Reply to "Beginner question: Can one transformer do it all or do I need different brands?"

Recently rain into a power issue, if I had the $ I would like a Z4000.

Myself, I use an old ZW pw for its dual accessory output to power lights, accessories and switches, (good idea to split the accessory load on the ZW) otherwise it may get hot. I use a Z1000 to power the trains and have tied the commons of the ZW and Z1000 together, seems to be working great so far.

I avoid the CW80s like the plague.