I've recently bought a Z for my prewar. It's got a distinctive hum. Any suggestions?
@CNJ Rick posted:Here is a favorite of mine from the "Island Of Mis-Fit Toys".
Type V Trainmaster with Chrome faceplate and unfinished Marble Bakelite top section.
I never saw one like that CNJ Rick, not even at York
Most cool, thanks for sharing the pics
@Will posted:I've recently bought a Z for my prewar. It's got a distinctive hum. Any suggestions?
Please forgive me guys, but I just couldn't let this one pass.
Will, I suggest that you teach it the words
I have a 1033 as a bench transformer. I use an inline fast blow fuse and TVS diodes on the output terminals. I highly doubt you'll need anything more powerful for a bench transformer.
I got a KW when I got back into O gauge in the eighties. I would really like to say it was second to the ZW, but I can't. I just cannot figure out why they thought that whistle controller was a good idea. Its a shame because the KW had so many things going for it. I have a LW. It is perfectly fine for running small trains and switches, but if you want to go nuts on accessories the power is limited. My father had a couple of pre-war transformers. If you have access to a decent circuit breaker I would think one of those would be fine for a work area.
Love the old no frills 1033. Sits right on my work bench.
@Will posted:I've recently bought a Z for my prewar. It's got a distinctive hum. Any suggestions?
My Z also hums. I thought it was just the nature of the beast.
@ADCX Rob posted:
...But if you mount the KW on a vertical panel on your right, the operation is much more intuitive, as it pretty much duplicates the right hand side of a VW or ZW.
Ok, now that's something I'd like to see! 
I always liked the look of the TW because it was the first transformer that I ever saw. My friends dad had one for his O gauge set of trains when I was 5 years old. Next I met the Z at another friends house in 1959. I went from a 45 watt that came with my first set in 1958 to a KW in 1960 before I purchased a ZW as a college student in 1972. It was like new in the orange box for only $25.00. I regret that I did not keep it.
Like my old LW
@neilb711 posted:I use an old type V to power lights and accessories. For benchwork I use a 1033 and that is more than sufficient.
I have a 1033 and a V.
I will also put in a vote for the TW for bench power. 175 watts, 18VAC and 14VAC accessory outputs, orange horn/direction control. How cool is that bright green pilot light?
I refurbished this from a cheapo $10 trainshow find that had a badly busted case, to what you see above using a good condition case that gunrunnerjohn kindly hooked me up with. Thanks again John!
Last January I attended a train auction in Phoenix with a good friend, and saw a nice condition serviced ZW IN A BOX go for 65 bucks! I almost bid on it, but hey I don't need another ZW sitting under the train table. I remember not too long ago used ZW's used to regularly sell for $200 plus.
Rod
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My Type Z. Right next to my ZW!
On my PW layout it's a great addition and the 4 channels are perfect for fine tuning voltage for those finicky accessories like the barrel loader, saw mill and others.
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Leave out the ZW, I do not particularly like it. For me it is the KW. I also like that AF 30B; I did get a similar AF 18B but without the meters but it needs some work.
Nice seeing the old transformers. They bring back great memories. I’ve owned most of these at one time or another. I’m partial to the RW but only because I had it as a kid.
KW and the 1033 - I still have both from years gone bye. The molded plug on my KW is intermittent and needs replacement. My 1033 is mounted under my train table and I use it as a variable source for LED street lights. I have two ZW's powering my tracks.
Even tho I just purchased a ZW 275, I'm kinda partial to the KW's and 1033's. My previous layout I ran four trains powered by two KW's. My layout now which is 4'x8' I run two trains and powered by two 1033's.
I remember approx 18 yrs ago at York a prominent dealer said he remembers several yrs back after a train meet you'd see a lot of ZW's in a dumpster, now look at them (at that time), they're selling for $200. and more.
Another vote for KW. I use it for my Christmas layout.
I've always liked the S. Plenty of power for a train, and they've always been available for short money.
THE KW.
Reliable, durable and versatile- the KW.
The 1033 is my sentimental favorite as that is the one we had as kids. The ZW was the "I wish I had one" as a kid but too expensive. I now run my layout with 2 of them plus a KW for the accessories. The LW is very kool with it's lighted dial.
Dean
For me as a kid the KW was my great powerhouse and I still have that KW going strong----running my childhood trains 2328 Burlington and 685 Hudson--- it is the memories that are most powerful!
LW is my alternative to a ZW: Its compact, dial light glows as power is used, and it meets my needs. I am currently running a standard gauge loop on an elevated shelf layout in my home office and its perfect.
Mark
1033 90 watt
I favored the KW, but I wondered why Lionel opted for A and B throttle handles that worked in counter-intuitive directions instead of "logical" directions; i.e., both handles working in up/down arcs as a pair.
After a stroke and cardiac incidents, I sold my trains, accessories, and KWs via Stout Auctions. Fortunately, I survived and then decide to build a smaller-size L-shaped layout powered by a Lionel "brick" for track power (through TMCC) and two MTH Z1000s for fixed voltage to switches and accessories; also lighting for buildings. I used a computer power supply for DC volts to three short trolley lines on a Christmassy upper level.
Like others who have already contributed to this thread, I use a 1033 as a bench transformer. Goof proof.
Mike Mottler LCCA 12394
I will always love a Z. They were better than the ZW in my opinion. They seem to have more power than a ZW but I have always liked the LW also. I have both a Z and a LW on my 4x8 Super O layout.
My layout is now powered by two Z4000s (one powers the 2 main lines and the other powers the 8 sidings); and 2 ZWs (one powers the 12 022 switches and the other powers the Postwar accessories). Then, I have an TW on the far left side of the layout to provide power for the street lights and the Animated news stand in the village.
I also have the following spare transformers, either of which can be set up for trains around the Christmas tree (a Z4000 that needs a new fan so that one is on ice until the fan is replaced, a ZW, a KW and the AF 30B.
The 30B has dead man's throttle and looks like it could get spark the Frankenstein monster back to life. LOL.
Having alll these transformers is overkill, but I like knowing that if one or two break down and need to be repaired by an expert. I have more than enough back up. Arnold
@Mike H Mottler posted:I favored the KW, but I wondered why Lionel opted for A and B throttle handles that worked in counter-intuitive directions instead of "logical" directions; i.e., both handles working in up/down arcs as a pair.
KW throttles are both clockwise for increase.
But if you mount the KW on a vertical panel on your right, the operation is much more intuitive, as it pretty much duplicates the right hand side of a VW or ZW.
I remember seeing video of Ralph Johnson's layout where he actually turned the ZW up on end so the throttles on the one accessible side worked like a KW... I guess this orientation is more like an actual diesel throttle stand - maybe this is what Lionel was going for on the KW to compete with the design of the Flyer large transformers.
As I have written before using these old Lionel or AF transformers are an electrical fire waiting to happen.
The risk is not outweighed by the desire to use antique and outdated electronics. They may still work for you but be aware that if a fire occurs in your home due to one of these antique transformers your insurance may elect not cover your loss.
Instead, purchase a new transformer and put that old ZW AND OTHERS in a nice lighted display cabinet behind glass doors.
My American Flyer 12B
@AlanRail posted:As I have written before using these old Lionel or AF transformers are an electrical fire waiting to happen.
The risk is not outweighed by the desire to use antique and outdated electronics. They may still work for you but be aware that if a fire occurs in your home due to one of these antique transformers your insurance may elect not cover your loss.
Instead, purchase a new transformer and put that old ZW AND OTHERS in a nice lighted display cabinet behind glass doors.
I haven’t heard of any incidents of fires started by old Lionel or AF transformers. Has this happened to anyone here?
I've never heard of a fire caused by an old transformer, but it could happen with an old transformer or a new one for that matter if you have wires that are sized too small for your circuit protection.
Alan - The last time you made a similar statement about insurance coverage due to a fire caused by a PW transformer, I contacted my agent. Here's what my insurance agent said about coverage.
I know of no reason, other than arson, that an insured would deny a claim when the damage was caused by an electrical device.
However, there might not be coverage for the electrical device itself.
I guess you can keep your trains…
@AlanRail posted:As I have written before using these old Lionel or AF transformers are an electrical fire waiting to happen.
The risk is not outweighed by the desire to use antique and outdated electronics. They may still work for you but be aware that if a fire occurs in your home due to one of these antique transformers your insurance may elect not cover your loss.
Instead, purchase a new transformer and put that old ZW AND OTHERS in a nice lighted display cabinet behind glass doors.
My Mom.would agree with you. I have, as before, the V and 1033. Bit converted to PowerHouse PowerMaster combos because the fast breakers in the units. That and age made my Mom feel better. Came home to live with her because of her age.
@AlanRail posted:...be aware that if a fire occurs in your home due to one of these antique transformers your insurance may elect not cover your loss.
Good scare tactic, but patently false. There is no such exclusion for this scenario. There isn't even a stupidity exclusion in a homeowner's policy.
@Madockawando posted:I haven’t heard of any incidents of fires started by old Lionel or AF transformers. Has this happened to anyone here?
Right on Mad, just google it. Nothing. The company I work for has been in the claims business since 1941 and has not one incidence in its files of this sort.
This thread went TOXIC, and quick. Have fun with trains. Understand your specific electrical requirements. Don’t burn down the house. This was very useful.
Taking my ZW and ZW-L off the table. I have two Zs, KW, TW, RW, 1033 and a couple of others... boy, this is tough.
My Dad purchased the RW in 1953. It's on the test bench... and, operates flawlessly. It's smallish, has constant voltage, the sloped face, throttle is unobstructed, whistle and direction buttons. And, it's *Certified* by Underwriters Laboratory!!! 
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Tough to beat a ZW, but my favorite has to be the LW I inherited from my dad - that glowing dial brings me back!
