Need to upgrade from my Lionel Powermax Plus 40watt Transformer/Controller

I would recommend the Z-1000 for the price you want to pay.  It's a good transformer with a nice controller.  At 100W it should be ok for the Amtrak engine.

Check eBay for a Post War KW.  I've seen some go for pretty good prices with original box.

Jon  

The CW80 has a love/hate relationship with many. I was in your shoes and found a used Z-1000 for $50.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the advice folks.  Would this be a good one?  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lionel...2:g:NUAAAOSw5cNYMlPL

It ends in two hours....

With the street price of the CW-80 well under $50 with shipping, I would go that route.

I just found a fellow here selling a CW 80 parted out from a set for $50. I've sent him an email.  It would be pretty nice to get this taken care of for less half price!

Annoying transformer.  It has a fan, for some reason, I don't want to know why, which makes noise, and when it stops making annoying noise, it stops working.  It is an unrealiable power source, for example I won't use it on my work bench, where I need to know it is putting out power to test an engine.   The earlier models have a remarkably bad reputation for failing.  A CW80 is best used as a doorstop.  With the power off.