Basic Wiring advice

Steve, all good questions to ask.  Please see my answers below within the quote box:

@stevenemeigh posted:

Good Morning all!

I am just now getting back into my trains after dusting of the boxes.

I am building an 4x12 table with a layout plan I found in the book I bought off this website. Could you please provide more details and or a picture (if not copyrighted) of the layout ?

The big hitch for me is the electrical aspect, I am not an electrician. I know the basics of how a transformer can power a one loop layout but now that I am building something thatll probably need more than my CW 80 for 2 trains I dont know how to wire stuff. Should I try to separate the lines electrically or should I merge them, how ? for both. This depends on the layout (how many independent loops and sidings) and the type of train control you want to use.  Ie. Conventional (transformer throttle only), LionChief, TMCC/Legacy, DCS, etc.

I have a CW 80,  1033 and a type R 100. I know the CW and the 1033 operate but idk about the type r. Do I need to buy a ZW (I dont want to but can if need be)  If your existing transformers are in good working order (may need professional servicing, especially the older 1033 and R), you can use them together, with some caveats.  Phasing the transformers is highly recommended.  Here is a great article on phasing and connecting multiple transformers: Phasing a Lionel PWC ZW Controller and 2 PW transformers!

So the TLDR.

1: In search of Tips for basic wirings of a 4x10 Layout,   We can talk about this more after you provide the information requested above.

2: How to wire a layout with more than 1 transformer.  Same

3: How to Operate a layout with multiple transformers and no accessories.  Same

4: Do I need a ZW (Doubt because layout isnt massive) No you don't need one, but could add one now or later if desired.

  Happy Holidays and Happy Railroading. Hoping to be able to share videos of me running my new stuff from the Greenberg show in Chantilly VA this weekend.

Try Kalmbach Books

https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/10-8405

All good advice.

Your CW-80 may be able to supply enough power to run two trains on your layout and I would probably start there.

Buy a 12 port MTH terminal block (there may be some 8-10 port ones that are cheaper on the usual internet sites) like the one shown below. You want the ones that have a single red/black or +/- connection point and 8-12 output ports.

Connect the power output terminals of the CW-80 to the red/black or +/- screws on the terminal block. Then run and connect four (4) sets of +/- wires from each output port on the terminal block to a section of your track, about evenly spaced. If you have one loop, then connect port 1 about in the middle of the front straight; port 2 to about the middle of the back straight; and ports 3 and 4 to each corner. If you have two loops, then repeat on the second loop with ports 5-8 to power that loop.

That should probably be enough to provide power to all of your layout but, for instance, if you have a siding, you can power that track with another/different port. The exact configuration will depend on your layout and it is common that you may have unused ports - that's ok.

If you are running conventionally, then the engines would all be controlled from the CW-80 throttle. If you are running command (Lionchief/TMCC/Legacy/DCS), then the CW-80 will supply power to all of the tracks at 18 volts and you would control the engines with their respective remotes, BT, etc.

@Steve24944 There's an issue with the link you provided to Kalbach Hobby.  What is the title of the book you're recommending?

@Richie C. Good advice, but you can't post here, it's only for Steve's... just kidding. Thanks for adding to the collective.

@SteveH I would post the picture but it is from the Layouts book on this website that is a pay to access and out of fear of retaliation from OGR I am not going to. if you have the book it’s the Nickle Plate Road layout. The basics is the one outer loop with a figure 8 in the middle and a crossover up top, nothing too confusing.

im glad to hear that the solution is much more basic than I imagined and that I don’t have to throw money down the drain to buy a ZW. i am hopefully gonna get LCS and DCS in the future but that’s a richer me problem lol. Love that little CW80

@stevenemeigh Since there are copyright issues involved, if you'd like, email me and we can exchange details about your layout plans easier.  My email is on my OGR Profile page.

Yes, a Lionel CW80 transformer would be adequate for a modest, start-up layout, but sooner or later you may want to expand the layout and acquire more (and more power-thirsty) locomotives. Then you'd need a larger-capacity transformer - i.e., a Lionel 135-watt or 180-watt "brick." Maybe multiple "bricks" depending on your aspirations, need for "blocks," placement of isolated sidings, power for trackside or action accessories, etc.

Carry on, regardless ...

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394

@SteveH posted:

@Steve24944 There's an issue with the link you provided to Kalbach Hobby.  What is the title of the book you're recommending?

The Book is "Wiring your Toy Train Layout"  second edition

@Steve24944 posted:

The Book is "Wiring your Toy Train Layout"  second edition

Thank you.  The link seems to be working now too.

FYI...The hardcopy version of this book is cheaper buying on Amazon ($18) and even cheaper if you use a Capital One credit card ($17).  The problem with many Kalmbach "downloaded" books is that they are not real PDF downloads. They only open in the Zinio app. (I don't think they reside on your computer.) From Zinio, you are permitted to download only one page at a time into the PDF format.   

I can help you with the electrical

Rule #1

Don't let the smoke out😁

Rule #2

Home run your feeders

@stevenemeigh posted:

im glad to hear that the solution is much more basic than I imagined and that I don’t have to "throw money down the drain to buy a ZW."

I'm surprised no one has jumped on that comment yet. 😁

Mark in Oregon 🎄

@Strummer posted:

I'm surprised no one has jumped on that comment yet. 😁

Mark in Oregon 🎄

I only wish that any electrical device or appliance I've ever owned could have been as reliable as my 69-year-old ZW still in active use today.  (I recently had a Samsung washing machine that only lasted 2 years!)

@Bruce Brown posted:

I only wish that any electrical device or appliance I've ever owned could have been as reliable as my 69-year-old ZW still in active use today.  (I recently had a Samsung washing machine that only lasted 2 years!)

Bruce,

A ZW has very few moving parts.  It's a nice, simple design.

A wash machine has many more moving parts, especially in the transmission.  In spite of 80 years or so of "improvements" they still wear out too quickly.

Two years is a little ridiculous though.  What part was it that quit?

Mike

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Two years is a little ridiculous though.  What part was it that quit?

Mike,

It rusted throughout. Samsung refused to honor the warranty as did Sears who I bought it from (with an extended warranty). Both Sears and Samsung claimed their warranties did not cover rust!

@Bruce Brown posted:

Mike,

It rusted throughout. Samsung refused to honor the warranty as did Sears who I bought it from (with an extended warranty). Both Sears and Samsung claimed their warranties did not cover rust!

Todays appliances are built buy the lowest bidder with the cheapest materials…

cheap ain’t quality

and

quality ain’t cheap

and we have only ourselves to blame

because we keep buying

I like wago connectors. They are easy to use come in all guage sizes and can bd reused