect the red wire to a light switch, Brains 25 cents: The story behind the meme. Different wiring projects call for different standards. Been there, done that. At auction, Lionel train sets, pieces, and accessories can sell for a few hundred dollars or for a few thousand dollars, depending on the rarity and condition of the piece. The transformer included with your starter set should be adequate to handle a modest expansion of your train set discussed above. The smaller of the two is #12028, which turns your oval into this: There is also the larger 12031 plan, which has a couple extra straight track pieces included, creating this: Even better, one or more of the expansion sets can be combined to create even more interesting track layouts. Multi-conductor wires with many strands of finer wire are more common for telecommunications and electronics. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. As you progress with your layout there are a lot of people here who will help you with any questions you have. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. Regardless of your scale, all model railroad switch machines fall into one of two categories, a slow-motion electric motor or a "twin coil" relay. 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. What about removing flanges from diesel wheels? Scale cars almost always have the number 7 as the second digit in their number [17623, 27241, 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. These sets use a remote control which talks directly to a receiver in the locomotive. And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. Mike to the forum. --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. I will make a note here. You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together. 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. The chances are that little power supply isn't going to keep the train running over a full mile, however. Our transformer sizing calculator allows you to obtain the minimum single or three-phase transformer size required based on the load you need to power. Does Lionel still make standard gauge trains? 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. Classic Toy Trains 5-Year Collection 2015-2019 DVD-ROM. Our community is FREE to join. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. The car on the left is scale, and the one on the right is the classic, underscale size. It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. electronically controlled outputs. The multi-conductor wire is also available. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. EXPLORE FasTrack 10" Straight Track 4-Pack 6-12032 $ 21.99 FasTrack Grade Crossing with Flashers 6-12052 $ 99.99 FasTrack O36 Curved Track 4-Pack 6-12033 $ 21.99 Legacy AMC-2 Motor Controller Price Received. Lionel introduced a few LionChief Plus 2.0 starter sets in 2022. The good news is, Lionel made a lot of good transformers over the years. IF the Engineer is the guy that drives the locomotive then theTechnician must be the fireman is this correct? David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? Like all electronic products, you want to make sure your power supplies are rated by the appropriate body for your country (UL for example). The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. For a classic setup of a single freight train running on a 48 (or smaller) sheet of plywood, a 90-wattLionel 1033 or 1044 is an excellent choice. Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. Lionel Rolling Stock Identification Guide. This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. The smallest wire you can work with will be more than sufficient. Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. If you have a starter set and have had thoughts like this, youre not alone. Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' Henry V. I am a person with a very active inner child. Classic cars have a 5 or 6 as their second digit [25051, 16686, etc]. Twin coil machines have a higher current draw when in motion but are also much faster-acting than the motorized versions. Today Lionel includes the same basic track oval in all starter sets8 36-inch diameter curve sections, 3 10 straight track sections, and 1 10 straight terminal section, which create this layout: Until recently, to add to this layout, you would need to buy separate straight, curved, and other track sections and wing it in creating a larger setup. front line doctors telemedicine,