What type of transforme(s) do you operate and for what purpose?

Layout uses two 275 W P/W ZW transformers to drive two layout loops and a 1033 90W transformer for the lighting. This power supply combo can handle anything conventional.

On my home layout (14x39) , there are four power districts for my TIU.  I have:

(1) MRC Pure Power Dual

(2) Lionel Powerhouse 135s

(1) Z500 (aux power for TIU)

(1) CW-80 powering lights and switches

I use a ZW-L for all loops (2 main, all sidings, and all (19) dz2500 switch machines)

Z (250 watt), and  (1) 180 watt brick for all accessories.

My small layout is powered by a single postwar ZW. I don't have any operating accessories set up. Just a few parked statically right now. When I get around to wiring them, I will add a Z.

Each power terminal has (or will have) a postwar Lionel #91 adjustable electromagnetic circuit breaker.
That includes the "B" and "C" terminals (switches and uncoupling/unloading track), and will include the terminals on the "Z".

This is what I've done in the past

I'm in the building stage with plans to use:

5 - PH180/Legacy PM combinations for track power.  PMs there for occasional conventional running.

1 - ZWC with PH135s for accessory power.  Provides multiple voltage connections.

1 - Z1000 brick to power DZ-2500 switch machines.

2 - Z500 bricks for TIUs

We have two loops on our 6x8 layout.  I use a 180 watt Lionel brick for each loop.  I like these units because the trains seem to run better and more smoothly than they do with the postwar ZW.  We also use two Lionel 135 watt bricks for accessory and switch power.  All the bricks have a power master so as to facilitate conventional running on both loops and, for the accessories, fine tuning the power that they receive and that the switch tracks receive.  The tracks also have TVS protection.

While this layout is more modest than others we have had, I find that these modern power sources reduce operating issues and help the layout run flawlessly for hours at a time when the kids are using it.

Lionel PowerHouse 180 for trains (with Legacy)

Cheap Bachmann transformers  for accessories.

On my small DCS equipped 9'x6' layout I have one Z-1000 for track power with two Z-1000s and two Z-750s for lighted buildings/accessories. I find the single Z-1000 easily handles up to four engines (two on each mainline) or three engines and a lighted passenger train. I rarely run over 15 smph and don't use smoke unless I have a guest, which is not very often. 

I have a 7' x 16' layout with two loops.  I use a MTH Z4000 and DCS control.  I also use TMCC used to operate a few Lionel locomotives. 

8 x 8 with one Z-1000 for the trains and a Lionel ZW 275 for accessories. Running DCS and TMCC. Recently added a Schuco Disneyland Monorail set (vintage) that will require an MRC DC transformer. 

PW ZW (PMs attached) and PWC ZW (4- 135 W Bricks) to run trains plus 2 KWs set to various voltages for accessories plus quite a few wall warts for SC-2s, Miller Signs, etc. Here's how this all looks on my layout installed below train level and out of sight from viewing area in train room:

On my 5x9 Lionel Dealer Display layout I use a classic ZW. Two loops run by the A and D handles and lights and accessories run with the B and C dials.

Thinking about incorporating another smaller transformer (maybe one of my LWs) for separating out a few of the accessories (barrel loader and cattle platform) that really require fine tuning the voltage for efficient operation.

JHF,

  The power station pictured below powers the new Train Room, minus one ZW, that runs the Living Room Christmas layout, and is kept with it.  Acquired over many years I have most of the power I need, would still like to add a ZW-L some time in the future.

PCRR/Dave

STANGTRAIN,

Like your power station, nice set up!

Since I run Conventional, My Main Power source is the Z4k- due to the remote option. I also have a Rowi 400+watt unit and an MRC 135 W Pure sine wave transformer for my workbench test track.

3 ZWs power my pre/postwar O Gauge layout.

2 KWs are slated for my pre/postwar O-27 layout.

6 Zs & Vs for the prewar layout.

I have numerous LWs, TWs, 1033s, 1034s Rs, RWs and more that I use for test tracks, Christmas displays or whatever.

I have a RWX, Type B, Type T, AC1803000 and a few more that are curiosities/display items that I do not actively use.

There are more that I have burred away and forgotten about...

For my new layout under construction it will be a Z-4000 to power 2 loops and a yard and a CW-80 for accessories and multiple wall warts as needed.

I'm a run-it-on-the-floor guy. I use z-500s and 1000s for loops, and to power the DCS Explorer . On two loops I use the MTH 40 style controllers because I run subways a lot and without full DCS the only way to get them in auto mode is with buttons. For accessories I use my vintage Lionel's.

Two fixed voltage 180 watt PoHos linked to TPCs as railpower, one for each Power District.  A 12 VDC wall wart as Tortoise switch motor power with VDC Power Pak as backup.  A pair of variable VAC units as lighting/accessory power.

Wall mounted Power Center located underneath for TMCC /Conventional handheld remote operation above:

Current setup

CW40 for inner O27 loop

CW80 for outer FT loop

Lionel 1.8 Amp Accessory transformer for well ... accessories

Woodland Scenics power supply for Just Plug system lights

Moving towards

KW for inner and outer loops

CW40 for accessories (I may eventually use the CW80 for this, but I need to fix the fan which is failing).

Woodland Scenics power supply for Just Plug system lights

4- PH180's, one for each channel on my DCS TIU. I also have the layout wired old school with each of my four sections wire conventional with MTH 750's with controlers. MY lighting is also done in sections using several small 18volt DC 1amp transformers.

Deuce posted:

Current setup

CW40 for inner O27 loop

CW80 for outer FT loop

Lionel 1.8 Amp Accessory transformer for well ... accessories

Woodland Scenics power supply for Just Plug system lights

 

Moving towards

KW for inner and outer loops

CW40 for accessories (I may eventually use the CW80 for this, but I need to fix the fan which is failing).

Woodland Scenics power supply for Just Plug system lights

In case you need it .......... https://ogrforum.com/...98#45918754139566598

I asked a similar question a few moths back and attached the link to the forum post below. This may also answer some of your questions.

I've been running 1 MTH Z4000 for over 15 years. I'll admit, I usually don't run the trains more than once a week and usually for about an hour. Just enough to satisfy my itch or usually when my Grandson is over. Sometimes not even for weeks at a time.

My layout is a 13' x 24' around the room layout (2 interconnected main lines with a folded loop) with an inner island reversing loop and small yard and a few sidings. I run DCS (1 TIU & no AIU), and Legacy. I have some signal issues here and there, due to earlier DCS misunderstandings never corrected, but overall it runs fine.

Lately I've been running 2 large passenger engines, a 4-6-4 & 2-8-4 with 6 lighted passenger cars each, on one level loop. The second loop 3% grade, I'm double heading 2 N&W Y6B's pulling a 30 car coal drag plus caboose with a Y6B pushing. Smoke units running, but not all the time on all trains. The transformer rarely shows more than 4 Amps each side. So far so good. Check the link below.

https://ogrforum.com/...05#77311805176522205

Have fun!

Joe

Z4000 for DCS 22 x 5.5 layout featuring 2 interconnected loops and 8 x 2.5 yard 

Z1000 for Legacy 12 x 5 layout

Z1000 for conventional 9 x 3.5 x 7 layout

CW40 for 5 foot bumper trolley run

Old HO transformer for street lights, accessories, etc.

Woodland Scenics power plugs for JustPlug lighting in all of our houses

(Two) PH 135's lower left, paralleled to the inputs of the two silver box TPC 400's (Track Power Controllers).   Upper left, there are (2)  IC Controls BPC (Block Power Controllers), tan boxes, above the right PH135. There are (8) track circuits, (8) fuses from the (2) BPC, upper left near the wire tray.   Large grey box upper left is a 12/24 volt control transformer, wired 12 volts for all accessory power.  Original TMCC Command base is lower right.  Above the command base are  accessory fuses, powered by the large grey box upper left.  (6) boxes, picture center, are  IC Controls ASC's  Accessory Switch Controllers (All switches are remote control from the TMCC  Cab1 handheld/Command base.  Right edge of picture are (4)  Isolate Rail, (Depotronics), control boards for crossing gates.  

   I still remember    

1PW KW....runs everything except some LED lights on a 6V wall-wart.

Bob

25'X14' layout.  (Actually measured it today; have been estimating).  8 loops, 2 to each channel of TIU.  Modified Star wiring, no districts.  Powered by 2 MPI 650-36 isolation transformers.  Track accessories powered by Z1000 brick.  Everything on either a 7.5 amp or 10 amp Airpax circuit breaker.

I have on Z-1000 to power my track and TIU, I have another Z-1000 to power my switches. I uses the 14 V accessory output on my Z-1000s to power the few accessories I have.

10 x 20 layout

2  ZW's power trains

4  28 V  CT transformers provide 14 VAC powering switch machines/controllers, accessories, AC lighting, AC to DC converters

1  12 VDC  33 amp power supply powers LED lighting, DC to DC converters

4  Z500 power TIU's and 18 VAC accessories

1  Z1000 powers trolleys

One ZW L on the mainline serving 4 channels of TIU.

3 Z 4000 serving branchlines and trolley lines.

6 600 watt Malibu transformers serving lighting and animations. 

2 Lionel 180w bricks (one for each mainline),  RW for building lights, Tyco HO for TT power and a ZW for backup if one of the bricks goes bad.  Also a Lionel 135w brick for signal/switch power, not in use at this time.  Use TPC400's on each mainline.  Trains are 10 to 20 cars long with 1 or 2 powered engines with 1 or more dummy engines.   

Although my layout is small, I use two post-war ZW transformers. Throttle "D" to run the trains.  Throttle "B" & "C" to power turnouts and RCS tracks.  Throttle "A" to power operating accessories that need hands on adjustment.  The second ZW powers lights, operating accessories that don't need attention.  Two throttles are left for future use.  One will be for a trolley for sure.  

Ditto.  Two Postwar ZWs run my layout which covers half my basement with two mainlines and two yards.  No problem.

Dennis

12'X16' layout with 2 main lines. Postwar ZW powers both mains, a Type Z powers the lights and operating accessories.

2 180 Watt Lionel bricks for track power. 

ZW for all accessories

LW that powers the AIU-->Switches, Uncouplers, and other operating accessories.

1033 for my trolley

Lionel ZW   A+D for track   B+C for switches and Accessories

 Aurora Model Motoring  18 v DC for accessories

Bachmann Big Hauler Toy Transformer set at 3.8 V DC for signals

Tandy 9.6 v DC Wall Wart for Signals and Accessories

Steve

7 PW  ZW's

Small layout 2 loop tracks dcs/conv 2 postwar ZWs 1 for each loop and lighting.

stangtrain posted:

PW ZW (PMs attached) and PWC ZW (4- 135 W Bricks) to run trains plus 2 KWs set to various voltages for accessories plus quite a few wall warts for SC-2s, Miller Signs, etc. Here's how this all looks on my layout installed below train level and out of sight from viewing area in train room:

You gotta be a Licensed electrician.....Lol

Ray Lombardo posted:

While this layout is more modest than others we have had, I find that these modern power sources reduce operating issues and help the layout run flawlessly for hours at a time when the kids are using it.

Thanks for your contributions everyone.

Ray those are great layouts to be sure.  Mo powuh, mo bettuh ( intentional phonetics)