At one time I used a ZW to power ALL the lights on my layout. The thing I noticed the most is that an old core type transformer does not have a steady voltage so the lights flicker or fade out and get brighter at times. I did at one time put in a full wave bridge rectifier to convert it to DC but then someone on the forum suggested using outdoor garden lighting transformers for lighting. great idea but very expensive.
My method was that I went to Craigslist a few years ago and found computer transformers 650 watt for 10 to 15 dollars each. Fantastic, they put out a steady 3, 5,and 12 volts. and it is a pure DC voltage so your light bulbs will last much longer and the LED's use 3V. I now have 3 of them under the layout table all with fans built into them. Everything is fused and all the grounds are the one common black wire. These have worked great for me for at least the last 10 years.
