conventional or what??

Pretty sure if it is LC+ you can use a conventional transformer, but if it is a regular LC you cannot.

Which type is it?

John

thanks John but i'm not sure what you mean by LC+ or LC. I put the engine on a track that is powered by a zw, the headlight goes on but no movement

i'll post a picture of the connector tonight

Neither of those appears to be a lionel product number, and it is a bit confusing .Is 4212 the number on the engine cab? And what is the EL number you cite? I would look closer at the engine to try and determine the model number, without that people won't be able to help you.

The fact that it has a connector between the tender and the engine means it is more modern era, but it could be (in theory) conventional (and the harness is for the sound system/reverser board) or a lionchief product or tmcc/legacy. 

Brief definition:

Conventional only- Works by using the transformer handle only, the way Lionel trains did all along. Button to reverse it.

train master control- Lionel's first command control system about 30 years ago. Engine can be operated via a command base (basically like radio control), or engine can be operated conventionally.

Legacy- Lionel's more modern command system. Again engine can be operated via command control, or can be operated conventionally.

Lionchief- a kind of command control Lionel introduced, that is run by a handheld remote that is dedicated to the engine. Lionchief engines will not operate conventionally. If the engine is in fact lionchief, you can buy the lionchief universal remote to operate it.

Lionchief + /Lionchief 2.0-similar to Lionchief, but can run in conventional mode

Again I think the key is figuring out what the lionel model number is, the numbers you gave don't tally against what I typically see with Lionel products.

@bigkid posted:

Lionchief- a kind of command control Lionel introduced, that is run by a handheld remote that is dedicated to the engine. Lionchief engines will not operate conventionally. If the engine is in fact lionchief, you can buy the lionchief universal remote to operate it.

Again I think the key is figuring out what the lionel model number is, the numbers you gave don't tally against what I typically see with Lionel products.

Good advice on both. I have one Lionchief engine, a Thomas the Tank Engine I bought for my youngest when she was little.  While it will run with the set's power supply (wall wart) OR a traditional transformer like the OP's ZW, a LC engine won't run unless commanded to do so by the dedicated handheld (or a universal handheld, I think).

I looked on Lionel's website and couldn't find an EL 0-8-0 but found a bunch of them in other roadnames, so it seems like a good bet that he has a Lionchief engine.

maybe these pictures will. Thanks

This is first generation Lionchief. You need a remote to run it. It can’t be run with just a transformer.

Pete

I believe it is from this LionChief set:

http://www.lionel.com/products...o-bluetooth-6-30233/

The engine is the 6-18791 0-8-0 locomotive and tender

You can use your conventional transformer as a power source if you keep it turned up full.  Then you can use the LionChief remote to operate it.  If you don't have the remote, you can get a universal remote.

John

@dawkil posted:

maybe these pictures will. Thanks

It's a lionchief as we thought.

You either need the correct remote that came with that engine, or use the universal orange learning remote.

Lucky for you, they have the remote and it's $12

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...OR-6-18791-PRR-0-8-0

The product support page also has videos and the manual

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...-Set-Loco-421_630235

http://www.lionel.com/products...-controller-6-83071/

It will NOT run under conventional.

It's an older pre-Bluetooth set so the Lionchief app on a phone will not work directly without also having the universal remote.

http://www.lionel.com/products...o-bluetooth-6-30233/

Sorry, I was grabbing pictures and details while others beat me to the answer.

Thanks for all the help. I did order the remote as suggested and will try it out. You all have a wonderful day

Thanks again folks. the remote arrived and the engine runs great. Now all i need is a tender. Any suggestions will be appreciated.