Sean,
It's interesting that both of the previous posts have suggested buying transformers that are seriously expensive. If you're new to the hobby looking at these price tags may turn you off to it immediately.
To avoid losing you let's look at two other options:
- A medium priced traditional transformer -- there are several that are moderately priced, such as MTH's reasonable Z-1000, or Lionel's more expensive and more powerful GW-180. Both of these are separable between the throttle controller and the power supply. To use them for command control you can unplug the power supply from the throttle unit and connect it directly to the track, providing a constant 18 volts A.C. But it's just as easy to leave them connected and turn the throttle up to it's maximum position, which effectively gives the same result.
- A command control set -- for remote walk-around operation going to command control introduces a hand-held controller, or alternatively a smartphone with an appropriate app, and an interface to the track that plugs in between the transformer, or as mentioned above it's power supply, and the track (MTH, TIU), or attaches an antenna lead to the outside rail (Lionel, Command Base). Both of these need a constant 18 volt A.C. supply, applied to the track as mentioned above, or in the case of MTH's TIU most often through the TIU to the track. The MTH version of this allows conventional control by varying the track track voltage using the handheld or phone, Lionel's version also requires what's called a PowerMaster to be installed between the transformer, or as mentioned above it's power supply, and the track in order to do the same.
These two scenarios will both give you conventional control, and with number (2) you also get command.
Most importantly either will cost less than either a ZW-L or a Z-4000.
Mike
