The customer will still need a step down transformer to get the 220V to 110V. 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. Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in. Digital command control systems (DCC) uses digital information to control the electrical power to the train. Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. Model train transformer- 6 steps to understanding how they work Right now I am running 8 motors on one KW [the new one I found] and got the old one for reserve. Forgot about light bulbs since I don't got some yet. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell these cars apart, and the key is the numbers Lionel assigns to them. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. OTTS Founder Lots of good information for building any size O Gauge layout. Lionel, LLC continued to manufacture and market trains and accessories in O scale under the Lionel brand and S gauge under the American Flyer brand. Been there, done that. Great for learning all you will ever want to know about Lionels track system. Alternating current (AC) is the preferred power for most O Gauge three-rail trains as well as some two-rail systems in smaller scales. 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. Never had a problem. Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. Now, I am going to make a suggesstion that you use a larger diameter curve for your corners. 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. (Electrical Contractor with dear old Dad for 30 years) Regards Steve. The Lionel motor is a collection of four electromagnetic plates with a rotating sweeper arm called a brush. 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. Sell Your Trains Yourself At Train Shows. 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. In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. What gauge wire is used for Lionel trains? - Sage-Advices Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. Effort. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. Is there anyway of saying how much track it will power? Add a PW dual motor F3 (4 amps) with 5 lighted cars (another 10 bulbs - 1 amp) and you are cooking (9 amps). The polarities can be reversed to change the direction of the train. Do not connect this product to any other power supply. There have been issues with chopped waveform transformers, i.e. $2799. American Flyer Trains were made in several gauges. 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. My question is.how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? By only supplying power to the trains that need it, you can greatly reduce your needs. Lionels HO Gauge items are back! The Lionel ZW has four sets of posts and six controls. They do not include a track or power supply, so you will need to buy both separately. I bet they would be great for running lights and unloading the main transformer. HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! Classification/marker lights on the PRR steam engine, For Sale: Lionel 6-11127 Legacy Southern Pacific GS-4 Daylight, Lionel Bethlehem Steel slag car and ATLAS NYC Baggage car, Lionel O 2333790 TrainWorld & RBP Trains Chris Raines -Exclusive - Katy LEGACY ES44AC #2021, Converting MTH Rail king GS-4 PROTO 2 to ERR Cruise Commander, The Harpers Ferry Layout II - Backdrop panels completed. Choosing the Right Transformer for Your Model Trains - The Spruce Crafts 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. The first Lionel electric trains were powered by wet-cell batteries, which were, of course, dangerous. View More! Turn on the throttle, then short the A and U posts (in the case of Lionel) or variable and base posts (in the case of Flyer) with a screwdriver or a piece of wire for a maximum of five seconds. 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. 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. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show. properly wired transformer can handle any amount of track. 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. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Classic Toy Trains magazine offers information about toy trains operating and collecting, toy train product news and reviews, toy train layout tips, toy train layout designs and track plans, and more. . Scale cars almost always have the number 7 as the second digit in their number [17623, 27241, etc]. Not unlike the relationship between the locomotive engineer and the fireman. 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. I have had the same problem. If you need a device that converts from different voltages so it can power another device, then a transformer will fulfill that role perfectly. 5 years of Classic Toy Trains at your fingertips! Ill try to find a link to it for you. They give a great deal of power in a single handled transformer, and if you run trains along with another person, it can be more convenient for you to both have a smaller transformer than for two people to huddle around a larger KW or ZW transformer and share its handles. Not really a how-to-build-a-layout book, but it is a good general introduction to the hobby full of interesting stuff. Ive written more about the Lionel ZW here. $7.89 delivery Feb 2 - 6. But if you already have a 1034 and dont need a whistle button, go ahead and use it. Everything you need to get going is included, its reliable, and setup is usually very easy. For more realistic operation, you need some kind of speed control (throttle) between the 10340 Automatic Reversing Unit and your transformer. 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. If your going to run anything more that what came with the set then you should probably upgrade to something a little bigger. Improve ready-to-run freight cars with a little paint. These bus wires are often more important than the size of the power supply itself in getting good results. Trainz carries a variety of books that build upon the information listed above. 7 Best Transformer For Model Railway - LEDS.CC In three-rail systems, the outer rails are both grounded, and the center rail is "hot.". How to Properly Size a Transformer | Behler-Young Beginners Ask Trains New trains; old transformers. You should take care, however, to replace worn cords and wires. is always one of the first questions asked when someone starts to build a model railroad. Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). 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. Antique Train Sets - FAQs for Lionel Collectors Club of America We use a ZW 275 and a KW on this, so 405 watts. Transformer for Lionel that works in AUSTRALIA I didnt mention the 1034 above because its easier to find a 1033. Dave, you're so eloquent and inspiring - my undergraduate degree was in American Studies, now I'm in charge of among other things all our college's technology - also self-taught.. Hello All: Re: Dave Farquhar, Dave you left out sense of humor Regards Steve. What size Lionel transformer do I need? Lionel Electric Toy Train Transformer Identification Guide If you have the proper wire size and a properly-sized circuit breaker, you should not have any problems using the old transformer. Accessories often interact with the train, such as a crossing gate that lowers as the train passes. Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers' Henry V. I am a person with a very active inner child. Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following, $12.00 per 12 Months (plus tax if applicable). A bigger transformer is better and always looks nicer too! There are many advantages in repairing or reconditioning your transformers. If this happens, you will need another transformer to share the load. As your needs grow, you can employ a larger transformer of fixed voltage. The farther from the transformer the more resistance in the rails and your engine will slow down. 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. Here are some guidelines for the most common wiring jobs you'll find. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80. A locomotive on a mile-long loop will draw as many amps as it does on a 4x8 platform. The Lionel ZW is Lionel's most iconic transformer of the 1950s and 1960s, and perhaps one of its most iconic products, period. what size lionel transformer do i need. I know my train club had an issue with conventional locomotives not running properly on a layout with DCS and TMCC and apparently solved it by replacing a Lionel transformer with an MRC transformer that puts out a pure sine wave. Understanding the difference is important in getting the right power supply for your needs. 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. If you are using only LEDs for lighting, you could get away with even less. The larger wire is usually more expensive and more challenging to work with. Frankly, its hard to go wrong with either of these transformers, especially at todays prices. 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. Faq No: 1029 Because of this, like with lighting and accessories, your power supply and wiring for switch machines do not need to be as robust. 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)! What lionel transformer do i need - Go Quick Qna 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. The CW-80 Transformer was meant to operate on 120-volt, 60-Hertz power. God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of theNRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified. Please see our article on Fastrack here for more information. 6 Best Transformer For Ho Trains - LEDS.CC 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). All Lionel transformer comparisons should start here. The car on the left is scale, and the one on the right is the classic, underscale size. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. Dang, this math makes my head hurt. Stop it with your hand to full stall, and it goes up to four amps--sixty watts--trying to pull. The higher powered units would not meet todays safety standards as issued by Underwriters Laboratories. Lionel 1033 Transformer Renovation Part I - YouTube 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. If you like fixing things, fixing an old transformer is rewarding. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a .