Transformer Recommendations

If you end up with an MTH 2.0 or 3.0 engine I would suggest using an MTH DCS remote with a Z500 brick. It's simple just plug and play. That's what I use and I have 60 feet of Gargraves track going around my living room. The whole DCS setup can be bought on eBay for $50.00 with free shipping.

Hello FOXER55

If this was me, I would buy the biggest transformer you can afford but in this case I feel that 50 watts is not enough as you might was to expand your layout with more cars and engines in future.  I would go at LEAST 100 watts or better. MTH makes a Z1000 "100" watts or MRC dual so on. But again that is up to you.............

Tiffany

MTH Z-1000. 

Since you are considering MTH engines I would get the MTH Z-1000(100 watt transformer) as it has enough power for almost any small to medium size passenger train with lights. Also should be able to handle 2 powered engines with Z-1000. A Z-500 may trip the breaker with; 1) 3 lighted cars and 2 powered engines, 2) 4 lighted cars and 1 powered engine near top speed.

FYI; drop the last zero from the MTH number for the transformer and that is your power rating; example, Z-500 is 50 watts, Z-750 is 75 watts, Z-1000 is 100 watts, Z-4000 is 400 watts.

Lee Fritz

I would go with the Z1000. Running an engine and lit passenger cars pulls some watts. Better to have a bit more then not enough. The Z4000 is a top of the line transformer at 400 watts but if you are only going to do trains at Christmas and no permanent layout down the road it is not worth spending that extra money...........Paul.

Lionel LW transformer at 125 Watts.  I use it on my kids layout.  Runs one train with whistle/horn function and plenty of power for F3 and some passenger cars.  It has an 18w fixed terminal for powering switches, and has a pair of 14 volt fixed terminals for other accessories.  It doesn't take up a lot of space like a big ZW does, and it also has a light up dial which is great for running trains in the dark.  Best of all you can pick up a nice one for about $35 these days.  

Train Geek

I'll also recommend the Z-1000 from MTH. I have 4 of them (and a Z-500 from MTH and a CW80 from Lionel). Some are new, the oldest is about 15 years old. Works great. Never an issue with them. One, if not THE, best "small" transformers on the market.

Tiffany posted:

Hello FOXER55

If this was me, I would buy the biggest transformer you can afford but in this case I feel that 50 watts is not enough as you might was to expand your layout with more cars and engines in future.  I would go at LEAST 100 watts or better. MTH makes a Z1000 "100" watts or MRC dual so on. But again that is up to you.............

Tiffany

Tiffany,

Thanks.  You're thinking like me - looking ahead at scaleability which is exactly why I'm asking this question.

You guys and gals are great!  Looks like there is pretty much a consensus here for the MTH Z1000 and it can be had for a tolerable price even new.  When you think about it, 100W at around 5 amps is not that much energy.  It would be equivalent to something like 5 X 20 lamps on a single line and I have more than that in many places in my home.  

The MTH Z-1000 I have has a 6 amp breaker on it, plus it has an accessory output on it as well. 100 watts is a good amount of power for most O gauge layouts.

The Lionel CW-80 won't work(output signal confuses the MTH PS-2 engines) with most PS-2 engines from MTH, plus that transformer is listed around $20 to $30 more then the MTH Z-1000 at most hobby stores or internet venders. Don't know how the CW-80 does with MTH PS-3 engines.

Lee Fritz

If you end up with an MTH 2.0 or 3.0 engine I would suggest using an MTH DCS remote 

I believe that the poster is alluding to a DCS Remote Commander set, MTH #50-1033 as seen here on MTH's web site. Paired with an MTH Z-brick (no controller necessary), this will control many of the DCS features of any PS2 or PS3 engine you would choose to purchase. All of MTH's newer Ready-to-Run (RTR) sets come with the DCS Remote Commander, as well as a Z500 brick transformer. The Z500 will provide ample power for your holiday layout.

Note that the DCS Remote Commander will operate only MTH PS2 or PS3 engines and not engines from any other manufacturer.

If you later expand your holiday layout, you can purchase an MTH Z4000 for more power and a full DCS set for additional capability. The Z500 could then be used to power either the TIU, or accessories or switch tracks.

Note also that, IMO, any MTH PS2 or PS3 engine is going to be a better performer and have more features than it's equivalent engine from K-Line.

Barry,

How many engines can be controlled by the DCS remote commander set? Can it control switches too?

Lee Fritz

Foxer55 posted:

... as well as just a few accessories.  

Perhaps obvious, but it's worth pointing out that the Z-1000's accessory output (a fixed-voltage) means your accessories do not fluctuate in voltage as you operate your train...or completely lose voltage  when you press the Direction button on the controller.  Depending on the accessory, this can be amusing or annoying.

The MTH Z- power supplies are a 2-part configuration with brick plus separate controller.  Some of the other transformers discussed above are completely integrated in one enclosure which is generally a larger footprint.  If you do go with the DCS Remote Commander, then you only need the brick (and the accessory voltage output is on the brick of the Z-1000).  For a Christmas layout where space is often an issue, this can be a benefit.  There is an "active" market for buying/selling "just" the controller part of the Z- transformers.

Train_Geek posted:

Lionel LW transformer at 125 Watts.  I use it on my kids layout.  Runs one train with whistle/horn function and plenty of power for F3 and some passenger cars.  It has an 18w fixed terminal for powering switches, and has a pair of 14 volt fixed terminals for other accessories.  It doesn't take up a lot of space like a big ZW does, and it also has a light up dial which is great for running trains in the dark.  Best of all you can pick up a nice one for about $35 these days.  

Train Geek

Hello Train-Geek.........

My favorite postwar transformer was the LW but its rating is wrong it really is 125 watts INPUT but the true OUTPUT is like 75 watts.  Ask the forum members who KNOW lionel postwar transformers as some members rebuild them for a living and they should know. The LW is a nice transformer for what it is ( I LIKED the lighted dial handle on it) it is cool to me.

Tiffany

Barry Broskowitz posted:

If you end up with an MTH 2.0 or 3.0 engine I would suggest using an MTH DCS remote 

I believe that the poster is alluding to a DCS Remote Commander set, MTH #50-1033 as seen here on MTH's web site. Paired with an MTH Z-brick (no controller necessary), this will control many of the DCS features of any PS2 or PS3 engine you would choose to purchase. All of MTH's newer Ready-to-Run (RTR) sets come with the DCS Remote Commander, as well as a Z500 brick transformer. The Z500 will provide ample power for your holiday layout.

Note that the DCS Remote Commander will operate only MTH PS2 or PS3 engines and not engines from any other manufacturer.

If you later expand your holiday layout, you can purchase an MTH Z4000 for more power and a full DCS set for additional capability. The Z500 could then be used to power either the TIU, or accessories or switch tracks.

Note also that, IMO, any MTH PS2 or PS3 engine is going to be a better performer and have more features than it's equivalent engine from K-Line.

 

Barry,

Would you recommend the same for a K-Line train/engine?  I'm about ready to plunk my money down for an MTH but one or two K-Lines keep popping up that catch my attention.  It seems there may be more rolling stock available for a K-Line GG1 but at a cost.  Time will tell which one I go for.

nice engines Doug, thanks for the videos

Tiffany posted:

Train_Geek posted:

Lionel LW transformer at 125 Watts.  I use it on my kids layout.  Runs one train with whistle/horn function and plenty of power for F3 and some passenger cars.  It has an 18w fixed terminal for powering switches, and has a pair of 14 volt fixed terminals for other accessories.  It doesn't take up a lot of space like a big ZW does, and it also has a light up dial which is great for running trains in the dark.  Best of all you can pick up a nice one for about $35 these days.  

Train Geek

Hello Train-Geek.........

My favorite postwar transformer was the LW but its rating is wrong it really is 125 watts INPUT but the true OUTPUT is like 75 watts.  Ask the forum members who KNOW lionel postwar transformers as some members rebuild them for a living and they should know. The LW is a nice transformer for what it is ( I LIKED the lighted dial handle on it) it is cool to me.

Tiffany

 

 

The poster was asking for a 'starter transformer' for a temporary Christmas layout.  You can't go wrong with the price on an LW.  If they expand to a 2nd track and add more accessories, they can always pick up a 2nd one.

Traingeek

Train_Geek posted:

Tiffany posted:

Train_Geek posted:

Lionel LW transformer at 125 Watts.  I use it on my kids layout.  Runs one train with whistle/horn function and plenty of power for F3 and some passenger cars.  It has an 18w fixed terminal for powering switches, and has a pair of 14 volt fixed terminals for other accessories.  It doesn't take up a lot of space like a big ZW does, and it also has a light up dial which is great for running trains in the dark.  Best of all you can pick up a nice one for about $35 these days.  

Train Geek

Hello Train-Geek.........

My favorite postwar transformer was the LW but its rating is wrong it really is 125 watts INPUT but the true OUTPUT is like 75 watts.  Ask the forum members who KNOW lionel postwar transformers as some members rebuild them for a living and they should know. The LW is a nice transformer for what it is ( I LIKED the lighted dial handle on it) it is cool to me.

Tiffany

 

 

The poster was asking for a 'starter transformer' for a temporary Christmas layout.  You can't go wrong with the price on an LW.  If they expand to a 2nd track and add more accessories, they can always pick up a 2nd one.

Traingeek

Hello Traingeek

That is true if the price is right and you want it by all means go for it !!!  

Tiffany