Power Requirements

In a nutshell:

Pretty much this.

---PCJ

You need to know what kind of engines and passenger cars you are going to run, for example; one or two powered diesels with dual motors, each diesel can draw about 3 to 4 amps and lighted passenger cars can draw about half to 1 amp. So you would probably be good with a 100 watt transformer or larger.

First  figure out your power needs, what you are running or plan to run and accessory power too, include switches as well for power needs(might be small but still needs to be added in).

Lee Fritz

necrails,

    In my clase it was over a life time of running trains, in both the clubs and at home.

I ran with a single Pre war square Lionel transformer with the small three button controller up until 1959 when my Grandfather purchased our 1st ZW, which I still own and use, other ZW's were added as the layouts grew in size, the Z4K's have been added in recent years with the DCS & Legacy Controls.  The KW's were picked up thru the years at Trains shows for a steal, to run Street Cars and Fire Engine bumper cars.  In the past I ran the old 711 switches which needed massive power to operate.  The lighted passenger & operating rolling stock needed additional power also.  Now with the FasTrack low voltage Command control switches & the LED bulbs in my rolling stock, I have lots of power with all my different transformers to run 8 or 10 big trains via DCS/Legacy all at the same time on the same and different levels of the Christmas layout.  In reality you still need to over power your layout for best running results..

PCRR/Dave

I have a couple of post war transformers myself. A 275 watt ZW, a 250 watt Z, and a 190 watt KW. The KW is a two train transformer with whistle and three separate accessory taps. 

My newer transformers are 2 MTH Z-1000's, they are 100 watt with both whistle and bell feature. Also bought an MTH Z-750 power brick to power my DCS base unit, as I am using the 2 Z-1000's for track power.

In the past I have used small transformers from Lionel sets but they have no real power for my layout needs other then to power some lights in the Plasticville houses. Have about 4 or 5 of the small transformers, around 40 watts or a bit more.

The small transformers are good for bench testing an engine as well, if you do that.

Lee Fritz

I guess what I am trying to learn is why one large layout seems to be just fine with a single transformer and others have multiples of some large device.  Now it makes absolute sense if you have something like the layout NJHIGHRAILERS have but for a home layout I am stumped.  Again my go to example is the layout of a form member,Black Diamond RR, a single Z-4000 for a 32 x 12 foot layout with as many as 12 operating locos yet others have multiple Z-4000, ZW's etc.  Do post war motors draw that much more current, are modern can motors more efficient, I am stumped.

Post war motors draw a lot more power or watts then a new can motor will. Another thing is lighting, newer LED or CFL draw less power as well compared to incandescent light bulbs. The other trick to using only one transformer is to run several feeder wires to the track about every four sections of track for more consistent voltage.

However I am stuck on the incandescent light bulbs for model railroading as you just screw one in and go, no need for any electronic parts to use with them. The down side is you need more power for the incandescent light bulbs. I have lots of G.E. Mazda lights I am using with some single train transformers.

Lee Fritz