LW Transformer Power

as long as you don't try to drive all the accessories at once, you'll be ok...the gateman and the flasher I would guess your gonna use simple track activators? …..they wont consume power until they get activated anyways......

Yes, Frank, the LW should handle that just fine. It is my favorite postwar single-train transformer, and I use one on my test bench. IIRC it was included in the two motor F3 sets, so your NW2 will be no problem. 

I will add that I really like the large red buttons on the LW for the whistle and direction controls. IMO the easiest to operate of any Lionel transformer, and especially great for kids!

The LW should do just fine. I used one for the first twenty years of this journey. Every once in awhile you’ll have to change the bulb in the speed control, not much else in the way of upkeep.

Brad

Thank you all!

   It is the highest wattage made for a single train Lionel transformer of the postwar era. It should run near anything you throw at it without issue. 

  It's also the most stylish with a lighted dial and imo resembling some real throttles.  A bulb gel cap and you can light it different colors; red, green, yellow at least. Pink, blue & violet rare but out there.

Still have my childhood model, along with a second, to power my accessories. 

The LW was my childhood transformer.  I still use an LW to power Postwar Lionel trains around the Christmas tree.  A whiff of ozone and that green L glowing at me on the LW turn me into an 8 year old again.  😉

Curt

A bit rare; I once had a green #90 button. It came with my X set. I recall the dia between the button and LW insert is only slightly different and woder if with my adult skills to call on now, an insert could be modded to fit as a button for a #90 case?

One of my favorite designs.  I use it as my bench test transformer.  However, I still don't understand why Lionel transformers didn't have on/off switches.

Alan

To force a total power disconnect is my guess. Unplugging things is actually kinda "old school common" too. With all the great design of the past, there was some real fire trap crap too.. the UL did a world of good there.

I've meet plenty of older folks that unplug everything not in use. Especially toasters.  I don't think many families broke the habit until TV's and radios began to no longer need a warm up, or maybe the earlier Sunbeam coffee pot getting left on warm half the day.

If you could afford the power leak you likely didn't care. A transformer is pretty stable and power there low voltage.

Many early houses around here didnt have overhead lighting but a switched outlet and lamp or wall sconce was more common in most rooms than today. (Most living rooms retain the feature). The use of  screw in converters for light bulb or fuse base to a blade type outlet was also common. I've been in homes with no plugs just wall lamp outlets, and nothing but unswitched lamp plugs at 5'. Uninsulated bare wire run to ceramic posts and spaced a foot or two apart or in separate wall /ceiling sections.... Old electrical is crazy at times.

Great transformer. Got it for Christmas with my first Lionel set the year it was introduced (which I think was 1955). Rated at 125 w .

Stylish, functional, powerful, just a cool piece.  I just wish the starting voltage were lower.  Perfect for the layout you describe.

Your wish could be real for under $10. About and inch square for the "chunky" ones. Three would put it at closer to 1.5v(ac/dc) four would basically be near 0v. at start up.  Any jack rabbiting with ac now is the motor. The next try would be half wave dc ( + or - as either input or output= + or - pulsed DC @ -1.5 drop from input... dont forget the whistle blows constant on any dc)