He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. Are you running command or conventional? Here at Trainz, we carry all of the products you will need to go from a starter set to a miniature railroad empire. An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! Also, I found an old guide printed by lionel on power requirements. 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. If you have to ask,your needs are a lot more modest than that. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! Of course, if you happen to have enough Number12 wire left over from a home renovation project to install all the buses on your small layout, it won't do any harm. Lionel Rolling Stock Identification Guide. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. If you add a lot of track and find that your train slows down as it gets farther from your transformer, you will need to run jumper wires to the opposite side of your track layout. This wire is very fine and can be found in many color combinations. HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! To participate you must either login or register for an account. A rule of thumb from the elders, (I had to go to the mountain top for this one), Add 2 more watts for Spankybird's fun-filled layout! I've read that it is good practice to add feeders every 10 sections of track or sothat seems like a lot but I suppose that beats having "dead" spots in the track. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. 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. Thanks! I talk more in depth about the 1033 here. I think the RW is a bit better value, but that could just be timing. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. properly wired transformer can handle any amount of track. A solid and stranded wire of the same gauge will be the same total diameter. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. Adding lights to buildings, streets, and other scenic accessories usually do not require anywhere near the amperage demand of the trains themselves. 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. 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. This is a old school approach for sizing cables & transformers or appliances in the electrical trade, & has never let us down. All power supplies will be rated for volts, amps, and watts. Lionel Trains|MTH Train|Lionel Train Sets| HO model Trains| G Scale|Dept 56 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. Not really a how-to-build-a-layout book, but it is a good general introduction to the hobby full of interesting stuff. 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. Most recommend the TPCs over the powermasters The CW 80 will work to begin with. This type of transformer is cheap, its reliable, and its easy to find. When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. The modern equivalent is the Lionel CW-80, but frankly I like the old ones better. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. As your layout grows so, too, will its power demand. Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 1901-2022. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. The larger transformers could operate up to four trains independently. Lionel Trains: Value, History and What Collectors Should Know 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. With the ever-increasing amount of small electronics in today's sophisticated models, this protection is more important than ever. 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. 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. For a transformer less or equal to 500 kilovolt-amperes, a typical %Z impedance may vary between 2.3% and 5.2% based on the voltage level. Right now I am running 8 motors on one KW [the new one I found] and got the old one for reserve. As you can see, a lot of great helpers here. Power Conversion for Lionel Trains and O-Gauge - KCC Scientific If you're looking to only have one loop with multiple sidings then you'll only need 1 source of power for the whole layout. The wire can also be purchased as solid or stranded. 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. 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. I paid $75 + shipping for mine a year ago. Serving these devices with their own dedicated supply will not only allow you to supply them with a proper constant voltage, but it will also free your main power supply to handle the load of the train itself. Checklist Transformer Size Calculator When sizing a transformer, you need to know the kilovolt-amps (KVA) that your machine requires. Extending the Reach of Your Power The only time you might not get your full moneys worth is during operation of locomotives equipped with Lionels TMCC or MTHs DCS command-control systems. Reverse the above if planning to run mostly Lionel and go with the Lionel command system, either the full Legacy system or the upcoming CAB-1L and just add a Track Power Controller and a cable to run most MTH engines in conventional with the Lionel systems. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. The good news is, Lionel made a lot of good transformers over the years. 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. Calculating transformer size for layout size - Classic Toy - Trains It can run four tracks at one time, so you layout can grow. 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). 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. To participate you must either login or register for an account. 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. I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. 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. www.spankybird.shutterfly.com, God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. Faq No: 1029 And if the power supply does fail, it is best not to repair it on your own. Lionel introduced a few LionChief Plus 2.0 starter sets in 2022. Lionels HO Gauge items are back! what size lionel transformer do i need - senatlaevproducts.com Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. 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. This diagram shows all of the controls and the pinout for the Lionel RW transformer. Effort. Transformer sizing for new systems Twin coil machines have a higher current draw when in motion but are also much faster-acting than the motorized versions. With two switches, you can create an alternative route for your trains. the amount of track is not what is important here. Ive talked more about the Lionel RW and the LW as well. These transformers are much cheaper than they were even just a few years ago, but that just makes them a bigger bargain today. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! 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. The Lionel ZW is Lionel's most iconic transformer of the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps one of its most iconic products, period. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. Subscribers, sign in to access exclusive content. Accessories often interact with the train, such as a crossing gate that lowers as the train passes. Sell Your Trains To A Train Dealer or a Single Buyer. 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. 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. There is the 12030 Figure-8 set, which along with the track included in your set makes your layout into this: Figure-8s are great because they create a crossing, giving the appearance of a railroad junction, they break up the oval, and the parts to create them are relatively cheap. Transformers are designed to fail if a short in the secondary or control side occurs. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. Its a bargain at that price. The transition section (#12040) allows you to connect conventional O Gauge track to FasTrack. There are also numerous static accessories that do not operate but add visual interest to your layout, such as the #24219 girder bridge. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. 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. Great for learning all you will ever want to know about Lionels track system. Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts - The Spruce Crafts A locomotive on a mile-long loop will draw as many amps as it does on a 4x8 platform. 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. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. But Lionel now produces four Track Expansion Sets, which expand this basic loop into something more exciting. To build on the point you are running MTH trains and therefore will probably go DCS eventually: I would break the track into blocks of about 5 feet in length. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. 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). If you like fixing things, fixing an old transformer is rewarding. This is where the Lionel transformer comparisons should begin. Remember, the only silly question is the one that you did not ask. 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. The other type of cars are the Scale cars, which are exact or near-exact replicas of actual freight cars. This thing has more power then I will ever need. Price Received. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon Most people start with a pre-packaged train set. 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. DCS Power Supplies | MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. It was a symbiotic relationship, the engineer designed it and the tech built it, then they both troubleshot it. Many manufacturers assemble cases with special screws to prevent access to the inside and accidental shock. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? 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. Number 26 to 20 wire (depending on the length of your bus) will be sufficient for most applications. Although I am an electrical engineer, I just add stuff until the transformer gets too warm and then I branch off and add another. The motor takes electricity through a small wire attached to a metal wheel that rests on the middle rail underneath. What size Lionel transformer do I need? Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. Keeping in mind that I will likely continue to add to the layout as my addiction develops! It is best to use at least two different colors for your track wiring (one for each rail). Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. 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. How to Properly Size a Transformer | Behler-Young I have noticed that my old transformers do not work well or not work at all with newer electronic whistle tenders. For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. Because the runs are short and power demands so low, this fine wire poses no safety threat. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. In some cases. 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. Ill try to find a link to it for you. Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. 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. These systems still require a power supply but it only needs to supply a constant voltage to the rails. THE BASICS "O", "S", "HO". Now, I diconnected that old dinosaur and connected two separate smaller ones which weren't powerful enough to run my Amtrack MTH trains. Its expensive, but the same factors that drove KW prices down are also driving ZW prices down. This works for command control layouts too, since those parked trains are still drawing some current. 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. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions! 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. 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. $2799. Electric Trains make great power supplies, depending on usage, on a DCS controlled layout. If you fried a wire going to the track it may not be a transformer problem. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. The next evolution in model train control is radio- or bluetooth-controlled trains. The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. Number 22 solid wire works best on most scales. And that means theyre affordable. 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)! A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW. The same is true for other electronic projects around your layout and inside buildings, train cars, and even locomotives. 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. It is important to remember that the real test of the power supply is the load you'll place on it. Thus an appliance with a 15-ampere plug (the usual kind with parallel blades) must draw no more than 12 amperes. A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! OTTS Founder 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. electronically controlled outputs. And even when Lionel trains run on AC, they sometimes do some DC trickery. 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. Over the years I have collected boxed(mostly liquor boxes) sets from attics.So I have a variety of transformers on hand. The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. Take the hint. 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. 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. Tales From Harmon Shops, WTB: LIONEL AUTRORACKS SPECIFICALLY SOUTHERN,GRAND TRUNK,BNSF,FERROMEX. Not wanting to give up, I experimented with an 80 watt modern Lionel transformer and got great results. 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (15) Ages: 14 years and up. You can use bus and feeder wires to more evenly distribute the power over your track. The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. It has FasTrack connectors on one end and O Gauge track pins on the other. Lionel Electric Toy Train Transformer Identification Guide We feature Lionel, American Flyer, MTH, Atlas O, Williams Trains, K-Line, Weaver Models, and more. --I need a station for the train to stop at. For a passenger train with lighted cars, getting a little more power isnt a bad idea. If you want a transformer with power to spare go get a ZW! If youre comfortable doing some work yourself, you can buy a fixer-upper, and my informational links will tell you more about fixing one yourself. Traditionally, Lionel trains run on AC but there are exceptions. My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). Although all Lionel cars operate on O Gauge track, the bodies of the cars are made in two slightly different sizes. Mark. The smaller the number, the larger the wire. By continuing to use this site, you indicate you accept these terms. Fortunately, in the early 21st century it is easier to expand your starter set than ever before. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. The Lionel Track & Power catalog is BACK with the latest information for more ways to make your layout even bigger, better and more powerful! Price Received. What is the best transformer to use? - O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, Calculating transformer size for layout size. White and black are common selections. The car on the left is scale, and the one on the right is the classic, underscale size. In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. LGB throttles 51070, 52120 and 52121 will all work with the 50061 and other LGB transformers. Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. Lionel Multi-Car Freight Sets + More MTH Halloween! Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. 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. If youre buying a transformer, youll be able to easily find one that a professional refurbished and upgraded with the links I provide below.
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