By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, WELCOME TO THE FORUM Mike!! $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. They're controlled with a simple handheld remote control and run on easy-to-connect plastic track. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. 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 Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. Also, you wont be able to take advantage of independent control of multiple engines on the same track without a digital controller. What does a Lionel transformer do? Good choices are the Lionel 32923 Accessory Transformer, or another 80-watt transformer like the one included in your set, #14198. Everyone wanted the two-handled, football-shaped, 275-watt powerhouse that was the ZW. 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. What size Lionel transformer do I need? - Tracks-movie.com However, there are times when the solid wire has advantages, particularly when soldering in small locations. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, so you'll need to consider what you want to do and measure your options accordingly. "What size wire should I use?" Although I am an electrical engineer, I just add stuff until the transformer gets too warm and then I branch off and add another. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. 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. The load voltage and load amps must be known to calculate KVA rating. 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. Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! Lionel Electric Toy Train Transformer Identification Guide For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. The typ miniature incandecents we use average about 100 ma of current each. When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better? 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. Some people even find it fun. I use to use one KW for 70 feet of main line, sidings and switching yard entry track. Now, I diconnected that old dinosaur and connected two separate smaller ones which weren't powerful enough to run my Amtrack MTH trains. 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. Sign-up for email today! I'm not sure I completely understand your question. Fortunately, in the early 21st century it is easier to expand your starter set than ever before. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! 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. 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. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. 40-200 20 Watt DC Transformer - Small DC transformer suitable for powering a single HO diesel or steam locomotive equipped with Proto-Sound 3.0. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. 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. 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. [:)]. If the transformer fails, you most likely have a short or overload somewhere in the control circuit. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content. Getting Started - 3 RAIL TRAINS You don't want to try to solder even Number 16 gauge wire right to your rails, however. On a large loop of track you will need to have multiple drops, hook-ups, to the transformer because if you only have one hook up the train will get slower the father away it gets from the transformer. 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. Older transformers I had this issue with are RW, 1033, KW, ZW.newer transformers were all made by MTH. Mike to the forum. Amazon.com: Lionel Transformer Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. You should take care, however, to replace worn cords and wires. 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. --Heck, watching one train run is great, Ill bet TWO would be even more fun! Our community is FREE to join. 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. All of the transformers that have more than 90 Watts are in great demand today as more collectors are operating retro-layouts. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. 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. Transformer for Lionel that works in AUSTRALIA From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. I think the RW is a bit better value, but that could just be timing. A: According to Lionel's head of customer service, on the underside of their CW80 transformers, starting in late 2009, the vendor applied a sticker that states "QC50" on it. Antique Train Sets - FAQs for Lionel Collectors Club of America Wire gauges are coded by their size. DCC is less common in starter sets, but some are available. 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. There are many advantages in repairing or reconditioning your transformers. If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! This will solve the slowdown problem. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. These small power supplies are designed to supply a few amps of power. Handbook of layout wiring | Classic Toy Trains Magazine But it is important to take a close look at the cars to make sure that they are a good match for your set. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. Price Received. And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. 7 Best Transformer For Model Railway - LEDS.CC --I need a station for the train to stop at. Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 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. With the ever-increasing amount of small electronics in today's sophisticated models, this protection is more important than ever. The first is the traditional or classic size, which are the cars that match starter sets. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. Number 22 solid wire works best on most scales. To participate you must either login or register for an account. You have pretty much pointed up the major problem, everything is different. In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". Of course, the answer to that question depends on many things. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. Ok our layout is 10 x 20 = 200 sq ft x 2 = 400 watts. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. no it isn't. Lionels HO Gauge items are back! The motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. Which Lionel transformer do I need? - The Silicon Underground Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. How to correctly size a transformer | Consulting - Specifying Engineer 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. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. Faq No: 1029 The CW-80 is a nice little transformer, has accessory output as well,but as you have stated you will outgrow the CW-80 pretty quick. 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. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! 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. Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. What type is your old transformer? If you plan to add a second loop for another train in the near future, the 14198 would be a wise investment. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. 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. If you like fixing things, fixing an old transformer is rewarding. I'll take this information and run with it to help get me started. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. While it is tempting to go with the biggest wire possible to guarantee excess capacity, there are drawbacks to putting in more than you need. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . Of all the questions fielded by the staff of Classic Toy Trains, inquiries regarding layout wiring top the list.While you might expect numerous questions regarding complex techniques or new technologies, CTT. Right now I am running 8 motors on one KW [the new one I found] and got the old one for reserve. 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. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. 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.
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