Lionel ZW dead

How about the wire to the Common "U" posts, which is behind the "U" posts inside the shell.

How did you check the circuit breaker. if there was no power to the rear posts?  The breaker is the #1 suspect.

Yea check the wire going to the common U bar inside mine broke no power

The green pilot lamp does not indicate input (primary) power.

You’re gonna have to open it up to have a look around. If unsure, there’s videos on YouTube, or how to’s on Jim Barrett’s in the back shop. Usual suspects are: broken binding post rivet( s ) on the common bus bar, broken solder joint on the common bus bar wire, failed thermal breaker, or open circuits that need to be traced. …….

I have seen all 4 common bus bar rivets broke, and the bus bar just hanging out there in the blue…..I’ve bought several that way, as the owner said it was dead, or junk…..

Pat

old ZW's are never 'dead', they just aren't working properly.

if you search "zw repair" you will find loads of posts and repair info

This may help: 

https://ogrforum.com/...4#152477234429796594

Mitch

The ZW is pretty simple, just trace things out and see where the power is lost.  First thing to do is get the green pilot light on, it's directly connected across the fixed secondary and should light anytime the transformer is plugged in.