In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. The circuit breaker should trip with a click and the transformer should go dead. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. If you want a spur track to store an extra car or two, Lionel makes another expansion set [#12044] that does just that: Note that this set includes one switch which is the track section that makes the track diverge onto two separate routes. If they do, follow their recommendations. Price Received. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. While those locomotives and their sound systems are designed to operate using conventional transformers like your ZW, digital controllers are needed to activate additional features like special sound effects and coupler activation. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, Calculating transformer size for layout size. LGB throttles 51070, 52120 and 52121 will all work with the 50061 and other LGB transformers. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. Is there anyway of saying how much track it will power? Ok our layout is 10 x 20 = 200 sq ft x 2 = 400 watts. This signifies compatibility with 50 Hertz power. If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. If you like fixing things, fixing an old transformer is rewarding. 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. Pretty much suffered the same fate, too. 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. 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. It also has an optional bell sound that can be turned on and off. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. 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. 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. Its a good transformer. what size lionel transformer do i need. I went to mth Z1000, jason's train shop has the best price's I have seen for these. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. --Heck, watching one train run is great, Ill bet TWO would be even more fun! Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. 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. For a classic setup of a single freight train running on a 48 (or smaller) sheet of plywood, a 90-wattLionel 1033 or 1044 is an excellent choice. 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. 24v, 120v, 208v, 240v, 480v, and 600v). The higher powered units would not meet todays safety standards as issued by Underwriters Laboratories. Used a 1033 for accessories and lights. The two types of cars will connect together just fine, but when side-by-side in a train, they may look a bit odd. These small power supplies are designed to supply a few amps of power. The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. If you need a device that converts from different voltages so it can power another device, then a transformer will fulfill that role perfectly. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. TRANSFORMERS ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. 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. 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. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. 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. 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. Professionals Need: Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime: Prime Video Direct Beginners Ask Trains New trains; old transformers. The 190-wattLionel KWwas the second biggest and second best transformer of the postwar era. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. The Lionel 1033 can be used for small or medium-sized layouts. 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. It has FasTrack connectors on one end and O Gauge track pins on the other. 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. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. Please see our article on Fastrack here for more information. QUOTE: by Skyray "Typical engineer--you need a technician. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). With the ever-increasing amount of small electronics in today's sophisticated models, this protection is more important than ever. Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. Alternating current (AC) is the preferred power for most O Gauge three-rail trains as well as some two-rail systems in smaller scales. Understanding Electrical Supplies and Controls. 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. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. The first Lionel electric trains were powered by wet-cell batteries, which were, of course, dangerous. Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on 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. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. 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. Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. It can be a great secondary power supply for lighted buildings, signals, and other accessories. --I need a station for the train to stop at. The iconic and legendary 270-watt Lionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. [:)]. Classic Toy Trains 5-Year Collection 2015-2019 DVD-ROM. Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are somecompatibilityissues with certain locomotives versus manufacturer's transformer output wave forms. 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. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. As your layout grows so, too, will its power demand. 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. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. 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. They run on three rail track. Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands! A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. 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. Click here to learn about the Unlimited Membership. Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. 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. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! To participate you must either login or register for an account. The preferred choice for wiring control panels is telephone or telecommunications wire. The wire can also be purchased as solid or stranded. 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. In addition to the wire itself, connectors like crimp-on terminals and terminal blocks must also be purchased in larger (and more expensive) sizes. 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. First, a few general notes about choosing wire. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. editors report that most of the wiring issues they address involve basic principles of electricity - the stuff that Ben Franklin played with when he flew his kite. But it is important to take a close look at the cars to make sure that they are a good match for your set. Number 22 solid wire works best on most scales. As the motor takes in more electricity, the arm turns faster and faster. Fortunately, in the early 21st century it is easier to expand your starter set than ever before. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. The multi-conductor wire is also available. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. properly wired transformer can handle any amount of track. Tech Support for the OGR Forum (NOT FOR TRAINS), PRR fellas!lets build an S2!! Kind Regards Steve, QUOTE: by Dave Has anyone here ever blown a transformer from hauling a double-headed Allegheny coal drag up a 2 percent grade?. Retrofitting a subway line into existing benchwork - and are subway sets still being made? Wire gauges are coded by their size. It will require a minimum of 108' of track just to do a basic rectangle before I add any switches, etc. This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. These can all have uses for your layout. Do not connect this product to any other power supply. Multi-conductor wires with many strands of finer wire are more common for telecommunications and electronics. View More! (using 4 of the 180 watt Lionel bricks) That's 10 amps per channel on all 4 channels. (10 lights X . Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. A Passenger consist can easily use more power than the engine. 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)! 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. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions! CW80 Transformer. Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. Can't plug into outlet? Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. HO gauge is very popular because of its size. Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. This will solve the slowdown problem. Needless to say the "Spring into Spring" train show very nearly became unsprung! 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. 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. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. This is where the Lionel transformer comparisons should begin. If your layout is bigger than 48, you may actually find trains run a bit better with a KW than with a smaller transformer. I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. The locomotives are battery-powered and made of durable plastic. 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. "What size wire should I use?" 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. In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. . The farther from the transformer the more resistance in the rails and your engine will slow down. 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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