Planning a 1946 era Lionel layout

Try Henning's in Lansdale, PA for parts. Mark

That era is before the 6464 series of cars. You will need the smaller "scale detailed" cars (like the 2454?) and Madison cars for passengers.

Sounds like fun, though.

I can't imagine why the early whistle controllers cannot be fitted with modern diodes. Have you got one to take apart and see?

I would use two 1041 transformers, which have built-in whistle control, on your 4x8.

I think that is a wonderful project - special time in our history and captures the essence of peacetime and advances in toy trains.  I did not know that Plasticville was NOT available then.  Will you display period correct tin buildings and accessories too?  Enjoy!

Many like (do a OGR search) the post war Lionel LW transformer with 125 watts giving more wattage for a single engine than a ZW.  Buy two, one for each train.  They are not very expensive if you look around (about $40 plus postage on ebay), if you can not get one at a train show minus the shipping).

Check out my OGR post on how I built my 1950s style toy 027 train layout that uses three LW transformer for over 40 years and you might want to know how to build a $10 turntable too!

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1

Charlie

All good advice, especially Charlie's. I also like the LW's.

Tom

Both LW and ZW came after 1946.  Trying to to a layout like its 1946, so nothing newer in the way of transformers.  I am even being picky with building up the freight set for the 726, which will cost me more $$ as those 1946 versions are more expensive. 

@artfull dodger posted:

Both LW and ZW came after 1946.  Trying to to a layout like its 1946, so nothing newer in the way of transformers.

A bank of 1041's is the way to go, then!

How about the Q

The Lionel Q Transformer was available only in 1946. It generated 75 Watts of power and would control one train. It has a built-in circuit breaker.

I was not aware my LWs were so new starting in 1955.

Charlie

The Type Q is interesting.  Guess it will come down to if I do a single track layout or a double loop.  The plan is for a single transfomer mounted at one corner of the layout so it table can fold shut when not in use.  I would say right now its between a a Q and the R.   I was supprised the LW's didnt appear till the mid 1950's when Lionel was starting to decline a bit.  They are a really cool transformer with the lighted dial.     AD

You can also use a type V transformer. 150 watts, 4 output controls with 6-24 volts each. Available in 1946 and 1947. No whistle or direction buttons, but a very nicely designed face plate.

Hi Artfull Dodger,

super idea on a project!  I just sent you a PDF of an lionel instruction manual from 1946.  IT has a little bit of everything in there, including a section on transformers.  Keep us posted on your progress. 

This is  a snip of the 1946 Lionel Catalog, showing the transformers.

@artfull dodger, why 1946? I would have been -1 years old in '46

George

Would the Z be the best and most powerful Lionel transformer in 1946?

Thanks for the PDF, I will print it off once the new ink arrives for my printer.  Why 1946, well thats the date for my Berkshire set that I am building up.  Its more of a 1946 to 48 time frame, where the initial set was purchased in '46.  So layout construction would be Christmas day going forward.  A Z is nice but massive overkill along with being to tall and heavy.  The transformer will be at the front left corner of the layout and the layout is hinged and folds up flat against a 10" deep frame that is lag bolted to the wall studs.  Even a 4x8 dominates my tiny layout room, so being able to fold it shut when not in use, like most of the summer when the garden railway is the choice for nice day train time.  The one non '46 era thing I may try to include is a nice bridge from Trainworks Studios.  I dont like having a track plan that the only route is up and down grades in such a small space as sometimes I just want to let it run and not have to touch the throttle.  So I am searching high and low at track plans for both over and under, otherwise I will have to recess the bridge into the main table with a valley cut out if I choose to use it.   AD

Almost all of my larger good pulling postwar locomotives including 2035, 2025, 2046, 2065s were made before my three LWs were made and none of them had their feeling hurt by a 1955 produced transformer.

In fact, they feel good by having 125 watts a power available verses 65 or 75 watts of smaller over worked transformers.

Charlie

Guys, he wants to do 1946.

Stop pushing him to do what YOU want him to do. It's his project and his trains.

Thanks Roy, some folks are just the way they are.  I have done the later stuff, owned LW's, ZW's and so forth.  At one time, when I was the repair tech for a local Lionel repair shop, I had pretty much one of every model of postwar steam and diesel in my collection.  Shop credit for trains is how I was paid, so by my early 20's I had a huge postwar collection.  Then I moved out on my own, bills and life came along, sold most of it to get life started with my wife.   Now I am slowly rebuilding, but with more of a focus and less of a "shotgun" approach of just everything postwar.   AD