LIONEL ZEPHYR SET UP?

Jimarro posted:

Hi, I just joined earlier today.  My first attempted post ended up under "passenger car window repair", great, definitely not the place to post my question.

I just bought a Lionel 6-51008 Zephyr (2004 model). It says it is TMCC equipped.  I'm a complete novice,  so here's the question, The train will only be used in a static display, but I would like the lights to work,  along with the engine sound and I'd like smoke,  (controlled separately?).  I now know the train needs to be set in program mode.....and?    So what do I need to make that work correctly?  Lionel told me to get a CW80?, someone else said a MTH Z750?  along with the transformer, do I also need, or would benefit from a CAB-1 and  command base?  

Thanks, any help would be greatly appreciated

Jim (Jimarro)

Hi, welcome to the forum. It sounds like for what you want a CW80 will work fine. I think that it would need to be set in program mode if you have command control. Command control would probably be better in a layout setting then a static display.

Bill

Thanks Bill for your response.  

From what I've gathered so far,  if I wanted to have the CW80, (or another transformer, perhaps a 135W powerhouse ?),  inside a cabinet, could I then use a Cab 1 remote with the command base to control lights, engine sound and smoke? 

What little bit I have learned so far,  is what I've gained just since this morning, so everything is really quite new to me.  I saw a video that mentioned a power block(?), do I need one of those?   Will the engine (Zephyr 6-51008, 2004 model) need to be programmed?  I downloaded the Lionel manual today, so I'm sure I'll gain a lot from that.

Thanks again, you guys are proving to be most helpful

I have this set. Even though you intend it as a display item, which is mostly what it has been for me, I’d recommend having a TMCC remote as well as a transformer. It will be easier to control the operating features using the remote. For example, you don’t get the same control over sound while the engine is standing still using just a transformer/conventional mode. By all means check out the manual before you put it on a track and try starting it up. Unless it’s used and has had an engine number programmed already, as per page 4 of the manual it should answer to engine 1 through the remote.

Also, as pointed out in GRJ’s answer to your other posting on the Control Systems Forum, in conventional mode the engine will normally default to forward when power is applied. Although I have never tried locking the loco into one direction or neutral, the manual at page 7 is a little obscure about whether it will stay at that setting after power is cycled off. I also second his warning about keeping the smoke unit filled!

In any case, you might just find you want to run it around a track sometime and the remote (once you master it, which is not hard) gives it more play value, IMHO. I think that this set is a fine runner with a great finish and sound. I have not had a single QC issue with mine but you don’t say whether yours is new in box or used.

Thanks Hancock52 for your great advice, that is exactly what I'll do.  I really do wish I had the room to run it, perhaps one of these days I can make that happen.  In the meantime, I'll be a really nice addition to an Art Deco themed office.

Thanks again

Jimarro posted:

Thanks Bill for your response.  

From what I've gathered so far,  if I wanted to have the CW80, (or another transformer, perhaps a 135W powerhouse ?),  inside a cabinet, could I then use a Cab 1 remote with the command base to control lights, engine sound and smoke? 

What little bit I have learned so far,  is what I've gained just since this morning, so everything is really quite new to me.  I saw a video that mentioned a power block(?), do I need one of those?   Will the engine (Zephyr 6-51008, 2004 model) need to be programmed?  I downloaded the Lionel manual today, so I'm sure I'll gain a lot from that.

Thanks again, you guys are proving to be most helpful

Yes, you would be able to use command control with either of them. If you got the powerhouse you would need a tmcc direct lock on it looks like. You wouldn't need power block for a static display.

Bill