General opine on the MTH Z4000

I moved this to the correct forum since it is a question about an MTH product!

I have a bunch of Z4000s and a bunch of Zs.  I like the 4000s, but I have a few proto 1 locos left and they are good for that and I like having the meters.  If I were to go with all Zs, would have to come up with meters and bell buttons.  That said, at these prices, if I only had Zs, I doubt I would pop for Z4000s.

Here one on the For Sale boards that is a great price from a OGR Member.

https://ogrforum.com/...0-transformer-ln-350

Because I run a mixed fleet (Lionel and MTH), I find the Z4000, especially the programming feature is just something I'm not willing to live without. We had the same situation at the local club, we had GW180s, and they just didn't work will with PS1 MTH engines, heck, even PS2 and 3 I could not do a factory reset just because of delays in bell and whistle timing.  No granted, we were buying used Z4000 for $250-$350 via trainshows and other places. The club owns 4, I own 3 myself now.

That said, I still would not look back. I bought a new Z4000 as a spare or layout expansion from the last batch and paid over $450 delivered, so while the $500+ price that they have risen to is painful, that's just what it costs.

Now yes, you could absolutely add an external bell and whistle control to a refurbished ZW (I have one just on the shelf for that day I need it), but between the meters, the features, the ease of use, I can justify the Z4000 cost.

Not everyone feels that way and I understand their position on cost and the DIY ability to build out the required circuit breaker and external bell and whistle control systems. The ZW is a good overbuilt transformer from a time era when that's how things were built and they may outlive all of us with modern cords, minor roller repairs and maintenance.

Honestly just keep your ZWs and add a bell controller and modern circuit protection. No need to buy a different transformer if what you have is working for you.