I recently acquired a used MTH z1000. My LionChief Plus Hudson did not want to operate on its power (did not power on, make sounds, etc). I have not had an opportunity test on a conventional loco
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Yes. If not, you've got a problem!
Sure, it will run fine. And LC+ runs best at about 18v.
Garrett76,
You bet, smooth as glass at 18 Volts!
PCRR/Dave
Thanks, that's what I thought. Must be a prob with the z1000
Tried running a Lion chief plus with just a MTH brick alone. It went about 3 feet and started making a loud buzzing sound then no sound at all. It worked fine for several weeks when the Z controller was wired between the brick and the tracks and turned up to full voltage. Lionel repaired it and said the sound board went bad. Wether or not the brick alone caused it, they couldn't say.
That must have been a fluke. I've run LC and LC+ stuff on a direct connection to the PH180 brick with no issues at all. From any Lionchief Plus manual...
If you choose to run your locomotive in LionChief mode, slide the TRANSFORMER/REMOTE switch to the REMOTE position. Your locomotive runs on fixed 18 VAC or 18 VDC voltage, which is optimal for the sound system and smoke system.
Thanks John. That's what I read in the manual too. So I figured it was safe to run with out the Z controller in between. The Lionel rep said he never saw the internals of a MTH brick to see what is keeping the 18 volts constant. The brick was plugged into a wall outlet that an air conditioner was on and running. There my have been a voltage change to the 120 volt input side of the brick if the compressor in the air conditioner cycled on or off at the same time I started moving the train forward. Could this be possible and would the Z controller add addition protection from a voltage spike or drop?
DANGER WILL ROBIN DANGER! 
You need to look at the Voltage out of the Z-1000 Brick. Some early models put out 22-24VAC. WAY TOO MUCH for a Lionel Designed Circuit board, meant to run on 18VAC. Same with a Z-4000, you must limit output voltage to 18VAC. G
George is right, some older transformers put out excessive voltage. I had a Z1000 brick that put out 24VAC, I was really surprised when I read the voltage!
I wouldn't count on any real "protection" from the Z-Controller, best to have your own. 
That had to be open circuit / no load. Has anyone tested one of these with a typical set on the rails and the controller in the circuit? it may just take a couple of bulbs to bring the output down to 18-19 volts.
Rob, the transformer was actually nameplated at 24 volts. I wish I still had it, I'd take a picture.
