The modern equivalent is the Lionel CW-80, but frankly I like the old ones better. Thanks! ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. It is 5" long. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? 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. If you plan to add a second loop for another train in the near future, the 14198 would be a wise investment. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . The chances are that little power supply isn't going to keep the train running over a full mile, however. You can't count on a lack of compatibility issues for one Legacy locomotive being definitive for all Legacy locomotives, for example. Here are some simple definitions for these electrical terms: Most power supplies will be labeled as to the scales they are meant to handle. Today Lionel includes the same basic track oval in all starter sets8 36-inch diameter curve sections, 3 10 straight track sections, and 1 10 straight terminal section, which create this layout: Until recently, to add to this layout, you would need to buy separate straight, curved, and other track sections and wing it in creating a larger setup. Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. What size Lionel transformer do I need? The good news is, Lionel made a lot of good transformers over the years. 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. Check out my O scale layout progress at MTF, does track consume power? A. 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. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. Wow.thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! It was a symbiotic relationship, the engineer designed it and the tech built it, then they both troubleshot it. A large number of the Lionel Collectors Club UK use this set up to good effect. Ive talked more about the Lionel RW and the LW as well. First, a few general notes about choosing wire. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. Power Conversion for Lionel Trains and O-Gauge - KCC Scientific Classic Toy Trains 5-Year Collection 2015-2019 DVD-ROM. Past,presentand future. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. Needless to say the "Spring into Spring" train show very nearly became unsprung! 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. It is not uncommon to see 50-year-old transformers still going strong on a model railroad. I'm not sure I completely understand your question. The smaller the number, the larger the wire. Transformer Sizing Calculator 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. 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 wire can also be purchased as solid or stranded. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. is always one of the first questions asked when someone starts to build a model railroad. In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. Model Train Track & Transformer at Lionel Trains 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. The other type of cars are the Scale cars, which are exact or near-exact replicas of actual freight cars. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. 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. Sell Your Trains Using a Live Auction House. How Many Lights Can I Connect To My Transformer? - LightUp We're sorry. The transformer, when operated at the lower frequency, may . The farther from the transformer the more resistance in the rails and your engine will slow down. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. 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. Dang, this math makes my head hurt. Lionel CW80's can be found for around $50 at Greenberg and other train shows. I have purchased diodes to put into the older transformers to see if this resolves the issue with newer tenders. Over the years I have collected boxed (mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. Expanding Your Lionel Starter Set - Trainz The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. 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 Lionel Trains: Value, History and What Collectors Should Know 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. Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following, $12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable). The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. However, there are times when the solid wire has advantages, particularly when soldering in small locations. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! Good choices are the Lionel 32923 Accessory Transformer, or another 80-watt transformer like the one included in your set, #14198. 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. 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. Why Do Lionel Trains Have 3 Rails? | Worldwide Rails Get 20 articles about compact layouts and how to build them. This thing has more power then I will ever need. Extending the Reach of Your Power Then the K's will do siding and switching yard duty. The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. Lionel Electric Toy Train Transformer Identification Guide 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. Do not use this device if water is present. Many manufacturers assemble cases with special screws to prevent access to the inside and accidental shock. I think the RW is a bit better value, but that could just be timing. 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. how much track can a transformer handle? | Model Train Forum This is different from the stranded wire in that the different individual wires, each with their color-coded insulation, is placed inside a secondary insulation wrap. 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. I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. "What size wire should I use?" Checklist Transformer Size Calculator When sizing a transformer, you need to know the kilovolt-amps (KVA) that your machine requires. LGB FAQs : Power 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. 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. They are known as HO train sets because they are half the size of O-guage. 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. 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. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. Effort. It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. 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. Lionel has a new 180 watt transformer due out soon that will be a nice upgrade. Its a bargain at that price. Although all Lionel cars operate on O Gauge track, the bodies of the cars are made in two slightly different sizes. By continuing to use this site, you indicate you accept these terms. Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. They give a true 180 watts and have excellent electronic breakers. 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. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. --The O Gauge Railroading Primer, by Christopher Ritchie. As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 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. Never had a problem. Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. 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. The choice of a control system is somewhat, but not necessarily, dependent on which manufacturers engines you prefer or have the most of. The Lionel 1033 can be used for small or medium-sized layouts. 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. The multi-conductor wire is also available. Wire gauges are coded by their size. DCC is less common in starter sets, but some are available. If the second digit is 9, it could be either, so be careful when considering one of them. That means there are lots of them. You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together. Can't plug into outlet? If they do, follow their recommendations. And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. They are fun to have. 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. Because of this, like with lighting and accessories, your power supply and wiring for switch machines do not need to be as robust. --Toy Train Collecting and Operating, by John Grams. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! 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. The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. 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. In the middle range, Lionel made a lot of other transformers. 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. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Lionel Fastrack Track System O Scale Trains | Lionel Fastrack for Sale A new ZW will run you in the neighborhood of $450.00 or a little less depending on your dealership. Do not operate the CW-80 Transformer with a damaged cord, plug, or case. Twin coil machines have a higher current draw when in motion but are also much faster-acting than the motorized versions. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. Amazon.com: Lionel O Gauge Transformer Dave, the nice thing about Lionel transformers is you can run them until the bimetallic breaker pops and then you let it cool and you are back in action (after shutting a few things down)! If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it! 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. 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. Lionel made a lot of other transformers over the years. If you need a device that converts from different voltages so it can power another device, then a transformer will fulfill that role perfectly. Come join the discussion about brands, various scales, repairs, storage, displays, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. Now, I diconnected that old dinosaur and connected two separate smaller ones which weren't powerful enough to run my Amtrack MTH trains. Serious or fatal injuries may result. A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. A rule of thumb from the elders, (I had to go to the mountain top for this one), Add 2 more watts for Spankybird's fun-filled layout! White and black are common selections. Right now I am running 8 motors on one KW [the new one I found] and got the old one for reserve. 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. 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. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. HO gauge is very popular because of its size. 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? Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. To determine the required transformer VA, multiply the secondary voltage by the required amperes: For example, VA=Volts x Amperes or 28V x 1.2 amperes = 33.6 VA. To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. Model train power falls into one of three categories. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. 24v, 120v, 208v, 240v, 480v, and 600v). To participate you must either login or register for an account. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. [:)]. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! Lionel and other train manufacturers have worked hard to make adding to a set easy, affordable, and fun. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. 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. It has FasTrack connectors on one end and O Gauge track pins on the other. If you have the proper wire size and a properly-sized circuit breaker, you should not have any problems using the old transformer. Because the runs are short and power demands so low, this fine wire poses no safety threat. This has the added advantage that Lionel TMCC (command control) will operate correctly. This conserves the trains' power supply for their needs and makes troubleshooting much easier. 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. Price Received. Scale cars almost always have the number 7 as the second digit in their number [17623, 27241, etc]. 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. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. 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. Pretty much suffered the same fate, too. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. . 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 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. Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts - The Spruce Crafts 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. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. This would be more than enough for any single train and a few accessories. When they were manufactured by The American Flyer Manufacturing Company, they were made in Standard Gauge and a version of "O" gauge. This is where the Lionel transformer comparisons should begin. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. How to Properly Size a Transformer | Behler-Young I use to use one KW for 70 feet of main line, sidings and switching yard entry track. * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. We use a ZW 275 and a KW on this, so 405 watts. I can remember a time when a Lionel ZW would set you back $275. The KW used to be really expensive, but since Lionel started making big transformers again, you can get a KW for what a 1033 used to cost, which makes it a very nice bargain today on a rugged and powerful transformer with an impressive presence. Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. Don't just discard your starter set pack, though. 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 Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. Antique Train Sets - FAQs for Lionel Collectors Club of America The motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. These transformers are much cheaper than they were even just a few years ago, but that just makes them a bigger bargain today. Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. 10 Easy Ways to Improve a Christmas Train Display, Wiring a Model Railroad for Block Operation, How to Build and Wire Reverse Loops for Model Trains, How to Choose the Right Transformer for Your Model Trains, Compatibility of Different Model Train Brands, HO Scale Track Plans for Model Train Layouts, buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories. 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. Price Received. Doug, there's definitely room for the liberal arts approach to the hobby--I have a journalism degree; how I became a computer technician was pretty much an accident. (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). We feature Lionel, American Flyer, MTH, Atlas O, Williams Trains, K-Line, Weaver Models, and more. Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. The Lionel Multi-control 1033 is a 90 watt transformer produced from 1948 to 1956. The thing that eats current is a lot of light bulbs on the layout. This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? 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. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. Besides the train and track, accessories provide a lot of fun and animation to any setup. Some of the variables are obvious, others not so much. Not wanting to give up, I experimented with an 80 watt modern Lionel transformer and got great results. I have noticed that my old transformers do not work well or not work at all with newer electronic whistle tenders. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. The locomotives are battery-powered and made of durable plastic. Lionels HO Gauge items are back! Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on 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. Transformer Size Calculator - Electram These can all have uses for your layout. In either case, however, voltage and amperage draw is low and peak for only brief periods. There are many advantages in repairing or reconditioning your transformers. Solid wire is preferable as it is much easier to solder to the rails. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. The transition section (#12040) allows you to connect conventional O Gauge track to FasTrack. Digital command control systems (DCC) uses digital information to control the electrical power to the train. Handbook of layout wiring | Classic Toy Trains Magazine VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Amperes = VA/Secondary Volts or 40VA/28V = 1.43 amperes. It is also a good idea to run your accessories off of a separate power supply and wire grid from the trains themselves. Actually the choice of transformer is secondary to the choice of control systems since you can operate O gauge trains with most any good modern transformer. 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. This will solve the slowdown problem. Here are a few: --The Lionel Fastrack Book, by Robert Schleicher. Sign-up for email today! Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. They have everything you need for a basic setup, and the larger ones are capable of running the smaller layouts you see in the train magazines, so they have some room for growth. A Passenger consist can easily use more power than the engine. But if you already have a 1034 and dont need a whistle button, go ahead and use it. Many load and unload freight from specially designed cars as well. What size Lionel transformer do I need? That could also be the reason the other transformers don't work. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . I went to mth Z1000, jason's train shop has the best price's I have seen for these. I don't want to buy a lot more track, but then find out the transformer is too weak, if that make sense.