Thanks for all advice guys.
Modeltrainsparts, buying an LW plus a lionel activation button was my first thought, but folks have advised me that the button is perhaps not a good solution because the engines will slow down when I push the button. Maybe I am expecting too much, but I don't want my locos to slow down even a little bit when I activate the horn/bell. Of course, perhaps some folks thought I was running Postwar engines, which is what I started out with a year ago, but I have switched to the more modern dual can motors. So, I'm not sure what happens.
Maddock, thanks for the advice. I know that the ZW-L is an incredibly superior unit. However, the reason that I won't be going for a ZW-L is that after a year of work, my train layout is about 95% finished, I have managed to do the whole thing for around $1,600. . That includes four engines, 28 cars, table, track, transformer, track bed, wire, switch outs, . . .the whole thing. I did this by primarily buying used items that I have learned to repair, used track, sale items, and going to the train store flea market in my neighborhood and rummaging through old boxes once a month. Generous members of this Board have also helped, by selling me VG+ cars and a BEEP (thanks John!) at bargain prices.
The only thing left for me to do is some structural scenery, and it will be sparse. Happily, when the flea market train shop goes out to buy a used layout, they take everything (including the painted buildings). Since nobody is going to drive all of the way to this rural area to look for little buildings, it is just put on shelves and price at around $5 to $10. It sits there for months and months.
So, with my shoe-string approach, spending $800 plus on a transformer would be way way out of my league. :-) My collecting and trading expertise really lies in other areas. :-)
But again, Thanks to all.
Mannyrock