Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. Been there, done that. Fortunately, in the early 21st century it is easier to expand your starter set than ever before. What do I need to do that with? Extending the Reach of Your Power If you fried a wire going to the track it may not be a transformer problem. Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading. They give a great deal of power in a single handled transformer, and if you run trains along with another person, it can be more convenient for you to both have a smaller transformer than for two people to huddle around a larger KW or ZW transformer and share its handles. If your layout is bigger than 48, you may actually find trains run a bit better with a KW than with a smaller transformer. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO. To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. :-). The two types of cars will connect together just fine, but when side-by-side in a train, they may look a bit odd. Get 20 articles about compact layouts and how to build them. To my knowledge, you should have no compatibility issues with a pure sine wave track feed with any major brand locomotive. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Regardless of your scale, all model railroad switch machines fall into one of two categories, a slow-motion electric motor or a "twin coil" relay. 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. For a 300W set up this will cost you about 100. What about removing flanges from diesel wheels? Do not use this device if water is present. 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. To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. That's about enough to run a single locomotive and perhaps power a few lighted accessories or passenger cars. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. It also has an optional bell sound that can be turned on and off. 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. Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! Serious or fatal injuries may result. 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. If you have time, check out the "Coffee Pot". They are known as HO train sets because they are half the size of O-guage. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. In the middle range, Lionel made a lot of other transformers. its the amount of engines you need to worry about, I'm currently running my entire layout on a single DC power supply that came with an Athearn engine/track set. 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. I recently read an article/product review in the OGR magazine for the new Lioneltransformerand wassurprisedto learn that not all voltage outputwave-formsare created equal (pure sine wave versus some type of clipped sine wave). Now, I diconnected that old dinosaur and connected two separate smaller ones which weren't powerful enough to run my Amtrack MTH trains. Today, with some luck, you can get one for closer to $100. It has FasTrack connectors on one end and O Gauge track pins on the other. But it is important to take a close look at the cars to make sure that they are a good match for your set. If you like fixing things, fixing an old transformer is rewarding. Take the hint. 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. Also, you wont be able to take advantage of independent control of multiple engines on the same track without a digital controller. Sell Your Trains Using a Live Auction House. Obviously, for a lot of people, the $700 Lionel ZW-L transformer is overkill. The Lionel Multi-control 1033 is a 90 watt transformer produced from 1948 to 1956. M3103. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. Its a bargain at that price. Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 1901-2022. 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. The car on the left is scale, and the one on the right is the classic, underscale size. This means that you will have about.5 volt drop if your train draws 5 amperes. Connecticut Valley Railroad -- A Branch of the New York, New Haven, And Hartford. 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (15) Ages: 14 years and up. It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). A lot of people are using the MTH Z1000's who have smaller layouts while others have moved up to the MTH Z4000. --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. The other type of cars are the Scale cars, which are exact or near-exact replicas of actual freight cars. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. It can be a great secondary power supply for lighted buildings, signals, and other accessories. Do not operate the CW-80 Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case. As far as new transformers go, someone else may be able to help more than I can. They run on three rail track. Of course, the answer to that question depends on many things. These bus wires are often more important than the size of the power supply itself in getting good results. We're sorry. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. What size Lionel transformer do I need? Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Here at Trainz, we carry all of the products you will need to go from a starter set to a miniature railroad empire. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It states: 1.25 amps for each motor, 0.2 amps for each bulb. Smaller feeder wires are used to bridge the small gap from the bus to the track. Dave, you're so eloquent and inspiring - my undergraduate degree was in American Studies, now I'm in charge of among other things all our college's technology - also self-taught.. Hello All: Re: Dave Farquhar, Dave you left out sense of humor Regards Steve. Safety first. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. This would be more than enough for any single train and a few accessories. Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. A starter set is the best way to start with the train hobby. Sell Your Trains Through an Online Auction Service. Does Lionel still make standard gauge trains? The 110-wattLionel RW is a cheap option, and the 125-watt LW, while a bit more expensive, gives a bit more power. How do you choose the right power supply for your model trains? Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). Most command systems use a constant AC power supply, and trains are controlled by impulses sent through the rails. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. The modern equivalent is the Lionel CW-80, but frankly I like the old ones better. 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. The wire can also be purchased as solid or stranded. Everything you need to get going is included, its reliable, and setup is usually very easy. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. The chances are that little power supply isn't going to keep the train running over a full mile, however. The transformer, when operated at the lower frequency, may . 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. Use the CW-80 Transformer only for its intended purpose. In most cases, because we are dealing with relatively low voltage and amperage and in a normally stable temperature and humidity climates, our wiring does not require any extra insulation. The preferred choice for wiring control panels is telephone or telecommunications wire. Is there anyway of saying how much track it will power? OTTS Founder When they were manufactured by The American Flyer Manufacturing Company, they were made in Standard Gauge and a version of "O" gauge. Lest I offend, in another plane of existence I was an electronics tech. HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. It does run on conventional power but not great and no whistle or bell. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. 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. My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). Just connect the jumper wires to the same connections on the back of your transformer as your original connections, and make sure that the wires are not crossed. In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. This has the added advantage that Lionel TMCC (command control) will operate correctly. Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. (using 4 of the 180 watt Lionel bricks) That's 10 amps per channel on all 4 channels. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. The circuit breaker should trip with a click and the transformer should go dead. The typ miniature incandecents we use average about 100 ma of current each. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. If the second digit is 9, it could be either, so be careful when considering one of them. For instance, a 100 kilovolt-ampere transformer with 8.32 kilovolts (or less) on the high side has a typical value of 2.6% impedance. 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. Whatever colors and pattern you choose, just make sure to keep a good notebook handy to reference later. June 5, 2022; cleveland open chess 2021; mexican martial arts xilam Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. I have noticed that my old transformers do not work well or not work at all with newer electronic whistle tenders. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. I use to use one KW for 70 feet of main line, sidings and switching yard entry track. --Toy Train Collecting and Operating, by John Grams. White and black are common selections. Classic cars have a 5 or 6 as their second digit [25051, 16686, etc]. 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. These can all have uses for your layout. 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! By continuing to use this site, you indicate you accept these terms. Although it will not have any impact on the performance of the wire within, choosing multiple colors of wire, and standardizing on a specific color for each function, will go a long way in making your wiring easier to install and easier to detect flaws later on. 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. I have a 3amp, 40watt transformer. The same is true for other electronic projects around your layout and inside buildings, train cars, and even locomotives. The Atlas and Bachmann 80 watt transformers, they are one and the same, can be had for around $75.00. Will get a Z4000 one day [this summer probably, unless I find a good deal on an older ZW] just to say I have one. Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands! For most layouts, and most scales, Number14 stranded wire will work best for your bus. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. Right now I am running 8 motors on one KW [the new one I found] and got the old one for reserve. With the ever-increasing amount of small electronics in today's sophisticated models, this protection is more important than ever. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. 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. Because the runs are short and power demands so low, this fine wire poses no safety threat. Checklist Transformer Size Calculator When sizing a transformer, you need to know the kilovolt-amps (KVA) that your machine requires. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, WELCOME TO THE FORUM Mike!! They are fun to have. 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. They are fun to have. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. It is much easier to be ready ahead of time then to have to do some changes afterwards. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. If youre going to run more than one train, you can pair up two smaller transformers, or you can look at the two-handled transformers. 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. Likewise, if you only want to run one train at a time, you can keep other trains on the track by wiring with blocks, and turning off trains that are not in use. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. 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. Some of the variables are obvious, others not so much. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! Sign-up for email today! I covered the more common ones, but if you have another vintage Lionel transformer of more than 75 watts and its in good condition, theres no reason not to use it. I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. 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. You can't count on a lack of compatibility issues for one Legacy locomotive being definitive for all Legacy locomotives, for example. That said, if youre uncomfortable fixing a transformer, I wont look down on you for buying one someone else fixed up. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. You could have a poor connection that caused the wire to heat up. I cant see you needing more than a capacity of 5 amps. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. Wire gauges are coded by their size. When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. Price Received. These small power supplies are designed to supply a few amps of power. God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. Transformer capacity is rated in KVA (kilo-volt-amperes). Never had a problem. The locomotives are battery-powered and made of durable plastic. 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. CW80 Transformer. Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. --I need a station for the train to stop at. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. to run conventional you will need Legacy plus a Powermaster and Powermaster Bridge or Legacy and a TPC 300/400. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. Past,presentand future. Transformer sizing for new systems Effort. 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. Its a good transformer. In some cases. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. If you have to ask,your needs are a lot more modest than that. 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. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! 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. 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. (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. First, a few general notes about choosing wire. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. 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. Our community is FREE to join. Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. 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. Price Received. Ok our layout is 10 x 20 = 200 sq ft x 2 = 400 watts. The best of the best Lionel trains are very valuable. Forgot about light bulbs since I don't got some yet. If you need a device that converts from different voltages so it can power another device, then a transformer will fulfill that role perfectly. If the transformer fails, you most likely have a short or overload somewhere in the control circuit. I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. It was a symbiotic relationship, the engineer designed it and the tech built it, then they both troubleshot it. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Lionel Rolling Stock Identification Guide. I will make a note here. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. This drawing illustrates all of the key functionality of a Lionel KW transformer. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. RemembertheVeterans. The transformer included with your starter set should be adequate to handle a modest expansion of your train set discussed above. Join Today! electronically controlled outputs. Just not quite as much. 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 many first-time train buyers, once the initial excitement of setting up the train and watching it run has passed, the desire to make it do more usually begins. 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? Number 22 solid wire works best on most scales. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. And that means theyre affordable. This works for command control layouts too, since those parked trains are still drawing some current. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. I'll take this information and run with it to help get me started. Check out my O scale layout progress at MTF, does track consume power? I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. Everyone wanted the two-handled, football-shaped, 275-watt powerhouse that was the ZW.
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