Within that range, it is generally recommended to go for the most robust power supply possible. It also has an optional bell sound that can be turned on and off. HO trains are very durable and are made with high quality parts and pieces to ensure the longevity of the Lionel train brand! 12V DC to 120V AC 60Hz pure sine inverter. A Passenger consist can easily use more power than the engine. 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. Its a good transformer. --I wish I had some more cars to put behind the engine. Likewise, if you only want to run one train at a time, you can keep other trains on the track by wiring with blocks, and turning off trains that are not in use. 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. 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. Good choices are the Lionel 32923 Accessory Transformer, or another 80-watt transformer like the one included in your set, #14198. If you fried a wire going to the track it may not be a transformer problem. In this case Id go with a postwar TW 175 watt transformer. Dave: That certainly qualifies, don't forget the anti-gun lobbyist with the picket sign's. 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. This tool will allow you calculate the KVA that you need. What size Lionel transformer do I need? - Tracks-movie.com Ran 6 motors [MPC's]. And of course, Lionel also makes lots of figures to populate your town. 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'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. The insulation on the outside of the wire also varies greatly. To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage. 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. My question is.how big of a transformer will I need to power this thing? To amplify CTvalley's very valid instructions: A forum community dedicated to model train owners and enthusiasts. 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. Most feeders will be only a few inches long so the smaller diameter wire will not be a problem. This would be more than enough for any single train and a few accessories. A lot of people are using the MTH Z1000's who have smaller layouts while others have moved up to the MTH Z4000. Yes, but the train will probably run too fast, depending on the output voltage of the transformer. Transformers are designed to fail if a short in the secondary or control side occurs. Forgot about light bulbs since I don't got some yet. 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. I recently acquired a beautiful Lionel NH Alco 420. Amperes = VA/Secondary Volts or 40VA/28V = 1.43 amperes. Here at Trainz, we carry all of the products you will need to go from a starter set to a miniature railroad empire. Does Lionel still make standard gauge trains? Model Train Scales & Gauges: The Lionel Trains Guide Lionel has a new 180 watt transformer due out soon that will be a nice upgrade. Price Received. The house's current is reduced to the required low voltage by Trainmaster Transformers. 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. This comes primarily from the locomotive(s) but also from lights and other accessories. I cant see you needing more than a capacity of 5 amps. Solid wire is preferable as it is much easier to solder to the rails. There have been issues with chopped waveform transformers, i.e. For a 300W set up this will cost you about 100. Model Train Track & Transformer at Lionel Trains Like all electronic products, you want to make sure your power supplies are rated by the appropriate body for your country (UL for example). Transformer Size Calculator - Electram Make your Christmas complete with a Lionel HO Train under your. 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. This tool only evaluates common voltages for North America (ie. Calculating transformer size for layout size - Classic Toy - Trains Because the runs are short and power demands so low, this fine wire poses no safety threat. 6 Best Transformer For Ho Trains - LEDS.CC VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. All about the Lionel ZW - The Silicon Underground Do not connect this product to any other power supply. 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. I went to mth Z1000, jason's train shop has the best price's I have seen for these. 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. Choosing the Right Transformer for Your Model Trains - The Spruce Crafts Lionel developed and perfected its model designs and layouts during the Pre-War Era (1901-1942). Some DCC systems also recommend solid wire for certain applications. The greatest transformer Lionel made in the postwar era was the 270 watt Lionel ZW. The first Lionel electric trains were powered by wet-cell batteries, which were, of course, dangerous. Sell Your Trains Yourself On eBay. It states: 1.25 amps for each motor, 0.2 amps for each bulb. They are fun to have. Digital command control systems (DCC) uses digital information to control the electrical power to the train. ransformers were issued by Lionel thoughout the Post War period. 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. 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. Accessories often interact with the train, such as a crossing gate that lowers as the train passes. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. Most two-rail track systems use direct current (DC). 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. Also, you must have a built-in circuit breaker to prevent a short circuit from causing permanent damage to the power supply or the trains. You could have a poor connection that caused the wire to heat up. The Lionel 1033 is a great choice for small or medium-sized layouts. The accessory activation track (#12029) is used to activate Lionel trackside accessories. Handbook of layout wiring | Classic Toy Trains Magazine Lionel Postwar 1033 Transformer Watch on Sign-up for email today! My current layout uses about 28 sections of track (Lionel o-27). However, there are times when the solid wire has advantages, particularly when soldering in small locations. The whistle requires more power than the outfits that don't have it. David, looking at your layout I notice there is a two rail and a three rail ? If the transformer fails, you most likely have a short or overload somewhere in the control circuit. 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. Note that when working with specific products, manufacturers will often recommend a wire size and type. You can use bus and feeder wires to more evenly distribute the power over your track. The choice of a control system is somewhat, but not necessarily, dependent on which manufacturers engines you prefer or have the most of. 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. 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. 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). 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. Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. I am assuming that your starter set came with either o27, brown ties, or 031, black ties, track and it runs well as is. It was one of Lionel's more venerable postwar products, lasting on the market for 18 years from 1948 to 1966. Faq No: 1029 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. 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 Find 500+ popular train rides, museums, and railroad vacation destinations in the U.S and Canada! Price Received. American Flyer Trains Basic Operating Information This means that you will have about.5 volt drop if your train draws 5 amperes. For a classic setup of a single freight train running on a 48 sheet of plywood, a 90 watt Lionel 1033 or 1042 is an excellent choice. Big Ed Railroad Tycoon How to Properly Size a Transformer | Behler-Young Safety first. The 1044 is just a 1033 in a different case. When they were manufactured by The American Flyer Manufacturing Company, they were made in Standard Gauge and a version of "O" gauge.