Does anyone make a mid-range AC transformer anymore?

The Lionel LW at 125 watts is one of the best Lionel ever made.  I run three to control my layout, running up to five trains, for 44 years.  And they are rather inexpensive, with train shows the best place to buy.

Charlie

I've had good success with the LW, too. They are very reliable. Having said that, always check the cords for old wiring.

Tom

Thank you both, but I am inquiring about currently manufactured transformers.

Lionel GW-180.

Jon

I just checked MRC's website, and they don't list any AC transformers.  New (or like new) ones can still be found at meets.  I have a couple of "Pure Power Dual" transformers that work well.

What's wrong with a Z-1000?

Nicholas Smith shows the Lionel GW-180 in stock, and has the lowest price I found in a quick search, at $259.99.

The GW-180 uses a controller that looks the same as the CW-80, but uses an External 180 watt power brick.

I don’t believe that it has the same chopped wave issues as the CW-80, when used with some MTH or other brand locomotives.

Have never used/owned a GW-180, but it looks like the best bet for what you are looking for

Doug

The answer is no.  The old school transformer used by Lionel under the black cover, was a unique creation and has been usurped by the complexity of taking the heart of the thing, now a simple almost off the shelf low voltage transformer in a couple sizes depending on needed wattage, the  larger ones  a 'brick' as people call them, and taking that AC though Triacs or other components to make  variable AC track control volts.  The original Lionel transformer with open windings for the rheostat, has become very expensive to make.  I'm sure there are a ton of OSHA rules that apply also, compensating  for the idiot factor of many folks today who could break and anvil if given the chance. The CW 80 is small enough for it all to be in one case, the CG180 has an outboard AC supply feeding the electronics in the control half of the unit.  There are many original Lionel units for sale just about everywhere, and as long as structurally intact, and with a good transformer, repair is usually just a new line cord and maybe the whistle control rectifier, and some clean up. Attached are 2 photos covering a schematic of the CW 80 I found, note that unlike a normal Lionel transformer where A B were variable, they are fixed and the U terminal is what is changing. Guessing the CG180 is basically the same, but with bigger Triacs.

@BenLMaggi posted:

I know that a lot of people have moved to command contract (DCS, TMCC, Legacy) which has probably killed a lot of the demand for mid-level transformers

Thanks.

I think you nailed it…..

Peter

Thank you all!

@BenLMaggi posted:

Are there any current transformers in the 100-200 watt range being produced? I don't mean ones like the revised Lionel ZW, or the MTH Z4000 which I consider large transformers. And I don't mean current starter-set transformers like the Lionel CW80 or the MTH Z1000 transformer.

I know that a lot of people have moved to command contract (DCS, TMCC, Legacy) which has probably killed a lot of the demand for mid-level transformers

Thanks.

I understand what you are looking for, that said your best bet is the secondary market

@Choo Choo Charlie posted:

The Lionel LW at 125 watts is one of the best Lionel ever made.  I run three to control my layout, running up to five trains, for 44 years.  And they are rather inexpensive, with train shows the best place to buy.

Charlie

A previous post by CCC that came up in search concerning Lionel LW ....

https://ogrforum.com/topic/lio...-control-transformer

For the record, these are not rheostats. Maybe variable transformer would be a better phrase. The sliding contact wipes along turns of a secondary winding of a transformer, getting more voltage as the number of turns increases. A rheostat doesn't need iron to do its job (could be some other material, but iron is pretty cheap and abundant).

Older Lionel trains use rheostats to reduce the voltage from batteries, and I have seen a setup from Lionel for sale in New York City from around 1910 in Roy Hollander's book that took the 110VDC coming into the house, holy lawsuit Batman.