The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Professionals Need: Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime: Prime Video Direct The preferred choice for wiring control panels is telephone or telecommunications wire. If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it! Some of the variables are obvious, others not so much. 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. In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". :-). Trainz carries a variety of books that build upon the information listed above. 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. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. 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. They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. "O" Gauge is what Lionel is today, along with "O27". All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. This conserves the trains' power supply for their needs and makes troubleshooting much easier. Length of track or type of track doesn't (or shouldn't) matter. 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. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. However, there are times when the solid wire has advantages, particularly when soldering in small locations. Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. Price Received. Both are lighted. If you want a station for your trains to stop at, there are both station platforms [#24159] as well as full sized stations [#14257]. 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? Tales From Harmon Shops, WTB: LIONEL AUTRORACKS SPECIFICALLY SOUTHERN,GRAND TRUNK,BNSF,FERROMEX. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. These can all have uses for your layout. 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. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. This thing has more power then I will ever need. Lionel 1033 Transformer Renovation Part I - YouTube Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). Which Lionel transformer do I need? - The Silicon Underground If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. Lionel Ready-to-Play is a large sized train that's made to be affordable and easy-to-use for both kids and adults alike. A Passenger consist can easily use more power than the engine. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . Fortunately, in the early 21st century it is easier to expand your starter set than ever before. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. The Best Technical and Innovative Podcasts you should Listen, Essay Writing Service: The Best Solution for Busy Students, 6 The Best Alternatives for WhatsApp for Android, The Best Solar Street Light Manufacturers Across the World, Ultimate packing list while travelling with your dog. The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. You should always, always test your transformer for safetybefore you set it up, andunplug it when youre not using it. Forgot about light bulbs since I don't got some yet. If the transformer fails, you most likely have a short or overload somewhere in the control circuit. Transformer Size Calculator - Electram June 5, 2022; cleveland open chess 2021; mexican martial arts xilam Thanks! For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. 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. Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. First, a few general notes about choosing wire. 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. 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. This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. And that means theyre affordable. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. Great for learning all you will ever want to know about Lionels track system. As the train goes by, the door to the shed opens and a figure pops out, and once the train has passed the figure re-enters the building and the door shuts. THE BASICS "O", "S", "HO". Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). All Lionel transformer comparisons should include the common 1033, RW, LW, KW and ZW transformers. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; These small power supplies are designed to supply a few amps of power. I don't want to buy a lot more track, but then find out the transformer is too weak, if that make sense. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, WELCOME TO THE FORUM Mike!! IF the Engineer is the guy that drives the locomotive then theTechnician must be the fireman is this correct? 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. Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers Best Selling Lionel 1908080 O Gauge CW80 Transformers - Black (4) $147.85 New $110.00 Used Lionel Legacy Powermaster Lnl637146 (13) $134.99 New $90.00 Used Lionel 634120 TMCC Direct Lock-On Transformer - Silver (21) $58.99 New $49.99 Used 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. Lionel CW80's can be found for around $50 at Greenberg and other train shows. This signifies compatibility with 50 Hertz power. My question is.how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? But if you already have a 1034 and dont need a whistle button, go ahead and use it. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. Thus an appliance with a 15-ampere plug (the usual kind with parallel blades) must draw no more than 12 amperes. Lionels HO Gauge items are back! Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers for sale | eBay If you like, tell us more about yourself. Scale cars almost always have the number 7 as the second digit in their number [17623, 27241, etc]. There are many advantages in repairing or reconditioning your transformers. 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. Like tankist stated.It's only running multiple engines that I run into issues. For a transformer less or equal to 500 kilovolt-amperes, a typical %Z impedance may vary between 2.3% and 5.2% based on the voltage level. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. Now, I diconnected that old dinosaur and connected two separate smaller ones which weren't powerful enough to run my Amtrack MTH trains. Hello, I'm new to this site, and completely new to toy trains also - so please pardon my ignorance! It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. HO gauge is very popular because of its size. In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. If your layout is bigger than 48, you may actually find trains run a bit better with a KW than with a smaller transformer. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Use the CW-80 Transformer only for its intended purpose. And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 1901-2022. You can't count on a lack of compatibility issues for one Legacy locomotive being definitive for all Legacy locomotives, for example. The locomotives are battery-powered and made of durable plastic. Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. Frankly, its hard to go wrong with either of these transformers, especially at todays prices. 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. 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. [:)]. If you plan to add a second loop for another train in the near future, the 14198 would be a wise investment. Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. I'll take this information and run with it to help get me started. The larger wire is usually more expensive and more challenging to work with. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Ive talked more about the KW here. Extending the Reach of Your Power (Use buss/feeder lines to distribute power.) 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. LGB throttles 51070, 52120 and 52121 will all work with the 50061 and other LGB transformers. 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. 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. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. Another classic is the Automatic Gateman. 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. 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 best of the best Lionel trains are very valuable. I suggest that you proactively lay an 10-2 AWG NM cable (or at least 12-2) along the track and tap into it as needed to keep the voltage up. 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. The higher powered units would not meet todays safety standards as issued by Underwriters Laboratories. 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. There have been issues with chopped waveform transformers, i.e. To participate you must either login or register for an account. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You must be signed in to continue. 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. I had 3 lionel cw80's and two quit working. Starter sets almost always include a power supply along with the track and train. It was one of Lionel's more venerable postwar products, lasting on the market for 18 years from 1948 to 1966. The farther from the transformer the more resistance in the rails and your engine will slow down. Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. Actually it was a train show with varied trains of all different eras being run I have mostly MTH trains though and they wouldn't run because the transformer that was running wasn't powerful enough to cycle through my MTH trainsounds. Connecticut Valley Railroad -- A Branch of the New York, New Haven, And Hartford. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. The house's current is reduced to the required low voltage by Trainmaster Transformers. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. 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. 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. 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. (Electrical Contractor with dear old Dad for 30 years) Regards Steve. They're controlled with a simple handheld remote control and run on easy-to-connect plastic track. Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts - The Spruce Crafts When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? 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. The article you suggest would be a daunting task, as you'd have to gather virtually every known locomotive and transformer! It would be advantageous if OGR magazine would put an article together comparing the major manufacturers transformers output waveform compatibility/ incompatibilitywith the various manufacturer's locomotives - Atlas O, Weaver, 3rd Rail, MTH , Lionel etc and conventional , DCS , TMCC, Legacy command control. The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. If they do, follow their recommendations. 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. 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. I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. The wire can also be purchased as solid or stranded. Whatever colors and pattern you choose, just make sure to keep a good notebook handy to reference later. And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. The load voltage and load amps must be known to calculate KVA rating. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. 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're looking to only have one loop with multiple sidings then you'll only need 1 source of power for the whole layout. 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. Our community is FREE to join. Lionel introduced a few LionChief Plus 2.0 starter sets in 2022. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. 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. Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. Retrofitting a subway line into existing benchwork - and are subway sets still being made? Transformer Size Requirement? - Classic Toy Trains Magazine Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. 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. Over the years I have collected boxed (mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. Ill try to find a link to it for you. Right now I am running 8 motors on one KW [the new one I found] and got the old one for reserve. 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. Amperes = VA/Secondary Volts or 40VA/28V = 1.43 amperes. 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 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. Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. 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. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. I've read that it is good practice to add feeders every 10 sections of track or sothat seems like a lot but I suppose that beats having "dead" spots in the track. A new ZW will run you in the neighborhood of $450.00 or a little less depending on your dealership. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. Wow.thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. Smaller feeder wires are used to bridge the small gap from the bus to the track. You don't really need a diagram -- you want to pick your interval (some would recommend as often as 3'), drill a hole down through your base, and connect a wire to a bus which runs beneath the layout and connects to your transformer (obviously, you need two wires, one for each powered rail). If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. All members here are welcome to drop in and visit. Lots of good tips for building a layout from two of the most experienced people in the hobby. I have noticed that my old transformers do not work well or not work at all with newer electronic whistle tenders. How do you choose the right power supply for your model trains? This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. That means there are lots of them. 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. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. 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. American Flyer Trains Basic Operating Information All about the Lionel ZW - The Silicon Underground I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. If the voltage drop in the track is more than a small fraction of the transformer voltage, that is, a volt or two, you are going to have trouble running the trains anyway. Multi-conductor wires with many strands of finer wire are more common for telecommunications and electronics. to run conventional you will need Legacy plus a Powermaster and Powermaster Bridge or Legacy and a TPC 300/400. Most power supplies will perform very well for years if used within their limits. This will solve the slowdown problem. That might work, but it's probably borderline, especially if you are using something like a 1033 transformer that tops out at 16 volts. Not wanting to give up, I experimented with an 80 watt modern Lionel transformer and got great results. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? This means that you will have about.5 volt drop if your train draws 5 amperes. The 1033 is not the same as the 1044. Early issues used a Bakelite case while later releases had a case made out of plastic. Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. CW80 Transformer. I got a lot of lightweight transformers that came with starter sets over the years. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. Effort. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. Lionel 1033 90 watt Transformer Postwar from 1950s-60s Whistle, Direction. If you have a starter set and have had thoughts like this, youre not alone. Classic Toy Trains 5-Year Collection 2015-2019 DVD-ROM. A starter set is the best way to start with the train hobby. When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. The thing that eats current is a lot of light bulbs on the layout. The circuit breaker should trip with a click and the transformer should go dead. The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. The whistle requires more power than the outfits that don't have it. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. 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. What about removing flanges from diesel wheels? 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. 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. Needless to say the "Spring into Spring" train show very nearly became unsprung! 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. Although all Lionel cars operate on O Gauge track, the bodies of the cars are made in two slightly different sizes. If you have the proper wire size and a properly-sized circuit breaker, you should not have any problems using the old transformer. I am currently running about 40 bulbs, which at 0.1 A each total 4 amps!