I have noticed this phenomenon several times over the years. I use a Z4000 transformer on my test loop/and my 4 by 8 layout. My postwar engines seem to smoke OK using this transformer. When I service a ZW or KW, and I test the transformer at my layout, the postwar locos smoke better, and the whistle works better using a postwar transformer. Food for thought.
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My GF's dad gave me an early 90s locomotive, and the tender won't whistle at all with a postwar transformer, but works fine with those cheap conventional ones from the early 90s. Strange.
I find that a bit odd as both the PW transformers and the Z4000 are true sine wave transformers. At the same voltage settings, I can't imagine why one would work better than the other.
I did notice that the postwar transformers have to put out more voltage to run the postwar locos, this may explain the smoke improvement. The Z4k runs most postwar locos at 13 volts or sometimes less. Interesting.
Interesting...I consistently get better "slow" performance and more smoke output with my postwar locomotives (all steamers) with a modern chopped sine wave transformers like a cheap CW80 than with my original ZW and KW transformers.
I would speculate that the Z4K would be like like the original ZW since its a full sine wave throughout the voltage range only with a lot more power.
I remember Mike Reagan did a video to explain this as well, but I have personally experienced it on my small fleet of post war locomotives.
As they say, your mileage may vary...
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