CAN'T RUN LIONEL LEGACY TRAINS WITH MTH Z4000 TRANSFORMER

I run Legacy engines with a Z4000 all the time.

My guess would be

a) a faulty transformer. Did you try more than one of the transformer outputs? or

b) faulty/incorrect wiring. Are you connecting the Z4000 to the same ground setup as the CW80 and Legacy base.

John

Frank, are you trying to run them conventional or through a legacy remote? ....my whole layout is Legacy powered by two Z4000s .....I run Legacy all the time....no issues....but I’m using a legacy base with the remote to operate......we need a little more info buddy..............Pat

No remote. Just off the z4000 throttle control. 

Frank,

Did you happen to test the track voltage?  Does it increase/decrease with the Z4000 throttle movement?

Dave

Yes I  have voltage. Also my non-legacy trains run perfectly on this track powered by the z4000. Only the legacy engines aren’t running on it. Do I need the remote to make this work? Weirdly enough they run perfectly on the track powered by the cw80 without remote 

You need a legaacy redio transmiter.I have one hook up to my Z4000.Runs great using the remote control.My 508 berkshire runs very good.

What do you mean by "can't run"? Do the locomotives not turn on? Can you not control direction? Do the sounds not come on? Does the transformer short out when power is applied?

You don't have a TMCC or Legacy base hooked up anywhere near your layout do you?

Runs very slow. Turns on, lights, sounds all work. I can control direction but only goes very slow. The transformer does not short out and my other non-legacy trains work perfectly on this track. These engines only work properly on the tracks that are attached to the CW80 transformer. No TMCC or legacy base hooked up. 

Hmm...  Must be something odd about the transformer.  I've run TMCC and Legacy with the Z-4000 on a number of layouts and never had any issues at all.  FWIW, the NJ-HR club has a bank of Z-4000 transformers, and their Legacy works like a champ.

Hi Frank, I ran into this when I first wired my new Z-4000 from previously using CW 80’s, the issue affected my Lionchief + engines...they powered on, lights and all other operations worked, but moved very slowly. Turns out that I inadvertently used one of the fixed terminals on the Z-4000 by mistake! You may have already checked that out,  but thought I would mention it to you as a possibility.

Also in switching from one transformer to another can confuse the issue since different wires or connectors may be used...like as if the terminal to the Z might be iffy?