$7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. 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. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, WELCOME TO THE FORUM Mike!! "What size wire should I use?" You must be signed in to continue. As your layout grows beyond the basic oval of track that comes with most starter sets, a good power distribution network is essential to getting consistent performance from your train all the way around. Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts - The Spruce Crafts ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Here are some simple definitions for these electrical terms: Most power supplies will be labeled as to the scales they are meant to handle. The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. LGB FAQs : Power The other type of cars are the Scale cars, which are exact or near-exact replicas of actual freight cars. A locomotive on a mile-long loop will draw as many amps as it does on a 4x8 platform. is always one of the first questions asked when someone starts to build a model railroad. Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers Best Selling Lionel 1908080 O Gauge CW80 Transformers - Black (4) $147.85 New $110.00 Used Lionel Legacy Powermaster Lnl637146 (13) $134.99 New $90.00 Used Lionel 634120 TMCC Direct Lock-On Transformer - Silver (21) $58.99 New $49.99 Used Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. I have one R transformer from which I run everything - but only 1 train at a time and a few accessories for a layout in a space about 24 by 10 ft. You can also minimize voltage drop at the rail joints by soldering the rails together. QUOTE: by Skyray "Typical engineer--you need a technician. If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. We use a ZW 275 and a KW on this, so 405 watts. I have had the same problem. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. What is the best transformer to use? - O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. (using 4 of the 180 watt Lionel bricks) That's 10 amps per channel on all 4 channels. The preferred choice for wiring control panels is telephone or telecommunications wire. * NOTE: We do not recommend loading a transformer above 80% of its KVA rating. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. Are you looking for a product or serviceif so, then read this BEFORE you post! 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? Here are a couple examples: As you can see, with a bit of experimentation and imagination, numerous different track layouts can be created. Over the years I have collected boxed(mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. 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. 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. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Lionel trains value varies depending on design, materials, and era. If you found this post informative or helpful, please share it! Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! For safety reasons, the batteries were soon replaced by a 110 volt transformer. Lionel Electric Toy Train Transformer Identification Guide Used 1033's for sidings and the switching yard its self. 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)! Ive talked more about the KW here. Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". 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 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. I justhave a very basic 027 set (guessin' mid 80's?). How Many Lights Can I Connect To My Transformer? - LightUp 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. 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. Price Received. Expanding Your Lionel Starter Set - Trainz 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. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. I am currently running about 40 bulbs, which at 0.1 A each total 4 amps! Price Received. This wire is very fine and can be found in many color combinations. They are fun to have. The 190-wattLionel KWwas the second biggest and second best transformer of the postwar era. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. (8 lights X 20 watts = 160 watts). Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. Its a good transformer. Solid wire is preferable as it is much easier to solder to the rails. How do you choose the right power supply for your model trains? 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. Transformer sizing for new systems I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive. I have since wired the new transformer to my layout along with the old ZW. Classic cars have a 5 or 6 as their second digit [25051, 16686, etc]. Been there, done that. This has the added advantage that Lionel TMCC (command control) will operate correctly. As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. Lionel Trains: Value, History and What Collectors Should Know Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. But were talking the trains that are in the absolute best condition and might not have ever run on the track. A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life.". Amperes = VA/Secondary Volts or 40VA/28V = 1.43 amperes. White and black are common selections. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. Use this index to see additional details about the individual transformers issued by Lionel during the post-war period. The Best Technical and Innovative Podcasts you should Listen, Essay Writing Service: The Best Solution for Busy Students, 6 The Best Alternatives for WhatsApp for Android, The Best Solar Street Light Manufacturers Across the World, Ultimate packing list while travelling with your dog. Why Sign In? Price Received. Lots of good tips for building a layout from two of the most experienced people in the hobby. 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. 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. I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. Ill try to find a link to it for you. We feature Lionel, American Flyer, MTH, Atlas O, Williams Trains, K-Line, Weaver Models, and more. To my knowledge, you should have no compatibility issues with a pure sine wave track feed with any major brand locomotive. Lionel Vintage Model Railroad & Train Transformers - eBay That could also be the reason the other transformers don't work. 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. 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. View More! 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. I'm not sure I completely understand your question. what size lionel transformer do i need. What size Lionel transformer do I need? 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. This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. Which Lionel transformer do I need? you ask? 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. Don't just discard your starter set pack, though. Good choices are the Lionel 32923 Accessory Transformer, or another 80-watt transformer like the one included in your set, #14198. 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. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. how much track can a transformer handle? | Model Train Forum Trainz carries a variety of books that build upon the information listed above. 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. These transformers are much cheaper than they were even just a few years ago, but that just makes them a bigger bargain today. Many load and unload freight from specially designed cars as well. Just not quite as much. Many manufacturers assemble cases with special screws to prevent access to the inside and accidental shock. 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. Our community is FREE to join. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. To participate you must either login or register for an account. The Atlas and Bachmann 80 watt transformers, they are one and the same, can be had for around $75.00. And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. The 110-wattLionel RW is a cheap option, and the 125-watt LW, while a bit more expensive, gives a bit more power. 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 whistle requires more power than the outfits that don't have it. I have a post war ZW and a KW and a Z, all three are good transformers, just meant for differant needs. The power supply that comes with these sets is usually a very small wall pack plug-in that cannot be easily expanded. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. A large number of the Lionel Collectors Club UK use this set up to good effect. It also has an optional bell sound that can be turned on and off. Model Train Track & Transformer at Lionel Trains Lionels HO Gauge items are back! Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). (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. Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. What do I need to do that with? And again regardless of scale or manufacturer, switch machines of these two types will have similar needs and performance. Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. That was before all the technician assemby work was outsourced overseas and they left the poor engineers to fend for themselves. 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. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. 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. But it is important to take a close look at the cars to make sure that they are a good match for your set. Today, with some luck, you can get one for closer to $100. I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. It can run four tracks at one time, so you layout can grow. For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. Both are lighted. OTTS Founder Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. Lionel and other train manufacturers have worked hard to make adding to a set easy, affordable, and fun. It states: 1.25 amps for each motor, 0.2 amps for each bulb. 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. This thing has more power then I will ever need. Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. Today Lionel includes the same basic track oval in all starter sets8 36-inch diameter curve sections, 3 10 straight track sections, and 1 10 straight terminal section, which create this layout: Until recently, to add to this layout, you would need to buy separate straight, curved, and other track sections and wing it in creating a larger setup. This is where the Lionel transformer comparisons should begin. 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. Price Received. 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. The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. 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. Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). 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. To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. Heavier insulation not only adds to the cost of the wire but also makes it harder to bend. With multiple switches, lights, power supplies and more all concentrated in a small space, color coding and neatness pay off. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. 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. My layout I am building is 5 sheets of 4x8 plywood and it will probaly take me 100 years to build it (I hope I have that much time left). 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. 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. Below weve listed these transformers in numerical order in the Numerical Index. Transformer Calculator KVA Calculator Full Load Amps Calculator Ive talked more about the Lionel RW and the LW as well. Ive talked about why here. What lionel transformer do i need - Go Quick Qna The Lionel Multi-control 1033 is a 90 watt transformer produced from 1948 to 1956. The modern equivalent is the Lionel CW-80, but frankly I like the old ones better. 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. properly wired transformer can handle any amount of track. 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. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops!