Transformer for basic train set

Lionel 1033 or 1044

Mark transformers are plentiful and cheap.

@Arthur P. Bloom posted:

Lionel 1033 or 1044

YES... these are ideal as they have the 0-11 volts U-B posts for running K-Line & Williams trains that go too fast on the 5-6 volts starting point of many transformers.

Bill, just a word of warning... K-Line at one time made a DC only powered train set. It was a Southern Pacific S-2 diesel switcher with a single motor truck. This locomotive had NO circuit board to covert the AC power of a normal transformer to DC current. That set came with a DC power pack. The vast majority of S-2 switchers were dual motored engines with the e-unit circuit board so they could be run with an AC transformer like the Lionel 1033.

Their steam engine was also a single motored engine, but that came with the e-unit circuit board.

So for this particular SP S-2 diesel engine - if this is what you have - you'll need a DC power pack (see below*). OR you'll need to buy a basic K-Line (or a Lionel one will work) e-unit circuit board and wire that into the locomotive. OR if you can find one, Lionel at one time made a conversion box for running their line of DC powered large scale trains with a typical Lionel transformer.

If you are electrically inclined, you can also make your own conversion box, which is what I've done using a Lionel 1033 transformer, for the two voltage choices to the track. I can run my layout on either AC or DC current. Lionel at one time made a bunch of small light weight plastic bodied steam locos that were DC only. Rather than install an e-unit circuit board, I'd rather add more weight to the chassis for better running, hence my decision to have the choice of DC power to the track.

*One more note: DC power packs that come with HO train sets will work, but they don't have much amperage to them. So you'll be able to run the engine and maybe a single lighted caboose without tripping the circuit breaker of the power pack. The small black box with orange/red handle "Tyco" type DC power packs are very common, but suffer from the same high low minimal voltage to the track that many Lionel transformers do. The small Bachmann power pack is much more sensitive on the low side. Again, not much reserve power, but it'll run your train a lot better than the Tyco style power pack. I know all this because I've experimented with them.

Lionel postwar 1033 or LW if you want to add a few accssories.

Thanks for the suggestions.  So far between posts and emails the 1033 and LW are the favorites.  I know of one place that sells rebuilt 1033s so that could work.  I am a little surprised nothing more modern has made the list so far.

@brianel. Thank you for the warning.  I think I've run the loco using my transformers, but it has been years.  I do have a couple of DC power packs, so I will test things out both ways before I make the final commitment. 

Just make sure circuit breaker works if you get an old one.

I’m just the opposite on older transformers. I prefer the newer units on the market regardless of manufacture. More safety built into them especially if youngsters are using them.

If it is infact AC, the basic k-line transformer can be had for under $20 including shipping.