Saw actual production sample of the new ZW! WOW!

Not to jack the thread but was curious why we can't take pictures at York?

OH LAWDY NOW YOU GONE AND DONE IT!!!

Jerry

The new ZW IS impressive!

NICE, but cannot afford it - will stick with my Z-4000's.

Besides, I am a digital-meter man! 

Because the TCA is a double secret probation organization. Instead of promoting the hobby and letting everyone share what can be found at the York meet, they choose to keep it a secret from the world. There are plenty of threads on this subject if you do a search. I've never been to York and have not joined the TCA and see no reason to, if I can't see what I might be getting into.

Here's a shock:  Lionel has posted pictures in....(wait for it).... their CATALOG!!!

Crazy... I know.

Jon 

It is difficult to get down the aisles at York, would really be frustrating waiting for numerous folks taking pictures.

Ah, well that makes sense. I can't go for this one but will be there in Oct!

But for an Old Fart, with a poor memory, I like to take pictures of stuff so I can make sure I get that item I like and or document some creative things that I can use in my layout in the works.

Dennis (PRR2818), just want to explain. Boomer is correct in saying that the rule is an Eastern Division rule. The reason why the Eastern Div. has this rule is because of the York meet is classified as a "meet." If the York Meet were to be classified as a trade show everyone who sells something there would have to pay PA sales tax.

I used to think like many that it was a silly rule but now that I know the reason behind it I agree with the rule besides the fact that picture taking would make the aisles even harder to negotiate.

I didn't even know Lionel was coming out with a new ZW. I guess they are trying to compete with the Z-4000. I look forward to seeing some pictures of it (I probably can't afford one) but I can wait. I look at the hobby as an enjoyable journey and not a race but to each his own.

I was also impressed by the new ZW but I didn't see a price tag. Does anyone have an idea on the price?

The rendering in the catalog doesn't exactly look like the finished product.The first thing that grabs your attention is the size.It's wider,taller and deeper than the classic postwar ZW.

I would of paid no attention since I already have 3 Z4000's but this thing is so cool.

I cannot wait for it to finally be delivered. I ordered 2 of them.

Actually, there was a wonderfully nice gentlemen -- perhaps in his late 60's or early 70's -- taking pictures of the Lionel layout about mid-afternoon, snapping away to his heart's content with a compact digital camera.  Love to see folks embracing new technology!!!  He was having such a wonderful time doing it, I didn't have the heart to tell him it was "against the rules".  It's such an archaic rule to begin with... and any defense I've heard to date is so lame, I won't even waste my breath responding.

Oh yeah... and to top it off, crowds were so thin yesterday (Thursday), this nice fellow wasn't causing one bit of commotion snapping a few pictures.  Best part of the story was that nobody bothered him at all...  and he went on his merry way with some nice memories... no harm done.

As for the new ZW-L, it's definitely huge.  But as much as I like the analog dials on it, I prefer the look-and-feel of the Z4000 that you could have picked up at York for $380 at many booths.

David

P.S.  Comments about photographing vendor displays are not meant to be anti-TCA... just highlighting how some things change with the times, and TCA needs to adapt accordingly before some of the rules become down-right laughable and completely irrelevant... especially considering the multi-function nature of many modern hand-held devices.

Truer words have never been typed. You are really missing something if you don't join the TCA and go to York. Put it on the bucket list.

It is good to read and learn about happenings over at York and other places where good things are shown.

Yes, I am one of those digital camera snappers as well. I usually stay out of the way; memory is not what it used to be.

...As for the new ZW-L, it's definitely huge.  But as much as I like the analog dials on it, I prefer the look-and-feel of the Z4000 that you could have picked up at York for $380 at many booths.,,

When you think about how much you're paying per watt for a power supply, the best bang for buck is still the 180 brick at a mere $99.00 retail, $75 street price .  

The 620 watt ZW-L at $799.00 retail, $700.00 street price is not even close.

Especially so if you're running legacy and hiding this beast under the table.

Joe  

Although I'm not a TCA member, this sounds like the lamest excuse ever...

Rusty

I've had my ZW-L on order for many months now, $659.  I got to play with one of the two Lionel had at their booth yesterday.  Heavy, and the handles have a great feel.  Not plasticky at all.  A real quality feel to it.  No way I'd smuge this up with another brand.  The ZW-L will fit right in.

The one thing I have never seen publisized or published is if you can run Conventional Engines with it? in other words with a CAB2?  That is; does it have built in "POWER MASTERS" like the present ZW?  has anyone heard anything contrary to that?

Fredstrains

Fred, my Cab 1 and Cab 2 both control my new ZW with the 180W bricks.  There's no reason to suspect the ZW-L won't be controllable the same way.

I hope I can assign it's handles TRN numbers in the double digits.  That way I can free up 1-4 for actual, OMG, here it comes, 'Lash-Ups'.

UL is the reason for the decrease in wattage.  It's all still in there, just not accessible by owners.  "Hey Dale!"

Yes you still can run conventional. Marty said  there is a switch on it to change several settings along these lines. Maybe Marty can elaborate when he gets time

No Idea about the ID's

Rusty, I know this is just the way the system does the quotes, but although I am not currently a member, I plan on being one and going in Oct. The quote was from another person.

Sorry, Dennis.  Thought I snagged the original post.

Rusty

"Under the table?"

Does it have the ability to control the throttles remotely as the Z4000 remote does for the MTH transformer?

Yes, but not in an identical form.  Details on how (or if) it might differ from the previous TMCC capable ZWs are not widespread (unless perhaps discussed at the Legacy User's Group meeting).

Previous TMCC capable ZWs had the following behavior when connected to a command base (with respect to where the handle is physically set - it needed to be physically set to a voltage to be command-able, it would not produce an output voltage if the handles were "off")

1) outer handles would start at zero volts, spinning the knob would increase up to whatever voltage the handles were set.

2) inner handles would start at maximum (wherever handle was set) and you would need to spin the knob down to reduce the voltage.  Might be handy for accessories, but not handy if you are trying to power 4 conventional loops with the remote.  (but not terrible for smaller motorized units, like if you have maybe a handcar or something similar)

Hopefully the switches Chris mentions Marty mentioning to him may be related to the above.  I think I recall Marty and myself being at the Lionel table last April and asking about the possibility of the above behavior being changed (or user selectable).  Will be really cool if that did get implemented.  I'm sure once Marty recovers from York, he will chime in.   He's probably typing up the results of the LUG meeting as we read!

-Dave

The placard on the Lionel table had June crossed out with July written on it, so it is probably just a little longer than May.

-Dave

That Z-W was humongous...it was placed within a clear plastic case with a zillion airholes for heat release.  Hopefully, we will be able to photograph in the future.  I take many photos at Auction Houses after asking permission.  I have a nice reference on my computer for future purchases.  Possibly, the man observed taking pictures was the Official York Photograher, and Forum member, Ron Morris, who is allowed to photograph at York.  As for Coasterp....Waaaah!!!!!

<<That Z-W was humongous...it was placed within a clear plastic case with a zillion airholes for heat release.>>

That was one of two that were present. The one you mentioned was in a case because it was being used to power four loops.  All day long. 

The other ZW-L was on another table and wasn't powered up.

While it is larger than any previous ZW I don't believe it requires as large a footprint as another Z.