Transformers are designed to fail if a short in the secondary or control side occurs. 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. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. Pretty much suffered the same fate, too. Transformer Calculator KVA Calculator Full Load Amps Calculator 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. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. 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. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. White and black are common selections. And both of them give more wattage per handle than a KW or ZW. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. Lionel and other train manufacturers have worked hard to make adding to a set easy, affordable, and fun. Lionel Trains: Value, History and What Collectors Should Know 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. All about the Lionel ZW - The Silicon Underground Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. --Build a Better Toy Train Layout, by John Grams and Dick Christianson. Hello, I'm new to this site, and completely new to toy trains also - so please pardon my ignorance! Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. For a passenger train with lighted cars, getting a little more power isnt a bad idea. 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. 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. Also, you wont be able to take advantage of independent control of multiple engines on the same track without a digital controller. To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. In the middle range, Lionel made a lot of other transformers. The Lionel Multi-control 1033 is a 90 watt transformer produced from 1948 to 1956. This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. For most layouts, and most scales, Number14 stranded wire will work best for your bus. Scale cars almost always have the number 7 as the second digit in their number [17623, 27241, etc]. Price Received. Remember, the only silly question is the one that you did not ask. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. The two types of cars will connect together just fine, but when side-by-side in a train, they may look a bit odd. 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. 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. Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. 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. 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. Although not necessarily a mandated standard, white, black and or red are used for track power on most layouts - if for no other reason than these colors are easiest to find. Fortunately, in the early 21st century it is easier to expand your starter set than ever before. Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. What size Lionel transformer do I need? - Tracks-movie.com Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! 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. http://www.lccuk.org.uk/lccuk Regards Nick Save Reply Quote N Nick12DMC Registered Whatever colors and pattern you choose, just make sure to keep a good notebook handy to reference later. When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. I thought an ENGINEER was the guy driving the train? 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. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. 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. If you have time, check out the "Coffee Pot". * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. I don't want to buy a lot more track, but then find out the transformer is too weak, if that make sense. The Lionel ZW is Lionel's most iconic transformer of the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps one of its most iconic products, period. Lionel, LLC continued to manufacture and market trains and accessories in O scale under the Lionel brand and S gauge under the American Flyer brand. M3103. Because of this, like with lighting and accessories, your power supply and wiring for switch machines do not need to be as robust. Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! What lionel transformer do i need - Go Quick Qna They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). The 1033 is not the same as the 1044. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a . 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. Our community is FREE to join. Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. 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. :-). These sets use a remote control which talks directly to a receiver in the locomotive. 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). Power Conversion for Lionel Trains and O-Gauge - KCC Scientific All of the transformers that have more than 90 Watts are in great demand today as more collectors are operating retro-layouts. Lionel Rolling Stock Identification Guide. 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. 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. Here are some simple definitions for these electrical terms: Most power supplies will be labeled as to the scales they are meant to handle. 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. Some systems will use bluetooth technology enabling you to control the trains with your tablet or cell phone. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. I got a lot of lightweight transformers that came with starter sets over the years. They are fun to have. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. If you like fixing things, fixing an old transformer is rewarding. is always one of the first questions asked when someone starts to build a model railroad. Lest I offend, in another plane of existence I was an electronics tech. 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. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! 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. Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. 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. Its a good transformer. 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. This is why my wife loves me so. 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. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. Model Train Scales & Gauges: The Lionel Trains Guide 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . 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. Lionels HO Gauge items are back! You can't count on a lack of compatibility issues for one Legacy locomotive being definitive for all Legacy locomotives, for example. 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. 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. 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. Past,presentand future. Alternating current (AC) is the preferred power for most O Gauge three-rail trains as well as some two-rail systems in smaller scales. How to correctly size a transformer | Consulting - Specifying Engineer The preferred choice for wiring control panels is telephone or telecommunications wire. 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. Different wiring projects call for different standards. But it is important to take a close look at the cars to make sure that they are a good match for your set. The modern equivalent is the Lionel CW-80, but frankly I like the old ones better. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). 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. Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. Its a bargain at that price. Problem with Rail King Protocol Sounds reversing unit, My D-190 Back in Action After Move to to NC, Caboose Identification - late era vintage, Continuing Saga Newtown Hardwrare House WIP. Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. This signifies compatibility with 50 Hertz power. (using 4 of the 180 watt Lionel bricks) That's 10 amps per channel on all 4 channels. The larger wire is usually more expensive and more challenging to work with. LGB throttles 51070, 52120 and 52121 will all work with the 50061 and other LGB transformers. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. How do you choose the right power supply for your model trains? A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. When they were manufactured by The American Flyer Manufacturing Company, they were made in Standard Gauge and a version of "O" gauge. The house's current is reduced to the required low voltage by Trainmaster Transformers. It also has an optional bell sound that can be turned on and off. Mike to the forum. 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. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. A large number of the Lionel Collectors Club UK use this set up to good effect. This has the added advantage that Lionel TMCC (command control) will operate correctly. The greatest transformer Lionel made in the postwar era was the 270 watt Lionel ZW. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. My question is this in order that this doesn't happen again what type of transformer would you recommend? By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. Transformer Size Requirement? - Classic Toy Trains Magazine Serious or fatal injuries may result. All members here are welcome to drop in and visit. 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. 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. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. 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). Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. That said, if youre uncomfortable fixing a transformer, I wont look down on you for buying one someone else fixed up. The thing that eats current is a lot of light bulbs on the layout. Lionel 1033 90 watt Transformer Postwar from 1950s-60s Whistle, Direction. Are you running command or conventional? The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. Just not quite as much. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. Thanks in advance for any information, Mike. The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. If your track joints aren't near perfect or if you should want to split that loop into two blocks, you'll double the voltage drop. 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. Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. I went to mth Z1000, jason's train shop has the best price's I have seen for these. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. If they do, follow their recommendations. We're sorry. One rail is positive, the other negative. Outdoor railroads are, of course, an exception! We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. Lionel has a new 180 watt transformer due out soon that will be a nice upgrade. Over the years I have collected boxed(mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. Expanding the basic oval from the set is the quickest way to add more interest to your trains. An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! There are many advantages in repairing or reconditioning your transformers. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! Mike, The size of the transformer is dictated by what you want to run, the more you run the more power you will need. In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. 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. Theres nothing inherently wrong with them, though I would shy away from the smaller transformers that are less than 75 watts, including the modern CW-40. Check out my O scale layout progress at MTF, does track consume power?