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The Lionel RS-1 (RS-I?) looks to me like an interesting starter transformer but I can't find too much information about it and I would be grateful for any experiences or advice anyone can share.  One thing I'm curious about is if the circuit breaker is the fast-acting type suitable for modern electronics.  Would it be possible to run a modest train on the throttle knob and a trolley on the accessory knob, or is that asking too much?  Thanks for any information!

Last edited by bajinnova
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bajinnova posted:

The Lionel RS-1 (RS-I?) 

It is RS-"one"; the first Road Switcher (RS). (Their switchers - no short hood - were "S-1" and the like.) In fact, Alco was the first to use "road switcher" as a term, so far as I know. Later came the RS-2 and RS-3 (almost identical visually), and some other RS's, then they quit using the term.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

It's only a 50W transformer, so I'd probably be looking for something a bit more robust if it were me.

But for a 50W transformer, how is it?  But point taken on the power.  If I buy a new transformer it will be a Z-1000, but for a starter Christmas layout I could pick up an RS-1 for a lot less and having the whole thing in one box would be convenient.

D500 posted:
bajinnova posted:

The Lionel RS-1 (RS-I?) 

It is RS-"one"; the first Road Switcher (RS). (Their switchers - no short hood - were "S-1" and the like.) In fact, Alco was the first to use "road switcher" as a term, so far as I know. Later came the RS-2 and RS-3 (almost identical visually), and some other RS's, then they quit using the term.

He’s talking about a transformer, the RS-1 (Lionel 6-12780), not a locomotive.

A 50-watt transformer is not a decent starter model. It’s underpowered. So forget the RS-1 and focus on a 75- to 100-watt transformer instead.

Thanks.  I found the post below comparing it favorably to the CW-80, which is part of what got me started thinking about it.  But maybe I should consider a Z-1000 instead.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/what-is-the-best-100-watt-transformer?reply=22970455092952512#22970455092952512

I think it still might have a place, though.  It could be a cheap and simple way to get the "I want a train set for Christmas" mission accomplished, and if a larger layout follows (which is the plan) maybe it would make a good extra transformer for a trolley or accessories wiht something bigger (Z-4000?) for main track power?

So the question still remains: is it a good 50W transformer, and is the circuit breaker the fast modern type?

Last edited by bajinnova
Chuck Sartor posted:

There was internal issues with the RS-1 transformers. It had an older style circuit breaker, faster than a postwar 1033, but not a true electronic circuit breaker. This was a dog of a transformer and quickly replaced with the MW type. As far as I know, the MW had the first true electronic CB.

Thank you very much, that's really helpful information.

I have fully gone through the RS-1 and can confirm it is a solid transformer. The issues noted around it being a rated 50 Watt transformer may not be as relevant as the specs would suggest. I do believe it is slightly underrated (both in terms of its output capability and its place on the market) and is a much more solid and sustainable transformer that its known to be. The breaker is actually 6amp.

This one does not have the chopped sine wave issues that CW-80 has or an early MTH Z-1000/750/500 controller and a lot of other low powered chopped sine wave power packs from other makers had, including almost everything AC from MRC. The RS-1 is comparable to the current Z-Controller/Z-1000 in terms of power cleanliness. The breaker is a bit slower acting that the Z-1000, but it does react fast enough it seems to avoid damage.

The RS-1 would make a good quick-n-easy small set up all-in-one power pack, or Holiday circle power pack, or even a test bench unit. It's a good low cost alternative to everything else rated below the Z-1000. I would recommend it in a heartbeat and they can be had cheap if you can find them now.

*It runs 3rd and 4th Gen Proto-1, PS2 and PS3, as well as most all Lionel products (that don't require additional wattage) without issues. The chopped power, like any chopped sine wave power pack, means that it's not going to play nicely (or at all) with any early QSI engines, or 1st or 2nd Gen MTH Proto-1. (Basically anything made after 1996 with PS1 should be ok on it.)

Last edited by DdotCdot

I had a RS-1 for years and never had any issues with it.  Could run a LTI dual pullmor GG-1 with it with no problems.  The same GG-1 would trip the circuit breaker on a Postwar 1033 after a few minutes of running, but no issues with the RS-1.  I think the 50 watt rating is definitely underated. The hobby store I helped out had one for years on their store layout, used it all the time to power the store layout and test engines.  I believe the MW transformer predated the RS-1, it was the MW that had some issues.

DdotCdot wrote:


This one does not have the chopped sine wave issues that CW-80 has or an early MTH Z-1000/750/500 controller and a lot of other low powered chopped sine wave power packs from other makers had, including almost everything AC from MRC.

What are the issues with older Z-1000?   I recently bought a used one.  What years are “early”?

bajinnova posted:
DdotCdot wrote:


This one does not have the chopped sine wave issues that CW-80 has or an early MTH Z-1000/750/500 controller and a lot of other low powered chopped sine wave power packs from other makers had, including almost everything AC from MRC.

What are the issues with older Z-1000?   I recently bought a used one.  What years are “early”?

Don’t know the  years but  just make sure the controller unit says “Z-Controller” on it as opposed to “Z-1000”.

There was internal issues with the RS-1 transformers. It had an older style circuit breaker, faster than a postwar 1033, but not a true electronic circuit breaker. This was a dog of a transformer and quickly replaced with the MW type. As far as I know, the MW had the first true electronic CB.

The MW was first, two somewhat different versions of it, followed by the RS-1, which is a really decent 5-6 amp transformer despite its "50 Watt" output rating.

I have 2 RS-1's. Love them!!! Highly underrated by the O Gauge community. The beef with it seems to be that it only pumps out 50 watts (shared between track & accessory controls) But it puts out 18 volts with 10 amps. And it's external circuit breaker reacts plenty fast enough.

It's a fine transformer for running conventional trains.

You might check the math. 18 volts at 10 amps is 180 watts.

That's over three and a half times 50 watts.

Last edited by RoyBoy

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