Of course, the answer to that question depends on many things. 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. Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together. The farther from the transformer the more resistance in the rails and your engine will slow down. DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (15) Ages: 14 years and up. The Lionel Track & Power catalog is BACK with the latest information for more ways to make your layout even bigger, better and more powerful! First, a few general notes about choosing wire. Frankly, its hard to go wrong with either of these transformers, especially at todays prices. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. 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. Mike, The size of the transformer is dictated by what you want to run, the more you run the more power you will need. 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. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Lionel and other train manufacturers have worked hard to make adding to a set easy, affordable, and fun. You must be signed in to continue. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. This is why my wife loves me so. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). Most power supplies will perform very well for years if used within their limits. to run conventional you will need Legacy plus a Powermaster and Powermaster Bridge or Legacy and a TPC 300/400. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. As the motor takes in more electricity, the arm turns faster and faster. Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. I will make a note here. 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. Sell Your Trains Using a Live Auction House. Some of the variables are obvious, others not so much. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. Here at Trainz, we carry all of the products you will need to go from a starter set to a miniature railroad empire. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. Connecticut Valley Railroad -- A Branch of the New York, New Haven, And Hartford. Been there, done that. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. 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. June 5, 2022; cleveland open chess 2021; mexican martial arts xilam Theres nothing inherently wrong with them, though I would shy away from the smaller transformers that are less than 75 watts, including the modern CW-40. Some DCC systems also recommend solid wire for certain applications. Do not connect this product to any other power supply. Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. Its a bargain at that price. The motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. Price Received. Checklist Transformer Size Calculator When sizing a transformer, you need to know the kilovolt-amps (KVA) that your machine requires. Tales From Harmon Shops, WTB: LIONEL AUTRORACKS SPECIFICALLY SOUTHERN,GRAND TRUNK,BNSF,FERROMEX. 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. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. 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]. 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. 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 have pretty much pointed up the major problem, everything is different. It is important to remember that the real test of the power supply is the load you'll place on it. [:)]. 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. As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. Are you running command or conventional? All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. Ive talked more about the KW here. To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. But it is important to take a close look at the cars to make sure that they are a good match for your set. How do you choose the right power supply for your model trains? Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. But were talking the trains that are in the absolute best condition and might not have ever run on the track. 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. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. 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. Another classic is the Automatic Gateman. I'm not sure I completely understand your question. If you have the proper wire size and a properly-sized circuit breaker, you should not have any problems using the old transformer. One rail is positive, the other negative. The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. It was a symbiotic relationship, the engineer designed it and the tech built it, then they both troubleshot it. 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 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. Early issues used a Bakelite case while later releases had a case made out of plastic. 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. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. OTTS Founder 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. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. 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. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. Wow.thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! 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. This drawing illustrates all of the key functionality of a Lionel KW transformer. The two types of cars will connect together just fine, but when side-by-side in a train, they may look a bit odd. 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. We use a ZW 275 and a KW on this, so 405 watts. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. They give a true 180 watts and have excellent electronic breakers. 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! A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. Over the years I have collected boxed (mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. Transformers are designed to fail if a short in the secondary or control side occurs. 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 transition section (#12040) allows you to connect conventional O Gauge track to FasTrack. 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. Although not necessarily a mandated standard, white, black and or red are used for track power on most layouts - if for no other reason than these colors are easiest to find. The locomotives are battery-powered and made of durable plastic. And both of them give more wattage per handle than a KW or ZW. The modern equivalent is the Lionel CW-80, but frankly I like the old ones better. 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. It has FasTrack connectors on one end and O Gauge track pins on the other. Take the hint. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. 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. Join Today! The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. You can use bus and feeder wires to more evenly distribute the power over your track. In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. We feature Lionel, American Flyer, MTH, Atlas O, Williams Trains, K-Line, Weaver Models, and more. 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 If the transformer fails, you most likely have a short or overload somewhere in the control circuit. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. (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. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. They are fun to have. This wire is very fine and can be found in many color combinations. 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. Many manufacturers assemble cases with special screws to prevent access to the inside and accidental shock. The backside of a control panel can turn into a "rat's nest" of wiring very quickly. Although I am an electrical engineer, I just add stuff until the transformer gets too warm and then I branch off and add another. If you want a station for your trains to stop at, there are both station platforms [#24159] as well as full sized stations [#14257]. 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. Safety first. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. 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. Both are lighted. And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. Alternating current (AC) is the preferred power for most O Gauge three-rail trains as well as some two-rail systems in smaller scales. The smaller the number, the larger the wire. Outdoor railroads are, of course, an exception! The higher powered units would not meet todays safety standards as issued by Underwriters Laboratories. Not wanting to give up, I experimented with an 80 watt modern Lionel transformer and got great results. 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. Just not quite as much. Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, Calculating transformer size for layout size. Sell Your Trains Through an Online Auction Service. 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. 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. I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. A. The other type of cars are the Scale cars, which are exact or near-exact replicas of actual freight cars. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. Fortunately, in the early 21st century it is easier to expand your starter set than ever before. The thing that eats current is a lot of light bulbs on the layout. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. 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. I know my train club had an issue with conventional locomotives not running properly on a layout with DCS and TMCC and apparently solved it by replacing a Lionel transformer with an MRC transformer that puts out a pure sine wave. Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading. 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. Ill try to find a link to it for you. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. 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. Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. Good choices are the Lionel 32923 Accessory Transformer, or another 80-watt transformer like the one included in your set, #14198. They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. Mint-in-box examples of vintage Lionel trains are still valuable and will continue to appreciate in value over time, because there are so few of them. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions! In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. 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. Thanks! 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?. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. A starter set is the best way to start with the train hobby. These sets use a remote control which talks directly to a receiver in the locomotive. ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 1901-2022. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. Number 22 solid wire works best on most scales. (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). LGB throttles 51070, 52120 and 52121 will all work with the 50061 and other LGB transformers. We're sorry. 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. I think the RW is a bit better value, but that could just be timing. Can't plug into outlet? So far, I haven't seen any way to do this except to take amp measurements or just wing it and see how hot your transformer gets. If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it! 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. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. The first is the traditional or classic size, which are the cars that match starter sets. --Toy Train Collecting and Operating, by John Grams. That means there are lots of them. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! 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. When they were manufactured by The American Flyer Manufacturing Company, they were made in Standard Gauge and a version of "O" gauge. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . 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 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. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. Price Received. Price Received. Thanks in advance for any information, Mike. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. 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. 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. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. I have had the same problem. 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. Don't just discard your starter set pack, though. I am currently running about 40 bulbs, which at 0.1 A each total 4 amps! This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. 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. Needless to say the "Spring into Spring" train show very nearly became unsprung! Everything you need to get going is included, its reliable, and setup is usually very easy. Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. 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. If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below. For most layouts, and most scales, Number14 stranded wire will work best for your bus. THE BASICS "O", "S", "HO". Use the CW-80 Transformer only for its intended purpose. It states: 1.25 amps for each motor, 0.2 amps for each bulb. As you progress with your layout there are a lot of people here who will help you with any questions you have. 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. Most command systems use a constant AC power supply, and trains are controlled by impulses sent through the rails. 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. 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. Electric Trains make great power supplies, depending on usage, on a DCS controlled layout. 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. 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. Now, I diconnected that old dinosaur and connected two separate smaller ones which weren't powerful enough to run my Amtrack MTH trains. Classification/marker lights on the PRR steam engine, For Sale: Lionel 6-11127 Legacy Southern Pacific GS-4 Daylight, Lionel Bethlehem Steel slag car and ATLAS NYC Baggage car, Lionel O 2333790 TrainWorld & RBP Trains Chris Raines -Exclusive - Katy LEGACY ES44AC #2021, Converting MTH Rail king GS-4 PROTO 2 to ERR Cruise Commander, The Harpers Ferry Layout II - Backdrop panels completed. I went to mth Z1000, jason's train shop has the best price's I have seen for these. Used 1033's for sidings and the switching yard its self. It's expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. 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. :-). 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. 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. However, there are times when the solid wire has advantages, particularly when soldering in small locations. The article you suggest would be a daunting task, as you'd have to gather virtually every known locomotive and transformer! TRANSFORMERS ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. 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.
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