How many amps?

Joe,  The 500 may be an under source, but I don't see how it melted the track lockon unless the 500 breaker failed to operate at overcurrent.  The extra lockons help with voltage drop along the layout, but ultimately the current draw will be additive to a connection point.

Maybe a Lionel PH-180 as a source.  The reason being is the electronic breaker is super fast and any derailment or issue will trigger the breaker usually faster than any other transformer out there.  If there is anything that can protect your grandkids trains from themselves it would be that transformer.   G

Place one of the lighted passenger cars on the track, and measure the amperage with a clamp meter, then multiply by the number of cars. 

A very old clamp meter, analog, complete with a needle, and number scales.  Most meters today would be digital.

Well I thought that it may have had too much power pulled thru it:

http://mthtrains.com/content/50-1013

Maybe it was just on the way out then.

I have the Lionel 180w bricks on my layout. If I get more, I'll have a tough time letting them go! I could use a couple more myself.

 I may have to add an inline fuse to help protect things. I have bought them three different control systems now. I even bought them a old used Z750, but it didn't work when it arrived. Because they're so young, they get frustrated when the systems don't do what they should. The kids behave when I'm there or at my house. When they're alone, it's a different story.

 I'm blaming the lock-on because I noticed it struggling when I was there. It didn't do what it was asked to do a couple of times. I put in fresh batteries and it worked better, for a few hours. I saw the train just sit there once and the lights were rapidly flickering. It only got worse.

Are you talking about the MTH IR Remote Control Lockon?  Those are pretty prone to cook the track control drivers, I've repaired several of them, one of them a couple of times.  If you overload them, they will fry.

Edit, I just saw your link, that's indeed the unit I'm talking about.  They're not that robust and a track short will frequently take them out if the transformer doesn't trip very quickly.

Joe

Grand kids ya gota love em. Sounds like me and you both need to just go with a couple of cheap Lionel chief remote sets and then each have a remote to crash and burn.

I'm just trying to make you grin a little and forget some of the frustration.

Larry

Yeap, Larry!

You got it!

For the Amtrak set:

One must draw a line in the sand when the passenger cars draw more current than the engine pulling them.

 This is my lame excuse.

I would have hoped by now, that these manufacturers would have switched to LEDs.

I think I may have to agree Stan. It's time to upgrade them. + They are BNIB!!

 What make are these?

Eng-Joe,

    If I were you I would get a set of 10 Amp Scott resettable breakers and add them to your grandkids layout.  Further IMO grandkids playing with the trains unsupervised is a definite mistake, until they get older.  Got to tell you this however, I would give anything to have grandkids to pass my trains on too.

PCRR/Dave

Joe, you don't know about my lighting kits?

Passenger Car LED Lighting Kit at Henning's Trains

For a discount code for OGR readers, see this thread: NEW Passenger Car LED Lighting Kit

If you don't mind soldering, you can just use the regulator modules and wire them yourself for less money.

I tend to disagree with Larry re cheap Lionel sets.  At least with DCS, you can set the max speed and younger grandkids can't figure how to override it.  Also, they can be taught very early about the red button, to press if a crash is imminent.  I will say that the remotes should be on a neck lanyard.  And you should see the look on the face of a 7-year old when you tell him he can go downstairs alone and run grandpa's trains.

they are good around me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...xZM9pcZwOpkZrcdHggpg

Nice video Joe!

 I agree with this but I can't be there.

I have seen them putting stuff on and off the tracks while the power was on. I taught them not to do that, and then their cousins did it right in front of me. I was surprised the z500 brick's breaker didn't trip.

 I should have kept them in the Geotrax or Thomas wood sets!! Once you hand over the remote, it's all over with.