Enough Power For This?

Tackindy

It appears that you have 3 "mainlines",a blue line w/long spur, green line w/staging yard and the elevated gray line. First, just as info, are you controlling via DCS, TMCC or Conventional or a combination? I also appears that none of your mains are interconnected via crossovers.

Are you anticipating having each of the mains, plus adjoining spur or staging tracks, as a separate power district[3 total] with of course its own transformer or separate throttle power supply? What load of engine motors and lights do you plan for each district? You can toggle selected staging tracks and or the spur for disconnect which when not in use will isolate cabooses and parked engines.

You have 75 and 100 watt transformers so whether they will suffice depends on the train load of motors and lights they supply in their respective districts. You have led-ed passenger cars which is a big plus. If you have engines with modern motors that is also a plus load wise. Consider that even a modern engine with a single motor can pull 25-35 watts depending on consist load and speed. So the answer to your transformer question is to assess the makeup of the equipment that you will be running in each district and its estimated electrical load.

For example, if you were running an AA combination of 1993 Weaver E8s with four motors, forget the small transformers. I used to run that combination with 5 incandescent lighted passenger cars in tow and it is a big load wattage-wise. I note this to indicate the difference in modern and older engines.

As long as you have secure track connections and have ample railpower feeders to avoid voltage drop, the length of track will have only minimum affect on the electrical demand--its all about the train load.

Yes those are three separate mainlines.  The Large outer line with spur will run either a twin engine stack train or a Challenger led passenger train with LEDs.  

The inner loop and yard will house single engine trains of various type from a modern Amtrak Superliner to a steam powered beer train of Atlas cars.  

The upper will be a logging run with a military train staged or vice/versa.  

The layout will have three separate lines each being powered by a brick and DCS channel.

You can probably make it with the 100 watt transformers but even some used 135 watt Lionel bricks might be a better solution. 

Is that the MTH 1993 Challenger or the modern version?

It should be the more modern one.  All of my engines are PS2 so it should be after 2000 right?  

I might try to find a good priced Lionel 180.  I think that would be better as you suggest.

Nice looking layout!

My opinion, and there are many on here, nobody's wrong. Just my opinion. I never know what I'm going to run or what else should have power, ie. shutting off blocks or certain areas. I prefer to have the extra power provided by the 180 brick. !000's are fine but it cuts out at 7.5 amps I think. The 180 gives you 10 amps, a little more to work with. Nassau, a sponsor here, has some in stock. (just a pound for pound observation that I prefer for the money.)

I rely on the 180 PoHos entirely except for the DC needs. INMHO it is the single best power supply for those who operate from a handheld remote. Also, it has a very fast circuit breaker and by linking to a TPC I can run Conventional from the handheld remote.

For folks who love to operate with throttles it is hard to beat the Z4K @ 180 watts per main throttle or even a fully renovated pw ZW for about 190 watts in total.

Ok I see what all you've done, which is how I do it except with the MTH bricks.  Except for the silver boxes...... what are those?  Conditioners?

Dewey, nice clean wiring board.  Can you tell me the purpose of the white pvc?

Thx

Simple, it holds the wire and makes for a neat installation.