Although all Lionel cars operate on O Gauge track, the bodies of the cars are made in two slightly different sizes. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. It can run four tracks at one time, so you layout can grow. Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content. You have pretty much pointed up the major problem, everything is different. However, there are times when the solid wire has advantages, particularly when soldering in small locations. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. The Lionel Multi-control 1033 is a 90 watt transformer produced from 1948 to 1956. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! 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. Ive talked more about the KW here. The transition section (#12040) allows you to connect conventional O Gauge track to FasTrack. Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. 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. If you're experiencing problems with your wiring due to humidity, for example, you are going to face even greater issues with the trains and tracks themselves. And again regardless of scale or manufacturer, switch machines of these two types will have similar needs and performance. Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. Sign-up for email today! As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. With multiple switches, lights, power supplies and more all concentrated in a small space, color coding and neatness pay off. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. They are known as HO train sets because they are half the size of O-guage. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. 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. Lionel made these for years and kept them in production under a different model number well into the 1970s because it was a reliable, dependable design and had enough power for a typical starter set while leaving some room to grow. I have a basement that offers an 18" concrete ledge that goes around the entire perimeter of the house that lends itself perfectly to a neat layout. Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. 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? 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. You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together. You may never use all the amps, but it's usually cheaper to grow into a power supply than to continually upgrade. 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. Frankly, its hard to go wrong with either of these transformers, especially at todays prices. One rail is positive, the other negative. The Atlas and Bachmann 80 watt transformers, they are one and the same, can be had for around $75.00. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. 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. The Lionel ZW is Lionel's most iconic transformer of the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps one of its most iconic products, period. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe. (using 4 of the 180 watt Lionel bricks) That's 10 amps per channel on all 4 channels. That means there are lots of them. 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. Some people even find it fun. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. You can also run Lionel TMCC/Legacy Command Engines using the MTH DCS system with the addition of a Lionel command base and an additional cable. 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. Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. Outdoor railroads are, of course, an exception! Now, I diconnected that old dinosaur and connected two separate smaller ones which weren't powerful enough to run my Amtrack MTH trains. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. The first is the traditional or classic size, which are the cars that match starter sets. 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. Alternating current (AC) is the preferred power for most O Gauge three-rail trains as well as some two-rail systems in smaller scales. Connecticut Valley Railroad -- A Branch of the New York, New Haven, And Hartford. 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. Our transformer sizing calculator allows you to obtain the minimum single or three-phase transformer size required based on the load you need to power. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. 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. The thing that eats current is a lot of light bulbs on the layout. If you have a starter set and have had thoughts like this, youre not alone. The motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. 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. 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. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. 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. Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. Understanding Electrical Supplies and Controls. Great for learning all you will ever want to know about Lionels track system. Keep the power supplies in an area where they get plenty of air circulation to prevent overheating. Here at Trainz, we carry all of the products you will need to go from a starter set to a miniature railroad empire. 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. Many will still run on the track in your starter set, but because they are scale sized, the bodies of these cars may be slightly wider and longer than those in your set. My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). A new ZW will run you in the neighborhood of $450.00 or a little less depending on your dealership. --Heck, watching one train run is great, Ill bet TWO would be even more fun! 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. Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' Henry V. I am a person with a very active inner child. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. Been there, done that. This works for command control layouts too, since those parked trains are still drawing some current. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. Don't just discard your starter set pack, though. But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. 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. DCC decoders are one good example where the wire colors are critical. I'm not sure I completely understand your question. Get 20 articles about compact layouts and how to build them. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. 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. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. I have had the same problem. This is because the demands for power are becoming more than your transformer can handle. I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. There have been issues with chopped waveform transformers, i.e. the amount of track is not what is important here. Never had a problem. 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. The old transformer is not really the problem, the problem is the supply wire, particularly under heavyload (or derailment without the benefit of a quicker breaker). Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your railroad. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. 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. If you have the proper wire size and a properly-sized circuit breaker, you should not have any problems using the old transformer. For safety reasons, the batteries were soon replaced by a 110 volt transformer. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. 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. 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. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! Wire gauges are coded by their size. Some DCC systems also recommend solid wire for certain applications. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. What do I need to do that with? Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. Just not quite as much. 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). You can use bus and feeder wires to more evenly distribute the power over your track. Not really a how-to-build-a-layout book, but it is a good general introduction to the hobby full of interesting stuff. 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. Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). 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. 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. 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. Dang, this math makes my head hurt. (NEW/LIKE NEW), running TMCC And DCS engines with DCS handheld, terrible crash in Greece, multiple fatalities, Its.Public Delivery Track ..NEWSpecial run corner, Improving Appearance of 0-gauge Tubular Track. Not wanting to give up, I experimented with an 80 watt modern Lionel transformer and got great results. Price Received. I have purchased diodes to put into the older transformers to see if this resolves the issue with newer tenders. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. I bet they would be great for running lights and unloading the main transformer. Lionel introduced a few LionChief Plus 2.0 starter sets in 2022. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. 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. If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! The accessory activation track (#12029) is used to activate Lionel trackside accessories. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . Anyway if it takes me 100 years to finish this thing one thing is for sure I will not have to worry about powering anything and everything. The 110-wattLionel RW is a cheap option, and the 125-watt LW, while a bit more expensive, gives a bit more power. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. This conserves the trains' power supply for their needs and makes troubleshooting much easier. Just get a Lionel #12053 Accessory wire set and enough extra wire to connect from the wire set back to your transformer [speaker wire works well]. 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 Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. The smaller the number, the larger the wire. The locomotives are battery-powered and made of durable plastic. 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (15) Ages: 14 years and up. 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. I really doubt you will need more than that. The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. --Build a Better Toy Train Layout, by John Grams and Dick Christianson. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Lionel 1033 Transformer Renovation Part I Peter Fenzel 306 subscribers Subscribe 11K views 3 years ago Lionel 1033 Transformer gets cleaned up, a new power cord, a new whistle rectifier. As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. Past,presentand future. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. (Electrical Contractor with dear old Dad for 30 years) Regards Steve. In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. We're sorry. All Lionel transformer comparisons should include the common 1033, RW, LW, KW and ZW transformers. Lots of good tips for building a layout from two of the most experienced people in the hobby. If you fried a wire going to the track it may not be a transformer problem. They are fun to have. 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. Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. Some systems will use bluetooth technology enabling you to control the trains with your tablet or cell phone. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on Although I am an electrical engineer, I just add stuff until the transformer gets too warm and then I branch off and add another. Safety first. Mark. It is important to remember that the real test of the power supply is the load you'll place on it. Some of the variables are obvious, others not so much. I went to mth Z1000, jason's train shop has the best price's I have seen for these. I have a basement that offers an 18" concrete ledge that goes around theentire perimeter of the house that lends itself perfectly to a neat layout.
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