Problem-powering 3 different levels of track

Are you running command or conventional?  How many trains are you running at the same time?  What size consist's will you be running?  How steep are the grades?

The questions John is asking all make a difference. If you're only running one engine at a time and just traversing all levels then one transformer will work. If your engine load is small one small transformer will work. If you're running a train on each level then one transformer on each level will work and if the engines are small and not "Lashed up" it can be small. If you're running large "lashed up" trains with a lot of lit passenger cars then one ZW or one track power controller per loop would be better. My layout is split into four pieces of equal track length and as I'm running TMCC only I have the ability to run up to 300 watts to each quarter of the layout. As I'm still in the construction mode I only have one 135 watt brick wired to the whole layout and this will run 2 engines with one being a passenger train with 5 or less cars. When the layout progresses I'll add the other three 135 watt bricks in.

Ron

Dear John and Ron, Last year I ran a Holiday Train show with a simulated "mountain" that was actually 2 ply wood boards on six tables. The problem is that someone else ran the electrical connections and he is no longer with the club. I ran two concentric loops on the bottom of the mountain one on the second and one on the top. I already have one transformer which I got with my Polar Express set. My question is this do I go with a big ZW and one more regular transformer or two smaller regular ones? I just need to make my purchases within the next few months. It was quite spectacular! I will the particular members electrical expertise...... Mike

Your 80-watt transformers, one for each track, should handle anything conventional except long, lighted passenger trains perhaps.

 

I have three loops myself.  It sounds like they are somewhat longer than what you propose.  On it I use 3 old transformers:  Lionel LW 125 watts, Lionel 1033 90 watts and Marx 50 watts.  I run mostly Postwar and a lot of modern traditional-sized passenger cars.  I never need to move the lever more than halfway on the LW and usually around 3/4 on the 1033.  Even the little Marx, which powers the shortest of the loops, can run a power-hungry Lionel 736 freight train. 

You still haven't answered the question: "Are you going to run command or conventional or both on the layout?".

 If running conventional or both a ZW will power all four of the loops with enough power to run most trains in either command or conventional mode. Also a small transformer (like you have already) on each loop will run most trains.

 If running command only 135 watt or 180 watt Lionel bricks (one to each loop) will do the job. Also your trainsformer on one loop and a brick on each other loop will work.

 

You cheapest way out may be a good post war ZW. It has 4 handle controlled outputs so it can run 4 small to medium sized trains at once. Only the A & D outputs have whistle control though. You can pick up a good one for around 200 dollars.

Ron

 

 

I want to run both as I want to make it interesting for the kids who attend each show. I appreciate the value of these shows at bringing the "magic" back to the Christmas season! I can't wait to begin bringing the generations back together! Mike Maurice

Mike, is there some specific reason you don't answer the questions posed?  Is there some hidden agenda you are pursuing that we don't know about?  You ask for help, yet you refuse to answer even basic question about the configuration.  Are we supposed to divine the answers based on no information?

Dear Gunrunnerjohn, I have an MTH block transformer as well as a MTH version of a wireless remote control that enables engine noise and track sounds I would actually like to run both conventional and command control. However, I do not have the Lionel version of command control I have only the basic set up that I purchased last year with the ready to run Polar Express set. Last year I had made a big effort to put this show on. I even had the 2 extra tables built to my specifications (because I'm not a carpenter) you should see them when they are stacked one on top of the other, the three level mountain looks so realistic! Mike I apologize for being novice.

If you have 3 loops your transformer and one post war Zw will run the other loops at a cost of about 210.00. Two Lionel Lw transformers and your transformer will also do it at about 180.00. Two CW80 transformers and your transformer will also do it at about 120.00. I got these prices of the bay and could be a little less or more depending on which item you choose. These are all used transformers if you're looking at new the CW80s will run about 250.00 for a pair and the ZW much higher. All of these will run conventional and adapt to Lionel command control.

Ron

Thank you so much! I have to please the kids coming to the show! I knew I could count on you! Won't you come to the show so you could enjoy it as well? Do you live near Staten Island? Mike Maurice

I'd be glad to come to the show but unfortunately I live in central lower Michigan.

Ron

Oh! Wow! So far away! My sister lives in Sawyer, Michigan. Is that far from you? How cold is outside now? Do you live in the Great Lakes Area? I hear it gets very cold up there! Mike

Sawyer is in the Southwest corner of lower Michigan down by the Indiana border. I live halfway between Flint and Lansing. It is raining now and about 51 degrees. Because of the great lakes around it Michigan's temperature is somewhat affected by the lake temperature so the summers are a little cooler and the winters a little warmer than the midwest US.

Ron

You could use a modern ZW along with a Cab 1 (TMCC) or Cab 2 (Legacy) and run all 3 tracks in conventional or command mode. This will give you independent control of each loop, allowing each loop to be controlled in a conventional manner, or command.

 

Just use the program feature of the ZW, and each throttle is controlled by the hand held remote. You put each handle at full throttle, and then dial up the voltage with the remote based on how you want to run your engines.

 

You could do the same thing with a PW ZW, but you would also need a TPC 300/400 for each loop you want to control seperately. This is all explained in detail on the Lionel Customer Service YouTube Channel.