WHICH TRANSFORMER(s) ARE YOU USING?

I primarily use an MRC pure power dual. I also have an MTH Z1000.

One my prewar Std & O-Gauge layouts I used four Lionel Type Z (250 watt).

I have the :

 

Right-of-Way-Industries [ROWI] 480W transformer/power supply 

 

 

 MRC Pure power 130 for the test bench

 

2 Z4000 with the remote options.

That Right Of Way transformer was one of the better ones and rare now.  

Atlas 80 Watt Transformer and MTH Z750 Transformer and controller.  

ZW-C with 4- 180 watt bricks and a Z4000. PW ZW for lighting

ZW, Z, and 2 KW's. Planning on substituting a V for the 2 KW's as they are under utilized. For my purposes the 4 variable outputs between the KW's can be replaced by the 4 variables on the single V.

Purchased years ago from Davis Electronics in Ohio. Called the Max. Two 12 amp throttles. ROW's were impossible to find. MTH's Z4000 was a few years away and Lionel's ZW's were selling at a premium. This sold at the time for $800.00. A lot of money but everything else with power at that time sold for a premium as well. It has served me well for probably 20 years. The way it's built and the fact that the knobs haven't been turned in years nor the buttons pushed it should last another 20.

Two ZW's and a few CW-80's

ZW-c with 2 bricks (2more due in Dec).  Replaced ZW-275 + KW-180.

ZW-C with 180 bricks for accessories only. One side low voltage and the other higher voltage.

 

Separate 180 bricks for line 1 and 180 bricks for line 2.

 

Both lines 1 and 2 powered via TPC,s.

 

So far no fires

 

Larry

3 MTH Z-1000s, 1 MTH Z-500, 1 Lionel CW80.

 

I think the MTH Transformers are the best money can buy. Two of my Z1ks are about 15 years old and still function like the day they came out of the factory. 

2 MTH 4000's, 1 ZW (1950's) and KW (1950's) = replacing the power plugs to current standard and to ensure they phase properly.

Two MTH Z4000s and two Lionel 180 "bricks". 

None of the above.

 

I use 2 of these. There are three 20 amp supplies on each panel. They were custom done for the mall layout.

 

I actually have a third one, but I figure 120 amps worth is more than enough.

1 Z4000 on one, 1 ZW powering a Z1000 controller on the other, and a Z1000 for the Christmas under the tree layout.

Heck Elliot

I thought you would need the power company to put in a sub station for that lay out.

 

Larry

I run 3 Z4000, 2 ROW, one PW ZW with 4 180 bricks, one CW-80 for my bump and go trolley, Old ZW for powering switch machines, and a Malibu outdoor lighting transformer for 12 volt lighting circuits.

Nah Larry, If they were all running at capacity, the draw on line current would only be about 20A (just under). That's because the output is only 18V. I'll never get them near capacity anyway with an almost all can motored roster and LED passenger car lighting.

 

Trains just don't use the juice they used to, but it's nice to know there's plenty to spare.

A ROWI - 480 Watt

I have one MRC pure power dual, two Lionel PH135s, one CW80 and a Lionel 35W accessory transformer.

Total old school on my O gauge layouts, the new prewar layout will sport a Lionel Type T and my loop under the tree will have my father's original 1042 from the 1423W starter set.  My G scale outdoors is live steam or battery and the battery engines run the overhead loop in my living room.   Mike

My 2 most recent transformers are MTH Z-1000's, an MTH Z-750 brick for the DCS, a post war ZW, KW, and a post war Z. Plus I have a few smaller Lionel 40 or 50 watt single train transformers for lights. 

I tried using Radio Shack or Tandy power inventors but they give out  on me, something about the electronics quit in them.

 

I have looked at the newer transformers but the prices are way too high for me. The new ZW-L the price is over $750.00, the MTH Z-4000 is over $370.00. 

The money I save on transformers goes to new engines when I find one I like. Speaking of new engines I have an Atlas U23B on order for Reading & Northern.

 

Lee Fritz

ROW and PW ZW

I'm running a ZW-L, ZW, GW180 and 2 CW80's 

 

-Pete

2 Lionel 180 Watt bricks for the trains.  Then I have some classic postwar stuff to power the (future) accessories.  Type ZW, LW, and 1033.  Nastalgia.  

I have two Z-4000's and an old LW.

 

Brad

Ooops! I didn't understand the question.

 

 I've got 2 180w bricks on the O, and a Z4000 in wait for more, three Bridgewerks  for the G (down stairs & outback). A spare fixed DC pack for backup. A bunch of MTH packs laying around for the grandkids to blow up (I have to keep them running).

We have 19 Z4000's, one Right of Way, four MRC Dual Pure Power, One MRC 185 watt, 8 MRC O27 Dual power, Four ten amp DC supplies, 2 PC power supplies, and one 20 amp DC power supply

Lionel ZW with two 135 watt bricks.

-Greg

ZWL powers the trains

 

AU Main 1

BU Subway

CU Yard

DU Main 2

 

Z powers the switches, lights and accessories.

 

Peter

My layout will be command control with a capability to run conventional, and I'm getting close to having the wiring done.  I've been collecting transformers for a very long time and have more than I need, especially PH180s.  Whenever I found one cheap I bought it.

 

For track power, I have two sets of 2 PH180/1 TPC400 for upper main lines and three sets of 1 PH180/1 Legacy PM for lower main line and yards.  Cab2/base and two Ver L TIUs attached via passive wiring.

 

For layout accessories, I have a rebuilt ZW and KW, two sets of 1 PH135/1 AVC, a Z-1000, and a couple of 12 VDC transformers.  I have a ZW-C with three PH180s in reserve if needed.

A ZW-C with 4 180 watt bricks and a ZW-L to power the trains.  A PW ZW (recently completely refurbished) handles lights/accessories.

 

I have an MRC Dual Pure Power to use for the Christmas layout in the living room.  In the past I've only used one side, but I'm hoping to get approval for an expanded layout this year and would then use both sides.

Great Question, 2 new ZW's, 8 180 Watt Bricks, 2 TPC 400's, 1 CW80, and 1 Post War 275 Watt ZW.......The layout is divided into 20/40 Blocks.....

MTH z-4000, 2-Z1000's , and 4 Lionel CW 80s.

 

The z-4000 powers everything for now, but we use the z-1000's for the Christmas layout and the CW 80s will be used with the layout expansion for shorter lines and accessories.

two Type Vs to run trains, and Dad's Type R for accessories.and a RW for under the tree.

3 Z-1000s, a Z-750, and a CW-80.

ZW-L to run Legacy and conventional,3 Z-1000s for the TIU and 2 post war ZWs for lights and race car set.

I use an MTH Z4000 to power the two main loops on my layout.  I have a third loop that I power with a Lionel ZW that belonged to my grandfather.  I only operate postwar lionel on that loop.  I wouldnt trust my expensive MTH and Lionel to the old ZW with all of their eletronics.