Lionel TW Transformer

Looks interesting ...

http://www.tandem-associates.c...s_tw_transformer.htm

When Dad passed his trains down to me, and I finally had a place for a permanent layout when I got married, all I had was his type R. I wanted another power source, so I picked up a TW. Never really liked it from the start. Just didn't seem to have as much juice as the R. I traded it off for a Type V, then picked up a second V and haven't missed the TW.

Here is the first of the service manual pages for the TW. (note there are two sets of pages because of a design revision).

As already noted, there are actually two transformers inside the case.

According to the page linked above, no more than 60 watts should be drawn from either transformer.

I can understand your wanting a TW transformer because of history. I think I have one put away. I know that I have serviced some.

IMHO, the best use would be for some lighting and/or operating accessories. Many Lionel accessories work best if you fine tune the voltage going to them. Maybe you could use the T.W. variable output to supply a few.

I note from CWB's link, that there are certain pairs of posts that can be used for fixed voltages that are not circuit breaker protected, just like the Type R. 

Given the design, a 175-watt rating is misleading

The TW is a unique design, and as such has its own pros and cons. Unlike other Lionel transformers, it is a dual-core design with separate fixed and variable power circuits. For that reason, it is ideal for powering a layout with lots of accessories, as adding accessories doesn't degrade the power available for trains.   On the other hand, it does not deliver as much power through the variable circuit as its power rating would indicate.  A TW also puts out more voltage than other postwar Lionel transformers - about 20 volts, if I remember correctly. For that reason, I use one to power the Standard Gauge loop on my dual-gauge layout. I'm not currently using the fixed side of that transformer, but it's there if I want it. 

The link posted by yamawho has a photo and a summary of the TW's characteristics. 

I have found over the years the TW was Lionel's worst transformer. They are problem prone to overheating. Ever notice that many have warped red and black handles? The internal heat travels through the die-cast switch shafts and to the handles and warps the plastic. And like CW spoke, there are 2 versions, the earlier one has one more binding post than the later. This was a short lived transformer in the Lionel catalog.

I have had my TW for 60 years and have not had any negative issues, such as overheating. Of course for most of it's life, and mine, it was only used for track power...until now I never had a somewhat permanent layout with lots of accessories. I currently use a CW-80 for track power for locomotives on my "old school" 027 layout...and it also powers all dozen or so switches. The TW is used mostly for fixed power to all of the static and most of the operating accessories. The variable power portion is presently used on the barrel loader and cattle car/yard operations because I can vary the amount of power and make for more controlled operation...so far it is a perfect use for the TW.

The other thing to be careful about is wiring this transformer into a layout with common ground buss wiring. Using certain combinations of terminals will results in a "floating ground". Pay close attention to the markings on the back of the transformer! IIRC, there are 2 posts in the center of the panel that are marked for constant voltage. Keep those 2 separate from the rest of the layout wiring.

As previously mentioned, there are 2 transformers inside. They are wired such that you cannot add the voltages together. You also cannot have more than half the transformer's rating being pulled from either core. If you do, and the circuit breaker does not trip, you will get overheating.

Chris

LVHR

Thanks everyone.  Seems as though nostalgia got the better of me.  Think I'll just forget about it, and stay with my current power sources. 

I use my TW to power up the  post-war part of my layout along with a fair number of accessories and switches.  CW-80's run the modern equipment portion.

I have traded out the bulbs for LED'S where applicable to lessen the load on the old girl.

George

You would feel the same about a ZW's 275 watt rating too.

Well, yes and no.  Lionel has said years ago not to pull more than 75% of rating.  But with the TW, less than half of the 175 watt rating is available for trains, since the secondary windings are separate.  That is misleading.

The wattage ratings of these transformers is the input rating of the primary winding, not the output rating of the secondary windings. The 175 watt rating of the TW then is accurate and not misleading. See the paragraph "Wattage Rating" from the service manual.

Larry

Looking at the coverage of the TW on page 580 of the Greenberg reproduction, it says that no more than 60 watts, or 4.5-5 amps, should be drawn from either circuit.  Looking at the face of the transformer in the link posted by yamawho above, it clearly says "175 watts output."  That is dead-donkey wrong!  As Larry notes, the ratings of old Lionel transformers were input:  i.e., before internal losses. 

For general info, in that same manual, the coverage for the V and VW, rated at 150 watts, says don't continuously draw more than 110 watts, approx 8 amps.  For the Z & ZW (early ed), rated at 260 wats, it says 180 watts, or 14 amps.

Bob,

   I have never owned TW transformer, the KW is a better transformer and a little more powerful, when I was a kid they cost similar money, so I never even considered owning a TW.  My father who was pretty knowledgeable about electronics always said the TW was a better accessory transformer than a transformer to run engines with.  They do look kind of original, and I would not mind owning one just for accessories and maybe running a couple Street Cars or a Fire Car.

PCRR/Dave

The transformer as shown in the link provided by "yamawho" has a plate that is labeled TWM.

The transformer that I am using and the one in the photo provided by "vallieone" both have plates labeled just TW. See photo below.

I know mine was was produced after the original run in 1953...because there is no B terminal, as there was on the earlier units. I guess my question is...where does the transformer with the TWM label come into play?

Anybody have any thoughts???

It was made for the Mexican market - 125-volt, 50-cycle primary.

I notice your has the handles (colors) reversed.

The writing appears to be different on the TWM label. It looks like 125 Volts...50-60 cycles? I'm guessing that this might have been made for export as I know Lionel did make some for overseas markets.

Peter

I guess I always thought that it was better to have the orange handle on the throttle side as a sign of "caution"...however, I'm sure 60 some years ago, I still managed to run my train OFF the tracks and threw "caution to the wind"!!!

They got some mileage out of that basic case mold. The SW and TW used it in "O" gauge. Lionel also used it for HO transformers 0102 and 0104.

is lionel going to recall the cw 80's that were made back 2006 - 2014???

No.

I got a good deal on a TW on a popular auction site whose name I shall not mention, and I've been using it as my primary power source for a few years.  I have had no issues whatsoever and it has handled whatever I've thrown at it (which isn't much having a 4x8 single loop layout), including lighted passenger cars.  I run it through my DCS so it always stays at 18 volts.  If you can find a good deal on it, I would recommend it.

I'll bet it was eBay.

The TW can be a very versatile transformer. I have two, and plan on using at least one to replace the 1033 and the little 1010 that I use for accessories on the O-27 layout now.

thanks for the info I have the bnsf maxi stack I just love that its fun hobby