I have always had lionchief train sets which all come with individual remotes.I am looking to by my first Legacy 2-8-0 lionel steam locomotive sku#2231110.Can anyone recommend a transformer to operate this loco? Thank you👍
Don P.
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What is your budget for this transformer?
The Postwar KW provides great power output and is pretty cheap. Just be sure to add TVS protection and better circuit protection to the power output.
Don,
If you prefer new, and Lionel, there are two reasonable choices, and for newbies, one unreasonable one:
1.) CW (as long as it's the latest version) -- Basic AC unit, good for one train at a time. Basic circuit protection. Good starter. 80 Watts of power.
2.) GW -- More power than the CW, with an eye to expansion in the future. Because it has a separate power source (the PH-180) this can easily be used with the controller (for conventional control of classic engines, or with the throttle lever all the way up, command control, like LC +, LC 2.0, TMCC or Legacy) or without the controller (for command control only). Since it can supplies 180 Watts it can be used to run several trains at a time, if they're command controlled. The PH-180 has very good circuit protection so it makes this option a good one.
3.) ZW-L -- Excellent unit for a large layout with many trains. 620 Watts of power. Best left to the serious operator though because they're hard to find for under $900.00 presently, which is why I consider them unreasonable for newbies.
There are other choices, like those from MTH. The MTH Z-1000, delivering 100 Watts, is a good starter for example. Some folks say it's better than the Lionel CW.
Mike
Hi Mike,Thanks for your reply and a great presentation.I am extremely impressed and grateful for your effort to help.I think the (CW) would be the one for me,as I will only be running the one loco.Could you tell me if I would need an additional type of remote to have access to all the features that the Lionel 2231110 legacy 2-8-0 steam locomotive has to offer,as this is the new loco I want to buy along with the new (CW) transformer and will I need a special piece of fastrack to make all this work?I'm an old school kinda guy and all I've been running for the last four years are lionchief sets,with remotes.This is a step up for me and any advice you can tell me would be great!Thank you for taking the time to help.Very grateful!!👍👍Don...Have a great day!
@H1000 posted:What is your budget for this transformer?
The Postwar KW provides great power output and is pretty cheap. Just be sure to add TVS protection and better circuit protection to the power output.
Hi H1000,I want to thank you for your help and have decided to purchase the lionel(CW)transformer.I have just the one loco to run and the price is right,for me.Thanks again for your time and expertise,Don👍👍
@Don poitras posted:Hi Mike,Thanks for your reply and a great presentation.I am extremely impressed and grateful for your effort to help.I think the (CW) would be the one for me,as I will only be running the one loco.Could you tell me if I would need an additional type of remote to have access to all the features that the Lionel 2231110 legacy 2-8-0 steam locomotive has to offer,as this is the new loco I want to buy along with the new (CW) transformer and will I need a special piece of fastrack to make all this work?I'm an old school kinda guy and all I've been running for the last four years are lionchief sets,with remotes.This is a step up for me and any advice you can tell me would be great!Thank you for taking the time to help.Very grateful!!👍👍Don...Have a great day!
Don,
To get all of Legacy's advanced features you would need a CAB-2/BASE-2 Command Set (#990). These are apparently out of production, due to a shortage of electronic parts, and may not be manufactured in the future.
You can get one used, or "New Old Stock" (NOS) even, but because of the shortage they're going for ridiculously big bucks presently.
Alternative 2 is to get a CAB-1L/BASE-1L Command Set. This will handle most of the Legacy features. This could also be problematic since the BASE-1L is also out of production (although CAB-1L is not). Used units are also going up in price too.
Alternative 3 is to get a CAB-1/BASE-1 Command Set. This will deliver some of the Legacy features. This one has been out of production for quite some time, but is still relatively easy to find used because many were made over the years.
Alternative 4 is to use Bluetooth with your smartphone, and an app, assuming you have an recent Legacy engine (approximately 2017-present). This too will also deliver only some of the Legacy features.
The only known path that Lionel suggests if you want to buy new is not yet in production, and it involves the brand new BASE-3 with either an existing CAB-2, or existing or new CAB-1L, or a smartphone with app. Unfortunately BASE-3 is not going to be ready until late 2022 at the earliest.
Mike
Hey Mike,Well,that doesn't sound too promising. The only reason I wanted to buy this loco,is to be able to use all the features.I guess I'll stick with my Good ole lionchief sets and save a few bucks too.Thank you for all the research you have done on my behalf.There's a place in HEAVEN one day ,for people such as yourself👍Thank you big time,Don
