What is the best transformer to use?

Actually the choice of transformer is secondary to the choice of control systems since you can operate O gauge trains with most any good modern transformer. A lot of people are using the MTH Z1000's who have smaller layouts while others have moved up to the MTH Z4000.

The new Lionel ZW-L is getting a lot of good reviews and is a very powerful transformer for most layouts. Lionel is also introducing a new 180 watt transformer to accompany the 80 watt CW 80.

Atlas and Bachmann have the same transformers with 80 watt outputs as well that get good reviews and would be appropriate for a smaller layout.

The choice of a control system is somewhat, but not necessarily, dependent on which manufacturers engines you prefer or have the most of. If you plan to just run MTH go with their DCS system if you plan to have a number of different engines or the MTH DCS Remote Commander which is limited to running only one engine at a time. You can also run Lionel TMCC/Legacy Command Engines using the MTH DCS system with the addition of a Lionel command base and an additional cable.

Reverse the above if planning to run mostly Lionel and go with the Lionel command system, either the full Legacy system or the upcoming CAB-1L and just add a Track Power Controller and a cable to run most MTH engines in conventional with the Lionel systems.

To build on the point you are running MTH trains and therefore will probably go DCS eventually:

I would break the track into blocks of about 5 feet in length. Then power every other one with one of your smaller transformers. Power the odd blocks with the other transformer.

MAKE SURE they are phased together!

This will spread the load of your lighted passenger consist across the two transformers. A Passenger consist can easily use more power than the engine.

When you get DCS, keep the blocks and run the 2 sets off 2 Fixed channels out. Plug one of your transformers into each Fixed in.

Viola, DCS on alternate power blocks, Max signal, Happiness.

As time goes on you can add higher wattage bricks one by one. Max Watts on one TIU is 720W. (using 4 of the 180 watt Lionel bricks) That's 10 amps per channel on all 4 channels.

I really doubt you will need more than that.

Thank you Trainman9,

Actually it was a train show with varied trains of all different eras being run I have mostly MTH trains though and they wouldn't run because the transformer  that was running wasn't powerful enough to cycle through my MTH trainsounds.

When running a mixed bag train show with new and old trains of mixed types such as Loinel and MTH which is better?

Mike Maurice

I'm not sure I completely understand your question. I thought you wanted information related to your layout not operations at a trains show.

If mixing both non-command as well as command engines, both by the way will run without any thing other than the appropriate transformer, it really depends on the budget. The Atlas and Bachmann 80 watt transformers, they are one and the same, can be had for around $75.00. Lionel CW80's can be found for around $50 at Greenberg and other train shows. I'm guessing the MTH Z1000 is around $100 and the other suggestions are much more expensive.

I just depends on what you plan to run.

Thanks Trainman9!

If you fried a wire going to the track it may not be a transformer problem. You could have a poor connection that caused the wire to heat up. That could also be the reason the other transformers don't work. I would check yoour connections and wire size, just to be safe.

          John

If you have the proper wire size and a properly-sized circuit breaker, you should not have any problems using the old transformer.  A 10 amp breaker and 16 gauge wire would be appropriate for an old ZW.  What type is your old transformer?

The old transformer is not really the problem, the problem is the supply wire, particularly under heavy load (or derailment without the benefit of a quicker breaker).

mike,

I had 3 lionel cw80's and two quit working. I went to mth Z1000, jason's train shop has the best price's I have seen for these. I paid $75 + shipping for mine a year ago.

Are you running command or conventional?  Best bang for the buck for command are the Lionel 180W Powerhouse bricks IMO.  They give a true 180 watts and have excellent electronic breakers. 

I recently read an article/product review in the OGR magazine for the new Lionel transformer and was surprised to learn that not all voltage output wave-forms are created equal (pure sine wave versus some type of clipped sine wave). Unless I'm all wet it sounded like there are some compatibility issues with certain locomotives versus  manufacturer's transformer output wave forms.

I know this has nothing to do with Mike's original problem but is more of a reflection on Trainman's reply. I know my train club had an issue with conventional locomotives not running properly on a layout with DCS and TMCC and apparently solved it by replacing a Lionel transformer with an MRC transformer that puts out a pure sine wave. 

There are some Z4000's running the DCS. 

It would be advantageous if OGR magazine would put an article together comparing the major manufacturers transformers output waveform compatibility/ incompatibility with the various manufacturer's locomotives - Atlas O, Weaver, 3rd Rail, MTH , Lionel etc and conventional , DCS , TMCC, Legacy command control.

Joe

There have been issues with chopped waveform transformers, i.e. electronically controlled outputs.  To my knowledge, you should have no compatibility issues with a pure sine wave track feed with any major brand locomotive.  There was a video by Mike Reagan from Lionel about better smoke output from a chopped wave transformer, but the pure sine wave didn't cause any operational issues.

The article you suggest would be a daunting task, as you'd have to gather virtually every known locomotive and transformer!  You can't count on a lack of compatibility issues for one Legacy locomotive being definitive for all Legacy locomotives, for example.