I recently found a Hornby tinplate E120 steam locomotive (electric, not clockwork) to go with my small collection of Hornby tinplate 4-wheel, pre-war freight. It hasn't arrived yet, but it and other Hornby electric locos are said to run on 20V. Will these locos run on our transformers? I have MTHZ1000 and Z750 with their controlers, but I cannot find anywhere the Voltage output of these transformers. (Variable output, I assume, but 20V??) I don't think I can use a European transformer because they have 220V line voltage which won't work on a normal 120v outlet here. Anybody know if I can use my transformers with this loco or if I have to get something special? Thanks...
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I do not know positively about the MTH transformers but the postwar Lionel ZWs put out about 20V the Z and some of the other single letter transformers put out about 25v.
I would expect the MTH transformers also put out around 20v as well. It should be able to run the Hornby loco as well.
Roland
hojack,
I've no problem running any of mine. I'm using Lionel Z's and a Z4K. Almost all prewar need a bunch of power. My 402 with the larger cars use 18-22 volts on level surface. My smaller #8 with four 330 series cars uses 15 volts...Gotta Love the OZONE!
I have a BB-8051 that likes about 20v to get running, but will take less as it warms up. My MRC Dual handles it just fine.
Steve
Thank you gentlemen. Sounds like I should just give it a try with the transformers I have and it may work just fine. Glad it doesn't require some esoteric power source, I was beginning to wonder what I'd gotten myself in for. Can't wait til it arrives.
Steve, the BB8051 has only one pickup shoe, is that right? Any trouble going over switches, etc?
I use a Lionel Type R transformer, as my Princess Elizabeth needs 20 volts just to get moving. The Z4000 doesn't work as well with the PE.
The main issue I would be concerned about is it AC or DC as Hornby made both. I have a Hornby French outline electric and I know its an AC version because it has a manual reverse; the remote versions are DC. bertiejo
Thank you gentlemen. Sounds like I should just give it a try with the transformers I have and it may work just fine. Glad it doesn't require some esoteric power source, I was beginning to wonder what I'd gotten myself in for. Can't wait til it arrives.
Steve, the BB8051 has only one pickup shoe, is that right? Any trouble going over switches, etc?
The Hornby E120 arrived, it is very sweet. Do not have my O gauge track set up yet so it will be a while before i can run it. John, thank you for the note about the R transformer. I found a rebuilt & restored one and have it on order, it puts out 24v. The Z1000 top output is only 18V.
Thanks again everyone.