Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. Scale cars almost always have the number 7 as the second digit in their number [17623, 27241, etc]. The two types of cars will connect together just fine, but when side-by-side in a train, they may look a bit odd. 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. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. 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. This is interesting stuff. This set also includes an uncoupling track section, which will disconnect cars from one another at the touch of a button, and a bumper, which keeps cars from rolling off the end of the track. Twin coil machines have a higher current draw when in motion but are also much faster-acting than the motorized versions. Amperes = VA/Secondary Volts or 40VA/28V = 1.43 amperes. Some DCC systems also recommend solid wire for certain applications. 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. 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. 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. The first is the traditional or classic size, which are the cars that match starter sets. Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on And of course, individual Fastrack sections are also available. A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. 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. The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. For most layouts, and most scales, Number14 stranded wire will work best for your bus. The Atlas and Bachmann 80 watt transformers, they are one and the same, can be had for around $75.00. Which Lionel transformer do I need? you ask? Lionel makes a seemingly infinite number of cars to in a variety of colors, types, and road names. 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. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. How to open tamper resistant outlets, Xxcopy vs Xcopy: Command line copy utilities, Where to connect the red wire to a light switch, Brains 25 cents: The story behind the meme. Service/Tested $55.00 1 bid $14.06 shipping 1d 6h LIONEL TYPE (KW) TRAINMASTER TRANSFORMER FOR PARTS OR RESTORATION $17.05 4 bids $19.95 shipping 9h 23m So, if you want to connect eight landscape lights to an electronic transformer, and the lights use 20 watts each, you would need a 160 watt transformer. As the motor takes in more electricity, the arm turns faster and faster. Some of the variables are obvious, others not so much. All members here are welcome to drop in and visit. 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). Solid wire is preferable as it is much easier to solder to the rails. Ran 6 motors [MPC's]. TRANSFORMERS ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. 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. Starter sets almost always include a power supply along with the track and train. 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. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. It is important to remember that the real test of the power supply is the load you'll place on it. Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. Lots of good tips for building a layout from two of the most experienced people in the hobby. They are known as HO train sets because they are half the size of O-guage. Past,presentand future. 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. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. Trainz carries a variety of books that build upon the information listed above. 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? 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. As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. 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. Number 24 to Number20 wire will all work with most layouts. 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. 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. Our community is FREE to join. Safety first. Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following, $12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable). HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! Forgot about light bulbs since I don't got some yet. Three conductor wire is common for household use. 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. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. It states: 1.25 amps for each motor, 0.2 amps for each bulb. Understanding Electrical Supplies and Controls. Do not use this device if water is present. All of the transformers that have more than 90 Watts are in great demand today as more collectors are operating retro-layouts. I bet they would be great for running lights and unloading the main transformer. RemembertheVeterans. Use the CW-80 Transformer only for its intended purpose. For safety reasons, the batteries were soon replaced by a 110 volt transformer. 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. DCC is less common in starter sets, but some are available. The greatest transformer Lionel made in the postwar era was the 270 watt Lionel ZW. However, there are times when the solid wire has advantages, particularly when soldering in small locations. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. 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. The preferred choice for wiring control panels is telephone or telecommunications wire. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, Calculating transformer size for layout size. What does a Lionel transformer do? The same is true for other electronic projects around your layout and inside buildings, train cars, and even locomotives. It also has an optional bell sound that can be turned on and off. Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 Multi-conductor wires with many strands of finer wire are more common for telecommunications and electronics. 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. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. 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. 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. Number 22 solid wire works best on most scales. Does Lionel still make standard gauge trains? Like command control, these trains still require a constant voltage to the rails. When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. With multiple switches, lights, power supplies and more all concentrated in a small space, color coding and neatness pay off. Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. Ive talked more about the Lionel RW and the LW as well. What size Lionel transformer do I need? Sell Your Trains Using a Live Auction House. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. Another classic is the Automatic Gateman. 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. 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. And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. 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. 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 Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. The article you suggest would be a daunting task, as you'd have to gather virtually every known locomotive and transformer! As the train goes by, the door to the shed opens and a figure pops out, and once the train has passed the figure re-enters the building and the door shuts. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. The larger wire is usually more expensive and more challenging to work with. 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. They run on O Gauge track, but they are not exact O Scale cars. Retrofitting a subway line into existing benchwork - and are subway sets still being made? You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together. Controlled Magnetics has the manufacturing experience, knowledge, and facilities to repair a wide variety of electrical power transformers. The best of the best Lionel trains are very valuable. Ok our layout is 10 x 20 = 200 sq ft x 2 = 400 watts. Will get a Z4000 one day [this summer probably, unless I find a good deal on an older ZW] just to say I have one. Again, if you have a very long run between switches, going a little larger is less likely to cause problems with voltage loss. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. By continuing to use this site, you indicate you accept these terms. Here at Trainz, we carry all of the products you will need to go from a starter set to a miniature railroad empire. Wow.thanks for all the advice so far, guys!! If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. A model railroad train set designed for use in the United States will have a 115V AC 60Hz power requirement. Electric Trains make great power supplies, depending on usage, on a DCS controlled layout. 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. This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. no it isn't. :-). Mark. Should it be a Lionel or should it be an MTH with command control? 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. Everyone wanted the two-handled, football-shaped, 275-watt powerhouse that was the ZW. Everything you need to get going is included, its reliable, and setup is usually very easy. View More! Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. 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. Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. 24v, 120v, 208v, 240v, 480v, and 600v). There have been issues with chopped waveform transformers, i.e. If you have a very long run, you may want to consider Number 12 wire. Add a PW dual motor F3 (4 amps) with 5 lighted cars (another 10 bulbs - 1 amp) and you are cooking (9 amps). I've got around 320 ft of track between all of the mainline, sidings, etc and I don't have any problems running my engines anywhere on the layout. That said, if youre uncomfortable fixing a transformer, I wont look down on you for buying one someone else fixed up. Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. That means there are lots of them. It is much easier to be ready ahead of time then to have to do some changes afterwards. Checklist Transformer Size Calculator When sizing a transformer, you need to know the kilovolt-amps (KVA) that your machine requires. Lionel 1033 90 Watt Multi-control Transformer (102) $9.99 1 bid $16.00 shipping 2d 9h Lionel Type Z 250 Watt Transformer & One 167 Whistle Controllers. Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). Its a good transformer. If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below. The 110-wattLionel RW is a cheap option, and the 125-watt LW, while a bit more expensive, gives a bit more power. M3103. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. That's about enough to run a single locomotive and perhaps power a few lighted accessories or passenger cars. 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. Lionel and other train manufacturers have worked hard to make adding to a set easy, affordable, and fun. Expanding the basic oval from the set is the quickest way to add more interest to your trains. And both of them give more wattage per handle than a KW or ZW. While most of the American Flyer products are re-issues using old Gilbert tooling from the 1950s, the O scale equipment is a combination of new designs and reissues. Can't plug into outlet? Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness. 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)! Dang, this math makes my head hurt. Not wanting to give up, I experimented with an 80 watt modern Lionel transformer and got great results. $2799. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. "O" Gauge is what Lionel is today, along with "O27". A new ZW will run you in the neighborhood of $450.00 or a little less depending on your dealership. This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. As Paul said, the power needed doesn't have anything to do with the distance; but the voltage needed does. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. If you have time, check out the "Coffee Pot". If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. Fortunately, in the early 21st century it is easier to expand your starter set than ever before. We use a ZW 275 and a KW on this, so 405 watts. The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. Again, an independent power supply and distribution bus is a good idea for your switches. * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. (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. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. It has FasTrack connectors on one end and O Gauge track pins on the other. These sets use a remote control which talks directly to a receiver in the locomotive. The wire can also be purchased as solid or stranded. The least expensive power supply you should consider is the Lionel CW80 Transformer; you can buy a new one for about $150 or a used on one eBay for about $60. An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. 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. Price Received. This works for command control layouts too, since those parked trains are still drawing some current. 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. Don't just discard your starter set pack, though. One rail is positive, the other negative. 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. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. I paid $75 + shipping for mine a year ago. This conserves the trains' power supply for their needs and makes troubleshooting much easier. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. A while back, approximately 2 weeks ago while running two very lengthy loops of fast track an old transformer nearly fried (50 years old) one of my wires that I was running to my Fastrac.

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