Oldest Toy Train Transformer?

Not really that old and not really a transformer.  Made from around 1927 or so to sometime in the early/mid 1930's.  It was a used as a speed control for those cases where the transformer or power source (batteries) did not have a way to vary the voltage. 

I believe in the Real Old Days, Voltamp used a series of 4-5 light bulbs that had to be screwed in and out to vary the speed of the train.

Rusty

Robert

Thanks for the clarification which ,in retrospect, makes sense as to this interesting piece was (is). You mentioned batteries which made me think of rural areas.. a lot of which did not have electricity back in the day. Now you have me wondering what a 1920's vintage battery looks like...the lead clips on the battery look strangely familiar.

Mr Nabisco

Wow..kinda fits into what rural folks might have used, I already was dumbfounded when I saw my first hit and miss engine, ( what the heck is that?) this one is a new twist. Very cool.

Bruce

Techie

I was being tongue in cheek..my least favorite terminal post..

Bruce

Yes, those Fahnstocks are no friend of stranded wire, especially.  Being frustrated by those clips is one thing I remember from my early train days.

Let's see more photos of ancient electrical equipment related to toy trains.  Here's my contribution:  An Ives transformer, sans rheostat.  The voltage is controlled by connecting to any of 4 posts, giving 6 possible voltages from 4 to 20 volts.  I've not been brave enough to plug it in.

I have the Ives transformer, and I plugged mine in, and it still works (Safety Warning: Run an extension cord into the driveway. It lessens the fire danger). I also have an early American Flyer transformer.

I also had the opportunity to see a early Lionel #5 ish set (NYC & HRRR with tender). It had the wires and sockets for the original batteries, and the box with the label showing how to use it. I wish I would have had the money to buy the set from a friend of mine, but at least I got to see it (but my pictures are gone )

Hey, that's a good one, Michael:  Running an extension cord to the driveway.  

Seeing that old battery for radio use just reminded me of an electric bill from the early 50s I ran across.  It was for a hobby farm my Granddad had which had been electrified under the Rural Electrification Agency, a depression-era agency. I remember visiting him when he used kerosene lamps, and what a huge improvement the electricity was. He didn't use a lot of electricity because he wasn't there all the time, but this bill was for $1.90 - for 2 months! 

Mr. Nabisco's wheel generator reminds me to the story my dad told me.

During the war (my dad and his brother were hidden) they had a bicycle, on a stand. The wheel acted as a pulley, loading an old car battery. One was pedalling the wheel, the other reading aloud some copy of a book. They shifted duty when the cyclist got tired.

The battery and a small bulb gave them at least some light for a few moments.

Here's a Marx transformer most old timers will be very familiar with.  During WWII, they were available with a detachable cord, and it was the same cord used by other appliances, so you could conserve by using only the one cord.

Here's my Jefferson Electric Midget transformer and its box. I don't know how old it is, but I like it. I'm not going to plug it in, however. 

Your Jefferson is in great condition.  It's old, for sure.  It seems to have a lot of the same characteristics as the Ives.  But yours looks to have a speed control on the front.

Yes, it has seven unmarked "click-stops" on it, evenly spaced. It was "learn-by-doing" voltage control.

In the early years of our hobby, homes were sparsely supplied with electrical outlets because nobody imagined all the things that electricity could do.  Some outlets had just one place to plug in, not two.  So a screw-in adapter was popular if, for example, you wished to run your train.  You removed your light bulb from your plain porcelain ceiling fixture, screwed in the adapter, then plugged in your transformer.

How about this one...

Or this one...

Rich,

I would not plug one of those in either!

But I am happy to feature them in Collector's Gallery in Run 265, the August / September issue.

It is the least I cam do for the old things. Especially since one of them was supposedly rated at 400 watts.  (Good Grief)

Ed Boyle

I figured a little "teaser" about what's coming in Collector's Gallery in Run 265 wouldn't hurt! 

Won't hurt a bit, as long as we don't plug them in

Rich

Looks like it came off a DC-3..full power, flaps up!

Bruce 

two from the 20's...

think A.C. Gilbert's first transformer was from 1938?  guess again.

Erector offered this separate sale "Toy Transformer" from 1924 - 1932.

my style award (for black box transformers anyway) has to go to the Flyer Model 1290, though.

along with an instruction sheet picturing the flow from power plant to your home.

electricity coming right out of the wall... imagine that!

cheers...gary

Gary, those are great-looking old pieces you have there.  And the instruction sheet makes very interesting reading - thanks for posting.

As I recall, American Flyer transformers were made by Jefferson Electric in Chicago.  They carry some of the same details and measurements so I would think that that is correct.  However when AF introduced the "Dial Type" in about 1935, shown above, I don't think that Jefferson ever offered that transformer under their own label.

Those two "monsters" that Rich came up with don't look at all familiar to me and I'm really looking forward to that article in the next issue.

I also picked up a weird little transformer.  Looked like the typical square box, tar filled transformer with the contact posts and a handle to touch them, but it has the name "Donagal Electric" on it.  Company was located in Detroit.  Never saw another and would like to learn more about it.

Paul Fischer

Hey I have one of those, see below, got the order mixed up! LOL

and I will raise you a: Z  (powers up and all 4 outputs work)

Or a: B (powers up but think the wiper is dirty or not making good contact as voltage varies)

Here is my 95

and 1042 (powers up and outputs pretty good)

Got them all from a friend, most of the engines and cars etc I am going to keep and sell the rest.

Those old sliding rheostats come in handy to reduce the voltage on downgrades when operating non-cruise controlled engines, both conventional and command.  You can pick them up for <$10.00 at train shows.

Lionel recommended their use for that purpose.  I use one on my layout downgrade and it prevents the possibility of a runaway train or having to constantly adjust the transformer throttle.

Thanks for the Info Joe, I will have to keep that one then as I want to run both conventional and legacy.

CSX Joe,

Old technology for a current use on the layout, what a great idea...thanks.

I have one at home and now I have a practical use for it.

Ed Boyle

By the way, this whole thread has been both fun and informative.

Checking on some oldies in the stash that might fit this thread.

Yes, keep 'em coming by all means - this is fun!

Hey Johnny..here's your brand new 220 Volt Toy Train Transformer.

BTW... Don't touch the third rail..

Here is my favorite... it doubles as a waffle iron.

If you dare plug it in....

Here's one I picked up at a yard sale for a couple bucks.  I've never seen it listed in any of my Greenberg's guides.  It doesn't work - makes a rattly buzz, but no output.

Have you seen the 2013 Greenberg's Lionel pocket guide? page 43, 35 watt trans. made between 1937 to 39.

Lee Fritz

Some of these older transformers are very interesting to see. A universal A.C. transformer with different voltage inputs and cycles or hertz is one that I have not heard of before.

I am familiar with the plug in for 220 volts for Europe that electroliner has shown, but not seen the transformer before.

Had an old Lionel B transformer but have disposed of it as it didn't work, many years ago. Have a type Z 250 watt transformer that I use for my older Lionel trains.

Lee Fritz

Thank you, Lee.  No. I hadn't picked up this year's.  Finally they found it.  Thanks again!

A fascinating thread..

David:  Thanx for posting that info.  I've been waiting for your reply (or someone's) for well over a year now!  I had picked up a little Dongan transformer with a set of trains that I bought.  I had never seen that name nor heard of the brand, before. 

I've been bringing that transformer to shows for the last few years, not really trying to sell it, but to just find out more about it.  Your reference certainly filled me in.  I guess that the company was not as small nor as obscure as I thought.  So, now newly educated, I will place the transformer on a shelf in my train room as a part of my collection.  Not worth much, I would reckon, but nonetheless rather interesting and a good conversation starter.

In the days when vacuum tubes were used in all electronic devices, transformers were pretty widely manufactured by a number of different companies.  My former Father in Law was VP of the largest of those companies, Stancor, located in Chicago but with locations in other parts of the country.  He had learned the transformer manufacturing business in his native Australia and was brought to this country for his expertise.   When transistors came into general use, there was no longer any need for the power transformers and within a few short years the old Stancor company was virtually gone.

Paul Fischer

This is a great discussion.....I have an old Jefferson Transformer......I'll pull it out for a picture.

Peter

At lease one of the two transformers that Rich posted looks like a Lionel prototype that was pictured in one of the TM books on Lionel trains:

Lionel: A Collector's Guide and History, Volume V: The Archives.

The one with clear handles is shown on page 75.

Oh, come on guys.  Plug them in!!  It's just like NASCAR - we say we go for the racing but it's the wrecks, fire and smoke, we lust for . . . !

NOT APPROVED FOR DCS OR LEGACY !!!!!!

for some of those older ones with frayed cords brings up the old saying
"don't try this at home"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PovHr5sk5cI

Paul & David:

I have an old Dongan transformer, too.  It’s rated at 100 watts and it has “Champion” on the nameplate.  It has the 1-volt steps.  I even have the original box for it.  I haven’t tried plugging it in because the cord is frayed and I’m afraid to try it.  I’ll post a photo when I get a chance.  Maybe we can start the Dongan Transformer Collectors Club!

Bill

David, where did you find the repro cord?

The 1905 Carlisle & Finch layout used lightbulbs to control the speed of the train.The more lightbulbs you unscrew the faster the train went.

Dan

John, I found the vintage looking repro cord on Ebay.  Do a search under "cloth covered twisted wire".  Many of the sellers also have vintage looking plugs, lamp sockets, etc.  If you're not into Ebay, try this website:

http://www.colorcord.com/

Here are a couple of my simple Marx transformers.  I replaced the power cords and added 5 amp internal circuit breakers. Most of the transformers from the earlier part of the 20th century didn't have circuit breakers, note the yellow sticker on the top.

These old Marx transformers work great and are so appropriate to use with Marx trains from the same period.  My feeling is that if you are going to run old trains, then use transformers from the same period.

quote:

 My feeling is that if you are going to run old trains, then use transformers from the same period.

I make it a practice to avoid using metal cased transformers of any age. Most prewar trains will run fine with a postwar Lionel transformer such as an LW or ZW. If I wanted more voltage, I'd use a "Z".

I recently purchased a 1945 Lionel set from its original owner. The outfit came with both an "R" and a "Q" transformer. Both are in nice shape, with the original cord still pliable. I'll hold onto them, but I won't use them due to their metal cases.

Here's my prewar Jefferson transformer....

Peter

This is my earliest, the rest of it consisted of electrodes and a jar of acid, best I can tell.

Fred

Audi's rheostat is American Flyer. I do not have any further details.

Don't have a picture, but about a year ago I had a customer bring in a set his Grandmother purchased at Macy's in New York for his dad. It had a prewar 'Type-A' transformer in it that looked as good as the day it was purchased.

The whole set did. The box was lithographed with pictures representing the 1939 New York World's Fair. Including the Trylon and Perisphere, stream lined biplanes with swept wings, and of course the PRR 6-4-4-6 S-1 loco.

The entire set looked like it had just come off the store shelf, and the price lithographed on the box? A whopping $39.95!

As promised, attached are photos of my Dongan transformer and its original box.  It is the Champion model and is rated at 100 watts.  Not sure when this was made but that sentence in small red print on the label on the box where it is partially torn ends with the words “… for 18 years”.  “David from Dearborn” said they were founded in 1909 so that would mean this transformer could have been made as early as 1927.

Bill