How many ZW's still around

The one I had I was using to power some lights, it shorted out inside causing it to start smoking and then a small fire melting the case. 

The other one my buddy had also shorted out and although it did not blow the case apart it did crack it to a point where several pieces fell to the floor.

btw both were in good shape when this happened. 

I'm not saying this happens all the time but there is a chance in will happen with electric transformers that are that age. 

Would you use a 60 year old toaster, not me! Same with a old tranformer.

use the old ZW's at your own risk, but keep an eye on them. 

I have six ZW Transformers and use two on the layout for accessories and two ZW-C Transformers for main line tracks and a 600 Watt Variac for lights and switch controllers.

I have four powering my layout with no problems.  I have everything protected using fast blow fuses.

I do repairs on pre and post war trains for a local Lionel service station and my advice is plug all transformers into a good power strip with surge protection and a circuit breaker and turn everything off when you leave the room. Goes for guys who set up around the Christmas tree too. I have seen transformers come in for service that people were using with bare wires showing on the power cord..SCARY.

I don't have a ZW currently but I do have and use my mid 60's vintage 1044 and have a basket case KW that I am rebuilding.

Any transformer should be checked before being put back into service. Perhaps it's a job best left to someone who is experienced with them.

I have a couple that I quit using on layouts in the late 90's.  I still use one for miscellaneous stuff.  

I was running my 8 x 5, 9 loop display with three pw zw's and one z1000 power supply. The recent acquisition of two LionChief engines allowed me to retire one zw. Because the LionChiefs don't need a whistle or direction control from the transformer they can run from previously unused auxiliary power controls.

Yes I have added fast acting circuit breakers and TVS into the equation.

I have two ZW's along with a RW and KW for post-war transformers.  They are great performers in my opinion as well as classic in design in an era when toy trains were immensely popular.  I have some new transformers as well, but these old beauties evoke as many powerful emotions as they wattage they produce!

I have three Post War ZW'S.  They are on permanent accessory

duty.  I run my layout with two 180 Bricks and two Powermasters,

with TMCC.  It works great no problems for the last two years.

I have had no luck with the new Lionel ZW's with TMCC.  One

circuit board after another it seemed went belly up.  Being told

that it could take six months for a replacement from China, well

that was it.  I know this goes with the hobby, I will let it go at

that.

To say that Old Josh made his trains and ZW's to last (Not to say

back in the day there were no problems, yes there was) but to

have three Post War ZW's still giving meritorious service in 2014

leads me to believe, they will out last me.  I am pushing 70, my

guess is they will.  Good Topic.

Many thanks,

Billy C 

I use 4 Post War ZW's to power my layout, I only use the A throttle on each transformer to power one block.  I have had two of them serviced as I have owned them for 40 years, and the other 2,  I purchased after they were serviced.   My thinking is that if I only pull current for one train in a block, even if it's a passenger train, I won't pull too much current and heat things up.  So the B,C, and D throttle are permanently dormat.   I also run 12 gauge stranded copper conductors to the distribution blocks (terminal strips) and then 12 gauge stranded bus lines under the table ,  and 14 gauge copper stranded from the bus lines to the track.   

I have been running TMCC with these transformers, without any issues since 1998. Last year,  I added the fast acting 10 AMP circuit breakers plus TVS (transient voltage suppressors) to each throttle to ensure I don't damage any circuit boards.  I purchased these components for very fair price from Mouser Electronics. 

Since I added the circuit breakers and the TVS, I had immediate breaker trips whenever the occaisional derailment occurs, the breakers trip very quickly and are easily re-settable.  

After reading many posts on this forum, I am a big believer in the TVS devices, they are extremely inexpensive and have no negative effects and couldn't be easier to install.  

I tend to prefer the "R" model transformer, or at least make sure that the ZW has the riveted core.  The non-riveted core transformer I had "buzzed and hummed" the Riveted cores in my experience are quieter.  

Here's my dependable (since layout was first built, in 1994-95) bank of 'em, which includes four old ones (plus, one stored under the layout, just-in-case) from the 1950's and a newer one with TMCC.

50-60 year old Sunbeams are the best and the only ones I use. I have two, my mother has one. My sandwich griddles and popcorn popper are even older and still have fabric cords.