Transformer for kids

David, I may have a Lionel CW80 laying around somewhere. If I can find it you can have it. If you're looking for something with a little more oomph you might try a Lionel LW, they're small and you can usually find them pretty cheap, $50-75. I have picked up a couple for $35 but you don't often see one that cheap.

 

Jerry

TCA 90-31550

Member of the Brotherhood Of The Crappy Basement Layout

I'd certainly be willing to give it a try!

I used the same set-up for my kids, and for kid's layouts that my boys and I used to put up at our local show.

I used 1033 and 1044 transformers, each mounted to a small board, and set up with a #91 adjustable electromagnetic circuit breaker. The breaker lights up when it trips, and must be manually reset.

I put the Polar Express  train in the local elementary school at Christmas time for 1st or 2nd graders. Use the MTH Z750 with the brick  and put a screw into the speed controller  to prevent racing and wrecks. Students play with the train over a 3 week period and no problems. Go in on Fridays and do maintenance and clean the track.  Have ceramic villages and ceramic people on the train board and so far no breakage and all the pieces come back. A 7 year old girl does the display work as I use toilet bowl wax to anchor the pieces to the Styrofoam. For 2012 will put the train outside in front of the kitchen and let it operate if it does not rain.  I do take the cars and engine in at 9:00 p.m.and things have a way of riding off into the sunset.  Had no problems last year when I did it when school was on vacation.

That's not a used toilet wax ring you're working with?  The stuff I learn on this forum daily ....

The Lionel CW80 is very easy for kids to use and, as mentioned, can be found cheap.  I picked one up for $40.  The MTH Z controllers can be found at good deals too and are great transformers that are also easy for little ones to use.  I got a Z1000 here on the forum for only $50.