Curious about the Lionel VW transformer

The VW first came out with the Electronic Set in 48 and 49. It was replaced with the ZW with 275 watts of power. If you had it with the Electronic Set that would be cool to see in all its original boxes... however rare? Not sure about that, and demand?

not sure about that either. 

As J Daddy notes, there is a history to the VW.  Here is additional information....

http://www.tandem-associates.c...s_vw_transformer.htm

c. sam,

   The VW is not very often seen, in fact I have only seen one in the Pittsburgh area

in my 60 plus years of running trains.  I actually would like to own one, if I could purchase one for reasonable money.  The KW is the closest Lionel power transformer to it, at 190 Watts.  I have looked off and on thru the years for the 1948/49 VW, to add this transformer to my power supply desk, can't find one in real good shape, at a reasonable cost any where.

PCRR/Dave 

Drop me a line Dave as I've had one for a long time and might consider letting it go for an interesting trade...

c. sam,

   That would be great, I can't seem to figure out how to find anyones e-mail or private mail on the forum, please drop me some e-mail at Pine-Creek@live.com would love to talk to you about your VW transformer.

PCRR/Dave

The VW and ZW transformers had the same service info:

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=671

The 'ZW' Multi-Control transformer differs from the illustrated 'VW' in having a heavier Coil and Lamination Assembly and a different Circuit breaker. The wiring and arrangement of parts are identical.

Type 'VW' transformer, rated at 150 watts, can supply continuously 110 watts, or approximately 8 amperes at the working track voltage ...

Type 'ZW' transformer, rated at 250 watts, can supply continuously 180 watts at 14 amperes ... 110 - 125 volts, 50 - 60 cycles [for both units]. 

Dave,

There are also 2 on eBay right now as well.

Chris,

   Thanks much but I do not purchase trains or power supplies off of e-Bay at any time.

PCRR/Dave

There's a VW running the figure-8 portion of the display layout in the hallway at South Hills Shopping Center in Cary NC.

c sam,

   Hay don't let these guys talk you our of letting me have the VW now!

PCRR/Dave

Len: That's a nice layout and so is your store (Tom's Trains).

I have a VW which I’ve had for a long time (probably obtained from a train collection I purchased 35-40 years ago). However, the left handle is broken off and it needs a new cord. I didn’t realize it was “rare”.

Bill

The VW was replaced with the KW.  The 275 watt ZW replaced the 250 watt ZW.

Your loss Pinecreek.

I just realized, this is very likely the transformer my friend Bob had back in junior high school.  He or his dad had painted the sides with paint and painted windows, etc., and put some sort of pitched roof on the top and all for it to look like a building (well, sort of like one) since is was attached to his 4 x 12 garage layout on one corner.  That obscured any Lionel name and made it look weird, etc.  Anyway, his Dad told us it was a "an old VW transformer" - we both thought it had been made by Volkswagen and that his Dad has so cool for having modified it to power Bob's trains.

Hello all,

I am learning about all the different types of transformers as well. Found this ad on CL, it has pictures for you guys that have not seen one (like me) and are curious.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/clt/3667732754.html

-Ferromex