Lionel CW80 vs. MTH Z1000 for postwar steamers

Z 1000

It runs my PW perfect. I use as the standard Christmas floor transformer and I run everything from PW to TMCC to PS3 with it. Plenty enough power for smoke and lights, then some.

Either one. The CW can be had for a substantial discount.

Z-1000. Cheaper, More power, More Reliable. Solid built product. The CW80 does have the advantage of being an "all in one" unit, unlike the Z1K with the controller and brick separate. 

On Ebay, why are the CW80's much less compared to new ones?  Like $40 used compared to $120 or up new.      Also, . . . can I power a Z1000 controller with my old ZW fixed output ?  (i think 21 volts AC).

SJC posted:

Z-1000. Cheaper, More power, More Reliable. Solid built product. The CW80 does have the advantage of being an "all in one" unit, unlike the Z1K with the controller and brick separate. 

The other CW advantage is the programmable adjustable accessory output.

Drummer3 posted:

On Ebay, why are the CW80's much less compared to new ones?  Like $40 used compared to $120 or up new...

Set break-ups.

Drummer3 posted:

 . . . can I power a Z1000 controller with my old ZW fixed output ?  (i think 21 volts AC).

Should be able to.

Thanks for the info Rob.

Dave

Better, go with the GW-180.

Jon

Drummer3

    Pick up an old KW or better yet an old ZW, IMO much better Transformers and you can purchase them used at most Trains shows, for less money than the new CW-80.  Both will run your post war trains quite well, both these old Lionel Transformers are not entry level Transformers, and will last many life times.  I still use both on parts of my layouts even today.

PCRR/Dave

Drummer3 posted:

On Ebay, why are the CW80's much less compared to new ones?  Like $40 used compared to $120 or up new.      Also, . . . can I power a Z1000 controller with my old ZW fixed output ?  (i think 21 volts AC).

Just search the forum for the discussions on the CW-80.

Bill

If it's the choice between just those two--I'd go with the CW80. 

But i run postwar with used but reconditioned post war transformers. I second the thought on the KW or ZW. As long as you are at the throttle,and don't use them for modern trains without understanding that their circuit breakers are very slow compared with the trip of a z1000 or CW, you will be very happy with an older transformer.

Here's my personal favorite for one track running:

Lionel 1033

https://www.tandem-associates....1033_transformer.htm

I have heard that the chopped wave form output of the CW80 or Z1000 causes the postwar steam engines to smoke better at low speeds, and that the light stays brighter as well.   

Drummer3 posted:

I have heard that the chopped wave form output of the CW80 or Z1000 causes the postwar steam engines to smoke better at low speeds, and that the light stays brighter as well.   

I can't speak to the light (although I'll have to look at that), but the chopped CW wave certainly improves the starting momentum of postwar locos. You know how old Lionel has a tendency to have two speeds--fast and off? :-) The chopped wave seems to mitigate the INSTANT FAST aspect of the locos and I've found a much more subtle start up. I don't know if that's my imagination,but I don't think it is. Others with electrically inclined brains can chime in about that.

But I still enjoy using the old transformers. I just learned the hard way that without modern circuit breakers, you power constant voltage DCS control modern circuit trains with old transformers at your risk. But for post war with you at the throttle, old transformers still run well!