Lionel has just introduced the GW180, which is a CW type controller properly fused with the 180W Powerhouse. This is a nice addition to the line and will be a nice addition to a premium RTR sets or for separate purchase.
The power panel on my layout consists of 3-180 Powerhouses, 1-135 powerhouse with 4 Powermaster controllers to operate non TMCC trains by remote control and a KW and a Z Transformer to operate in basic hand control mode. I am able to switch between control methods using the the 4 SPDT switches next to the 180 Powerhouse. The TMCC Controller is under the layout and not visible on the power panel and there is open space under the transformer shelf is for the possible future addition of DCS running in passive mode.
Like many this system grew over time from the original KW transformer, then I updated to TMCC. Next I adding 2 powermasters for non TMCC Remote Control followed by the Z transformer for additional power (one powermaster for each transformer). Eventually I added the first two Powerhouse bricks and finally added the last two powermasters with bricks (one at a time).
As nice as the GW180 is I think Lionel would have been ahead of the game if it had added a GW-L 180, which would have also included the ability to control the transformer by Legacy command control. I don’t know what the cost differential between a GW and a GW-L would have been but this is already a premium transformer package and it probably would have been an acceptable increase. Looking at my control panel I can see where it would have been a nice option when I was growing my system. I realize if funds had been readily available I could have upgraded to a ZW-controller instead of adding the Powermaster-Powerhouse combination but some of us don’t have that option when we are starting out.
