This old horse starts throwing voltage down on the track at about 7.5 to 8 volts, which is an absolute nightmare with can motors and still a headache for single motor Lionels. What can I do with the LW, or perhaps between the LW and the track to reduce this start voltage? somewhere around 5 volts would be OK, or even lower, if possible. Thanks!
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Dale,
Doesn't your bell/whstle controller reduce voltage only when the bell or whistle is activated? Or do I have it backwards and that there is a voltage increase when they are activated?
Denny
More expensive method would be a variac transformer where you could dial down its output voltage going into your transformer, so that the LW starting voltage would be what you want it to be ie 3-4 V, realizing of course the the LW max top end voltage will also drop by same amount. Later when you want, you can dial variac back up to nominal 120V out so LW puts out its normal 7-8V again for older "cranky" locos that need a higher start voltage.
Thanks Dale. I should have known that I would have it backwards. :-)
Denny
No,it is always in the circuit. About a 4 volt drop. It can be wired also out of the circuit. But in the circuit it gives about a 2 volt boost when the whistle or bell button is pushed. Out of the circuit,there would be a voltage drop to the track when the button is pushed. there are 2 ways to do it.
Here is a post on automating it ,and it also has some pictures of the diodes in a barrier strip
Dale H
Good God Dale,
What is that?
Awesome Dale! Would really love to see that layout in action. 
There is a reason that the postwar transformers start at such a high voltage. The e-unit operates on start up, it only gets ready to do something on shut down. So Lionel needed the transformers to come on at a voltage high enough to operate the e-unit before the locomotive started to move. This would also hold true for more modern locomotives with mechanical e-units in them.
High voltage needed...true, no doubt, but in the end the LW is guilty of waaay too much start voltage. This the third one I've had experience with, and they were all bunny rabbits. As such, they are good for high draw locomotives or passenger consists...or power supplies for use with modern regulatory systems; ie. TMCC Legacy, or DCS.
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