Lionel uses red and black (red always for the center rail, black for the two outer rails) as a standard in its instructions and most 3-Rail O Gauge layouts are probably wired this way. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! Transformers are designed to fail if a short in the secondary or control side occurs. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. A. Thanks in advance for any information, Mike. 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. --Heck, watching one train run is great, Ill bet TWO would be even more fun! The greatest transformer Lionel made in the postwar era was the 270 watt Lionel ZW. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. A large number of the Lionel Collectors Club UK use this set up to good effect. 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. Different wiring projects call for different standards. Been there, done that. Older transformers I had this issue with are RW, 1033, KW, ZW.newer transformers were all made by MTH. DCC is less common in starter sets, but some are available. Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. The first Lionel electric trains were powered by wet-cell batteries, which were, of course, dangerous. All Lionel transformer comparisons should include the common 1033, RW, LW, KW and ZW transformers. Hello, I'm new to this site, and completely new to toy trains also - so please pardon my ignorance! 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. Ive talked more about the KW here. 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. Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. Connecticut Valley Railroad -- A Branch of the New York, New Haven, And Hartford. So, if you want to connect eight landscape lights to an electronic transformer, and the lights use 20 watts each, you would need a 160 watt transformer. Faq No: 1029 Ill try to find a link to it for you. 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. 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). Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. 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. If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! 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. (10 lights X . HO gauge is very popular because of its size. Used 1033's for sidings and the switching yard its self. 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. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. Accessories often interact with the train, such as a crossing gate that lowers as the train passes. $2799. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. http://www.lccuk.org.uk/lccuk Regards Nick Save Reply Quote N Nick12DMC Registered A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! I have had the same problem. Professionals Need: Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime: Prime Video Direct Expanding the basic oval from the set is the quickest way to add more interest to your trains. Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. A lot of people are using the MTH Z1000's who have smaller layouts while others have moved up to the MTH Z4000. As an example, look at these two cars closely: While both are gondola cars and run on O Gauge track, note how the car on the left is much longer than the one on the right. This has the added advantage that Lionel TMCC (command control) will operate correctly. The car on the left is scale, and the one on the right is the classic, underscale size. I cant see you needing more than a capacity of 5 amps. Effort. Electric Trains make great power supplies, depending on usage, on a DCS controlled layout. It does run on conventional power but not great and no whistle or bell. Mike to the forum. And again regardless of scale or manufacturer, switch machines of these two types will have similar needs and performance. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; 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. 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 motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. :-). This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . You don't want to try to solder even Number 16 gauge wire right to your rails, however. 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. Ran 6 motors [MPC's]. 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. For a passenger train with lighted cars, getting a little more power isnt a bad idea. On the flip side, the new transformers do not seem to work as well with the prewar whistle tenders.Has anyone else noticed this anomaly? Price Received. Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading. They are fun to have. In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. Never had a problem. Price Received. This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. You have pretty much pointed up the major problem, everything is different. 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. 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. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. If you need a device that converts from different voltages so it can power another device, then a transformer will fulfill that role perfectly. Frankly, its hard to go wrong with either of these transformers, especially at todays prices. I got a lot of lightweight transformers that came with starter sets over the years. I use to use one KW for 70 feet of main line, sidings and switching yard entry track. The first is the traditional or classic size, which are the cars that match starter sets. 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 For a 300W set up this will cost you about 100. 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. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content. 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. 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. Scale cars almost always have the number 7 as the second digit in their number [17623, 27241, etc]. The multi-conductor wire is also available. View More! These transformers are much cheaper than they were even just a few years ago, but that just makes them a bigger bargain today. That said, if youre uncomfortable fixing a transformer, I wont look down on you for buying one someone else fixed up. These can all have uses for your layout. If you plan to add a second loop for another train in the near future, the 14198 would be a wise investment. --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' Henry V. I am a person with a very active inner child. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. 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. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. This signifies compatibility with 50 Hertz power. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. Lionel introduced a few LionChief Plus 2.0 starter sets in 2022. This is interesting stuff. Transformer sizing for new systems Lionel 1033 90 watt Transformer Postwar from 1950s-60s Whistle, Direction. 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. They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. 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. ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. You should take care, however, to replace worn cords and wires. Great for learning all you will ever want to know about Lionels track system. I can remember a time when a Lionel ZW would set you back $275. Safety first. I'll take this information and run with it to help get me started. It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). If you have time, check out the "Coffee Pot". 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. The locomotives are battery-powered and made of durable plastic. Price Received. Ive talked about why here. It states: 1.25 amps for each motor, 0.2 amps for each bulb. Its a good transformer. They are fun to have. Many manufacturers assemble cases with special screws to prevent access to the inside and accidental shock. 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. Three conductor wire is common for household use. Controlled Magnetics has the manufacturing experience, knowledge, and facilities to repair a wide variety of electrical power transformers. I paid $75 + shipping for mine a year ago. When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. As your layout grows beyond the basic oval of track that comes with most starter sets, a good power distribution network is essential to getting consistent performance from your train all the way around. I have noticed that my old transformers do not work well or not work at all with newer electronic whistle tenders. Number 22 solid wire works best on most scales. 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. Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. 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. The Lionel Track & Power catalog is BACK with the latest information for more ways to make your layout even bigger, better and more powerful! Not wanting to give up, I experimented with an 80 watt modern Lionel transformer and got great results. All members here are welcome to drop in and visit. My question is.how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. 24v, 120v, 208v, 240v, 480v, and 600v). Is there anyway of saying how much track it will power? (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 Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. M3103. 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. Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. Check out my O scale layout progress at MTF, does track consume power? I have purchased diodes to put into the older transformers to see if this resolves the issue with newer tenders. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. 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. The backside of a control panel can turn into a "rat's nest" of wiring very quickly. 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. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. A Passenger consist can easily use more power than the engine. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. Another classic is the Automatic Gateman. 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. 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. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. 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. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (15) Ages: 14 years and up. Many load and unload freight from specially designed cars as well. 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. The higher powered units would not meet todays safety standards as issued by Underwriters Laboratories. The farther from the transformer the more resistance in the rails and your engine will slow down. This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. --I need a station for the train to stop at. [:)]. The choice of a control system is somewhat, but not necessarily, dependent on which manufacturers engines you prefer or have the most of. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. As the motor takes in more electricity, the arm turns faster and faster. The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. What do I need to do that with? (using 4 of the 180 watt Lionel bricks) That's 10 amps per channel on all 4 channels. In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. Also, you wont be able to take advantage of independent control of multiple engines on the same track without a digital controller. Should it be a Lionel or should it be an MTH with command control? 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. But if you already have a 1034 and dont need a whistle button, go ahead and use it. QUOTE: by Skyray "Typical engineer--you need a technician. To build on the point you are running MTH trains and therefore will probably go DCS eventually: I would break the track into blocks of about 5 feet in length. 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?. June 5, 2022; cleveland open chess 2021; mexican martial arts xilam Price Received. As your layout grows so, too, will its power demand. It also has an optional bell sound that can be turned on and off. Both are lighted. Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). Power the odd blocks with the other transformer. 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. A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life.". The transformer included with your starter set should be adequate to handle a modest expansion of your train set discussed above. Here are some simple definitions for these electrical terms: Most power supplies will be labeled as to the scales they are meant to handle. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. If they do, follow their recommendations. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands! 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. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. 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. If the transformer fails, you most likely have a short or overload somewhere in the control circuit. The thing that eats current is a lot of light bulbs on the layout. The other type of cars are the Scale cars, which are exact or near-exact replicas of actual freight cars. Outdoor railroads are, of course, an exception! . Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. (Electrical Contractor with dear old Dad for 30 years) Regards Steve. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. The best of the best Lionel trains are very valuable. 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. A locomotive on a mile-long loop will draw as many amps as it does on a 4x8 platform. When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. 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. This will spread the load of your lighted passenger consist across the two transformers. A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. The article you suggest would be a daunting task, as you'd have to gather virtually every known locomotive and transformer! DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. the amount of track is not what is important here. 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. --Build a Better Toy Train Layout, by John Grams and Dick Christianson. 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. Use the CW-80 Transformer only for its intended purpose. 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. 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. 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. Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! 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. 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. Thanks! That's about enough to run a single locomotive and perhaps power a few lighted accessories or passenger cars.
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