The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. If you plan to add a second loop for another train in the near future, the 14198 would be a wise investment. Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. They run on three rail track. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. If youre looking for Lionel transformer comparisons, youve come to the right place. As your layout grows so, too, will its power demand. From 25 Watts to 275 Watts, a Lionel transformer could be found for every power requirment from simple circles of track to extensive railroads. The Atlas and Bachmann 80 watt transformers, they are one and the same, can be had for around $75.00. Any of the below transformers from M.T.H. Theres nothing inherently wrong with them, though I would shy away from the smaller transformers that are less than 75 watts, including the modern CW-40. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. Transformer Size Calculator - Electram Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. Transformers are sized by determining the total load required (in amps). Should it be a Lionel or should it be an MTH with command control? Trainz carries a variety of books that build upon the information listed above. ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. Amperes = VA/Secondary Volts or 40VA/28V = 1.43 amperes. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. 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 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. Lionel Model Railroad and Train Transformers for sale | eBay Sign up for new product releases, promotions, and more. 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. Serious or fatal injuries may result. It can run four tracks at one time, so you layout can grow. Because of this, like with lighting and accessories, your power supply and wiring for switch machines do not need to be as robust. A small set that came with track, transformer, etc. Pretty much suffered the same fate, too. 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. However, in the future if you continue in the hobby and your roster expands you may acquire motive power which requires larger curves than what came with your set. Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month, Calculating transformer size for layout size. An Essential Guide for Toy Train Enthusiasts! Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. There are a few standards when it comes to the color-coding. 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?. --I need a station for the train to stop at. 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. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. This is interesting stuff. 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. 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. 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. 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. Apparently there is a difference between old conventional and new conventional power. Past,presentand future. Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership. In some cases. 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. This has the added advantage that Lionel TMCC (command control) will operate correctly. I'm sure I'll need more help along the way, so I'll be checking back in with more silly questions! The modern equivalent is the Lionel CW-80, but frankly I like the old ones better. 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. 40-500 50 Watt AC Transformer - 50 Watt AC transformer suitable for . 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. Multi-conductor wires with many strands of finer wire are more common for telecommunications and electronics. This would be more than enough for any single train and a few accessories. Make sure you are getting the right type of power supply for your layout. Never Enough Room, Time or Money for all the Trains! The fraction of your transformer's power lost in the track will therefore be well under 10 percent, since it is proportional to the voltage drop. The higher powered units would not meet todays safety standards as issued by Underwriters Laboratories. That might work, but it's probably borderline, especially if you are using something like a 1033 transformer that tops out at 16 volts. is always one of the first questions asked when someone starts to build a model railroad. Good choices are the Lionel 32923 Accessory Transformer, or another 80-watt transformer like the one included in your set, #14198. This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. 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). Amazon.com: Lionel O Gauge Transformer Unlimited Members, sign in to enjoy sitewide access. RemembertheVeterans. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. And both of them give more wattage per handle than a KW or ZW. The smaller the number, the larger the wire. The smallest wire you can work with will be more than sufficient. In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. Buyers truly want all-original trains that have never been tampered with. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. 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. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. The iconic and legendary 270-wattLionel ZW was the biggest and best transformer Lionel made in the postwar era. If you like, tell us more about yourself. OTTS Founder It has FasTrack connectors on one end and O Gauge track pins on the other. Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' Henry V. I am a person with a very active inner child. The Lionel ZW is Lionel's most iconic transformer of the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps one of its most iconic products, period. In most cases, stranded wire is preferred because the multiple threads provide more conductivity and flexibility. If you want a station for your trains to stop at, there are both station platforms [#24159] as well as full sized stations [#14257]. Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. 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. Adding more freight or passenger cars [also known as rolling stock] to your set is another way to quickly expand your 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 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. Lionel makes two expansion sets for this purpose. 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. You have pretty much pointed up the major problem, everything is different. :-). Plan on using the KW's for the big layout and 1033's like I did before. You could have a poor connection that caused the wire to heat up. The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. The Lionel 1033 can be used for small or medium-sized layouts. You must be signed in to continue. These can all have uses for your layout. Please see our article on Fastrack here for more information. For many first-time train buyers, once the initial excitement of setting up the train and watching it run has passed, the desire to make it do more usually begins. My question is.how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. You can't count on a lack of compatibility issues for one Legacy locomotive being definitive for all Legacy locomotives, for example. 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.