Transformer Dilemma!

If we could actually read the text on the powerpacks, we could probably tell you.

What do the labels on the two packs actually say?

Left side trans:

Direct plug-in class 2 transformer

Model: JK-16101-SA

I/P: 120VAC 60Hz 19W

O/P 16VAC 100mA

P/N: 02A-166

Right side trans:

Leader Electronics Inc.

Class 2 Transformer

Model No: 410905002CO

Input: 120VAC 60Hz 8.2W

Output: 9VDC @500mA

Both are UL  and CSA approved

gunrunnerjohn, this is what's on each trans.

I have one of the same rheostats and the transformer that goes with it says:

I/P: 120VAC 60Hz 77W

O/P: 18VAC 3A

P/N: 610-2885-020

I'm no electrician, but I'm not sure either of those is adequate to power your rheostat. I can send a pic if you need one. 

We can ask you a few questions to get you started.  With that info, you can help yourself and answer your own questions, giving you the satisfaction of learning some stuff about electricity.

1. Does the train you intend to run require AC, DC or will it run on either?

2. How much current does the train draw, with three passenger cars (with lighting)? You can determine this by measuring the amperage it uses when running on another transformer.

3. The A-C transformer that you have puts out one tenth of an amp. That's enough to run a few lamps. Probably not powerful enough to run the train.

4. The D-C supply that you have puts out one half of an amp.  Probably not enough to run the train, but without knowing the answer to question #2, I can't be sure.

Since the speed controller says that it requires 3 amps, I would imagine that you can understand that one tenth of an amp, or one half an amp, is not adequate.  I say "speed controller" because I am not aware of what Lionel calls that device you have. I suspect that it is not a rheostat, but some sort of electronic speed controller. Do you have the paperwork that came with it? Can you tell us why you think it's a rheostat?

That's not a rheostat. It's an AC track power controller, AC only in and AC only out, from a 40 watt(output) power brick/controller contained in starter sets(draws 77 watts from the 120v AC mains).

Here's the other half of it:

Thanks for the clarification, Rob. Since I haven't bought any Lionel electrical power items since 1972, I was not exactly aware of what that controller actually was, but I was pretty sure it wasn't a rheostat.

I see the answers are in, and clearly neither of those is the matching unit for your controller.

It is still useful, though, and can be powered with the output of just about any conventional transformer.