Setting up the Thomas set

You just need to have 18v going to the track which is what the plug in transformer does but you can use any tranformer you want. The remote talks to the engine but you can't run the engine without the remote.     Yes. You can by the wire that will make a section of track a powered track.  Power wire; 6-12053    Hope this helps.

Read this thread. It should answer some of your questions.

took too long to type and get links,

so this is in addition to above

you have the new remote control Thomas set. that controller will only control that Thomas. I would not try to run any other engine with that walwart.  that walwart gives constance power to the track.

read more here;

https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/9032649517623233

and here;

https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/9173459986482855

That is correct.  The Thomas remote control set is designed to control only that one Thomas locomotive with its designated controller; not other locomotives (which do not have the same, and required, internal electronic components to receive the distinctive signal sent to Thomas).

The wall pack with that set sends a constant voltage to the track and that voltage is not adjustable via the wall pack.  The speed adjustments to Thomas, and other features such as whistle, sounds, etc., operate via signals sent from the handheld controller.

However, you can operate Thomas on any layout and with any transformer that will feed a constant 18 volts (give or take) to the track, bearing in mind that any other locomotives on that same track will NOT be controlled by the Thomas handheld.

Future releases of Thomas Friends (Percy, James, Diesel, etc.), if and when they come, will each have their own distinctive and color-coded controllers--a green controller for Percy, for example, a red one for James, a black one for Diesel, and so forth.

All

Thanks for the input!  I need to get this correct because I have to explain to wife and older daughters (not train buffs) who'll do the shopping and assembly.  I'm 5 days post-op from spinal fusion and not in much condition to do anything; in fact, that's why I picked up a power master so we could run conventional with my CAB-1 on carpet central.  The crappy basement layout is on hold pending my return to health.

So, it appears I only need the Fastrack Power Wire.  I connect that to the terminal track and the other end to the Power Master.  I connect the Power Master to my BW-80 modern transformer or Post War transformer and the, obviously, connect that to 110V.

With this set up, to run Thomas, I use the CAB-1 to crank up the voltage to 18V and then use the Thomas Remote Controller to run him.  For other engines, I just use the CAB-1 to control track voltage.

Sound accurate?

Yes - that's accurate. Thomas listens only to his own remote control - well actually - any and all Thomas remotes: if you have two remote Thomi, and two remote controllers, they will both respond to whichever remote is being used - or if both are, get very confused . . . . 

 BTW - Thomas not only rusn on AC or DC, but more importantly, on lower voltages than 18V - anything above about 12 V seems to be sufficient.  Some people use a variable supply - I'm using a CW-80 around the Christmas tree this year instead of his power pack - and I run track power only up to 13-14 volts.  The lower voltage keeps his top speed with the remote under control - so there will be fewer "accidents" when three-year-old Casey Jones decides to go for the land speed record.

Why is the new Thomas & Friends O-gauge set priced lower than the older set without the remote control and sounds?  Charles Ro, for example, has the new set priced at $124 and the old set at $149.  Trainworld/Trainland has the new set listed at $119 and the old set at $172.  Is this a matter of quality or availability?

the new thomas set does not have a transformer and two less pieces of stright track. it also does not come with the diorama and 3 people.

This one took me much longer to solve, mainly due to it also being my first exposures to FasTrack and a Power Master (as well as being on percocet and flexerol following back surgery earlier this week). 

After stewing about it, I realized I could just disconnect the wires leading to the powerpack plug, then connect the new set of wires, and lead them out from underneath the track's roadbed.  That way, I could use multiple power sources since the set's terminal track has a special connector for the power pack.

But, I figured at some point, this thing wil expand, so I put the set's piece away and bought a whole new terminal track with adapter wire.  Connected that to the Power Master, the Power Master to my RW, and she worked.

My Grandpa would've loved running his Post War engines with the CAB-1.  It was a new world meets old world moment when I ran his old 2033 UP Alco's with the CAB-1.

Nothing sexy, just a carpet loop around the true.  I do like the fast track compared with laying foam roadbed and rubber ties by hand. 

I often wonder what my Dad would have thought of today's technology.  I know he would have liked the sound, and the cruise, but I'm not sure about the remotes.  He would have been facinated with the technologies, anyway.

The great thing about today's toy trains is the range of technology.  I have a few semi-scale engines with command along with a few Williams engines.  I can see why people interested in really modeling RR operations benefit from command.  But, I'm still more of a loop runner, and for that, the durable Williams engines do great, and now I can run them with my CAB-1. 

I think my grandfather would be all-in for the technology features.  He worked for Cleveland Electric Illuminating for 47 years.  I don't remember exactly what he did, but I do remember seeing his HIGH SCHOOL physics and electricity textbooks with materials that I was studying in college. 

I don't really know why, but I can tell you that if I was only going to buy one set, the new Remote Control set would definitely be the one I would go for.  A couple of kids who have visited our office since we had one operating there would likely readily agree.