@ADCX Rob posted:Well, they do have very substantial 7-8 amp transformers hidden inside the case that are very useful for other purposes around the layout & shop.
When one of my CW-80's died in a cloud of smoke. I tore it apart, half of the circuit board components were melted or split open and the main transformer had burned so no saving anything inside it. I cut off the cord and use it for a doorstop in the garage. I probably should dig out the rest of them in the garage in the spring that came with Lionel starter sets and sell off the ones in boxes that have never been used. I didn't get back into the hobby until late 2008 and that CW-80 was just over a year old when it cooked itself so Lionel wouldn't replace it. I went with a MTH Z-1000 transformer to replace it on advice of my local train shop, bought another one later on and I have been very happy with those 2 MTH Z-1000 Transformers that have never had any issues. I will be running modern conventional once I finish getting all the Fastrack wired up with jumper wires soldered between track sections and feeder wires every 6 pieces of track for my 2 loops, approximately 40 feet of track on the outer loop on my new layout.
