Starter set locomotives can pull up to 12 cars easily, and most can handle up to 20, so building a longer train will not harm your engine. 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. Remember, the only silly question is the one that you did not ask. Tales From Harmon Shops, WTB: LIONEL AUTRORACKS SPECIFICALLY SOUTHERN,GRAND TRUNK,BNSF,FERROMEX. Price Received. 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! They give a true 180 watts and have excellent electronic breakers. Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. Beginners Ask Trains New trains; old transformers. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. 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. Transformer sizing for new systems Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. Today, with some luck, you can get one for closer to $100. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. What type is your old transformer? I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. Great for learning all you will ever want to know about Lionels track system. 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. 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. 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. Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. These sets use a remote control which talks directly to a receiver in the locomotive. View More! JavaScript is disabled. Past,presentand future. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. Which Lionel transformer do I need? you ask? When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. Length of track or type of track doesn't (or shouldn't) matter. Ran 6 motors [MPC's]. 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. Starter sets almost always include a power supply along with the track and train. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. If you plan to just run MTH go with their DCS system if you plan to have a number of different engines or the MTH DCS Remote Commander which is limited to running only one engine at a time. 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). 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. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' Henry V. I am a person with a very active inner child. Price Received. The house's current is reduced to the required low voltage by Trainmaster Transformers. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . But if you already have a 1034 and dont need a whistle button, go ahead and use it. The backside of a control panel can turn into a "rat's nest" of wiring very quickly. THE BASICS "O", "S", "HO". Is there anyway of saying how much track it will power? Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! $2799. There was a video by Mike Reagan from Lionel about better smoke output from a chopped wave transformer, but the pure sine wave didn't cause any operational issues. 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. Any of the below transformers from M.T.H. A new ZW will run you in the neighborhood of $450.00 or a little less depending on your dealership. If the second digit is 9, it could be either, so be careful when considering one of them. Smaller layouts (a typical 4 foot by 8 foot being a good example) can usually get by with Number16 since the length of the run from the power supply to the track is never more than a few feet. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. 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. 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. Over the years I have collected boxed (mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. Lionel Rolling Stock Identification Guide. the amount of track is not what is important here. Expanding the basic oval from the set is the quickest way to add more interest to your trains. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. 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. Needless to say the "Spring into Spring" train show very nearly became unsprung! 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. Not really a how-to-build-a-layout book, but it is a good general introduction to the hobby full of interesting stuff. I have had the same problem. Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. We feature Lionel, American Flyer, MTH, Atlas O, Williams Trains, K-Line, Weaver Models, and more. Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. Connecticut Valley Railroad -- A Branch of the New York, New Haven, And Hartford. The least expensive power supply you should consider is the Lionel CW80 Transformer; you can buy a new one for about $150 or a used on one eBay for about $60. 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. 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. This will solve the slowdown problem. You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together. Everything you need to get going is included, its reliable, and setup is usually very easy. 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 I think the RW is a bit better value, but that could just be timing. Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. Model train power falls into one of three categories. 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. What do I need to do that with? Frankly, its hard to go wrong with either of these transformers, especially at todays prices. I thought an ENGINEER was the guy driving the train? Accessories often interact with the train, such as a crossing gate that lowers as the train passes. The locomotives are battery-powered and made of durable plastic. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. 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. IF the Engineer is the guy that drives the locomotive then theTechnician must be the fireman is this correct? Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. This signifies compatibility with 50 Hertz power. When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Most power supplies will perform very well for years if used within their limits. Mark. Lionel 1033 90 watt Transformer Postwar from 1950s-60s Whistle, Direction. I am currently running about 40 bulbs, which at 0.1 A each total 4 amps! They are known as HO train sets because they are half the size of O-guage. Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. Digital command control systems (DCC) uses digital information to control the electrical power to the train. (using 4 of the 180 watt Lionel bricks) That's 10 amps per channel on all 4 channels. I have purchased diodes to put into the older transformers to see if this resolves the issue with newer tenders. This drawing illustrates all of the key functionality of a Lionel KW transformer. Ok our layout is 10 x 20 = 200 sq ft x 2 = 400 watts. Our community is FREE to join. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). 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. 24v, 120v, 208v, 240v, 480v, and 600v). 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?. The chances are that little power supply isn't going to keep the train running over a full mile, however. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. Everyone wanted the two-handled, football-shaped, 275-watt powerhouse that was the ZW. Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. To participate you must either login or register for an account. But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. All of the transformers that have more than 90 Watts are in great demand today as more collectors are operating retro-layouts. 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. This conserves the trains' power supply for their needs and makes troubleshooting much easier. If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. 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)! You can use bus and feeder wires to more evenly distribute the power over your track. I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. And again regardless of scale or manufacturer, switch machines of these two types will have similar needs and performance. That might work, but it's probably borderline, especially if you are using something like a 1033 transformer that tops out at 16 volts. (Electrical Contractor with dear old Dad for 30 years) Regards Steve. I went to mth Z1000, jason's train shop has the best price's I have seen for these. Its a bargain at that price. Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands! If you like, tell us more about yourself. 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. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. [:)]. Come join the discussion about brands, various scales, repairs, storage, displays, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . 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. You don't want to try to solder even Number 16 gauge wire right to your rails, however. The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. . God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. to run conventional you will need Legacy plus a Powermaster and Powermaster Bridge or Legacy and a TPC 300/400. 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. 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. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. 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. The 1033 is not the same as the 1044. 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. I have a 3amp, 40watt transformer. And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. You have pretty much pointed up the major problem, everything is different. I got a lot of lightweight transformers that came with starter sets over the years. 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. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. 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 it is tempting to go with the biggest wire possible to guarantee excess capacity, there are drawbacks to putting in more than you need. This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. As far as new transformers go, someone else may be able to help more than I can. Lots of good tips for building a layout from two of the most experienced people in the hobby. 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. These bus wires are often more important than the size of the power supply itself in getting good results. The Lionel 1033 can be used for small or medium-sized layouts. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. Electric Trains make great power supplies, depending on usage, on a DCS controlled layout. Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. Lionel and other train manufacturers have worked hard to make adding to a set easy, affordable, and fun. Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! 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. 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. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. 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 are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. It states: 1.25 amps for each motor, 0.2 amps for each bulb. I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! If you plan to add a second loop for another train in the near future, the 14198 would be a wise investment. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show.

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