Needed power

The size of a layout has little to do with the power required. It is the size and number of trains and accessories that you plan on running on that layout that determine how much power is needed.

@John H posted:

The size of a layout has little to do with the power required. It is the size and number of trains and accessories that you plan on running on that layout that determine how much power is needed.

Well the  purpose of the double crossover is too run two trains and I said no accessories.

@fgnewton posted:

Well the  purpose of the double crossover is too run two trains and I said no accessories.

But what 2 trains?

2 freight trains- only the engines draw power, none of the cars

Passenger car with lights- then we have with LED lighting or incandescent lighting- maybe draws as much power if not more than the engine.

Postwar conventional VS modern DC can motor?

Again, you do a power budget. You run one train at a time and figure out what power it needs. Add up the 2 trains you want to run at the same time or better yet, figure out your 2 highest current draw scenarios- add some margin of safety to that- that's how big your power source needs to be.

If you are running some newer modern equipment it might only draw 1.5A nominally, and so 2 trains= 3+ Amps, within the range of reason for a CW80. Most people likely would recommend more power for larger trains, but again, right now all we know is your track plan- and that's not relevant or needed. What we need is your operating requirements (which right now is 2 generic trains running).

Edit, further research into your previous posts show you running Lionchief engines. Granted you might have other engines, but those sets often come with 31.5 Watt supplies. and at some point in your posts you mentioned a 72Watt Lionchief supply. So it appears you moved up to AC power in a CW80 and roughly 80 Watts, perfectly capable of running 2 typical Lionchief sets.

So... like Vernon said, mostly Lionchief, maybe adding a Doodlebug.  Looking at the CW80 because I was gifted a MPC era passenger train.  Someday will move in Legacy engines  that can do O31 curves.

I would think an older engine with a pullmore motor and several passenger cars with incandescent lights will tax your 80W transformer.

@Kenjr posted:

I would think an older engine with a pullmore motor and several passenger cars with incandescent lights will tax your 80W transformer.

Especially if there's another train running on the other loop!

Consider obtaining a Lionel LW, 125 watt input transformer.  It will run two trans without much effort and is reasonable in cost.

Charlie

Years ago I had a layout just slightly smaller than yours and I powered it with a KW for trains and 1033 for accessories .  Your better off planning on reserve power for growth.

I like your track plan but I don't see any reversing loops ?

I'm thinking about a MTH Z-1000... it has a 20 more watts than CW80 and has a shorter footprint.  What are the drawbacks about that unit?

I'm a "plan for the future" kind-a guy.  So from my perspective I installed more power then needed at the start and the reserve power would be available as my layout grew.  Turned out that was a good choice for me.