What type of transformer should I buy?

Well, you're sure to get a lot of opinions.   A recent good deal I picked up was the MRC Pure Power Dual 270, a takeoff on the PW-ZW only with a modern flair.  A true 270 watts out in two channels, and it has amp and volt meters for each handle, and modern circuit protection.  I picked this up for $125 including shipping, hard to pass up at that price.   If you spot one of those at a good price, it's a very nice transformer.  You can't go wrong with the MTH Z4000, but it's pretty expensive.

The answer depends on many variables:

-how many loops will you have?

-total track footage?

-how many engines running at a time?

-passenger cars?

-DCS, TMCC, or conventional?

-how much do you want to spend?

You could likely get by with a KW or a ZW if Lionel postwar is where you are headed

You can run DCS or TMCC with one or two 135/180 watt bricks.

Rod

Rod my current layout is 5x10... It has 3 loops outside is a o54, middle is a o45 or o42 (I forgot what Atlas makes), and the inside is a o36. I have 2 atlas #5 turnouts to connect the outside and middle and 2 o36 switches to connect the middle to the inside. Inside the inner loop I have another 2 o36 switches for a run around track. I am currently running the Metro North train set with 6 cars, I don't know what my future holds in rolling stock but i'm leaning towards mainly all subway. I really don't have a budget for the power but I want to get something that should be more then enough.

How many independent voltage controls are you thinking you'll need?  You may be better off with a couple of transformers.  One of the "sweet spots" in Lionel post-war transformers as far as dollars per watt is the KW.  I've bought those on eBay for $30-40 and put about $10 worth of parts and a little elbow grease into them and ended up with a nice transformer.

Like John says the KW is pretty good bang for the buck.

Also the ZW would be a good choice, and can be had for $100 or less.

The KW is rated at 190 watts and the ZW at 275 watts.

The ZW has 4 variable outputs. Two are nice for track control, and the other two are nice for switch power or accessories.

If command operation is in your future, either will serve you well.

Rod

I currently have a 80watt transformer which came with the Metro North set. I looked up what you 2 recommended and they look great. However I was curious if they made a transformer where all you have to do is run all the wires to it and that is its main function. Basically I am trying to eliminate a controller that can also run the train the tradition way since I plan on going with proto equipped rollingstock in the future.

I had been using the postwar Lionel ZW's and like the guys said that is great because you have the four posts two of which you can use for switches and ad on's. I had a major fine about 2yrs aago at a yard sale for $5 and all it needed was a new plug. At a recent train show I saw several of them anywhere from $150-250. For alittle more money you can't go wrong with the MTH Z4000. I recently bought a new one from Jason Trains for $390 which was the best price I found. Either of those are great in my opinion. Good hunting.

You can use Lionel 135 watt or 180 watt bricks, or MTH Z750 or Z1000 bricks.

All produce about 18-20 VAC fixed output and eliminate the controller entirely.

Rod

Rod's correct if all you want is constant voltage.  I have the Lionel Powerhouse 180 bricks feeding the TIU.  I was under the impression you wanted a transformer for conventional running since you don't have the DCS system yet.

The transformer bricks alone are only for command operation, you need a voltage control for any of your conventional engines.

John I am most likely going to go with the system you are using. I saw the adapter online which goes from the Lionel 180watt brick to the TIU. That should be more then enough power for the time being for the layout. As funds become available I am starting up my subway fleet so everything will be controlled through the remote.

One positive of the DCS system is you can have variable voltage control of two of the channels from the remote to run conventional stuff.  I have dual banana plugs to move from the fixed to the variable to run conventional.  You can also simply switch from the remote and run both command and conventional with the variable channel.

The adapter from the Lionel PH180 to the TIU is just a Molex connector and a dual banana plug on the other end, I built mine.

Bano7384,

    Got to agree with these gentlemen, both the KW & ZW are darn good choices for your power supply, especially for running your switches.  In fact I use one of each

on my layout for powering switches and operating street cars.

The DCS operates well when powered by them also, make sure you use 10 Amp breakers with them however, the ZW & KW both have slow blowing internal breakers.  I am not big on bricks, because you can not very the votage output with them for running older Tin Plate Conventional switches, other runners like them however.  The great thing about the KW is that you can usually pick up a completely rebuilt one for about $75.00, in fact I just did this at the last train show here in Monroeville, Pa, from Ace's Train Crossing 412-213-0610. The KW operates like brand new and he stands behind his work.  The ZW will usually cost you another $25.00 to $50.00, but delivers a lot more power.  Both these good transformers are available at a reasonable cost.

PCRR/Dave

My fair sized layout is powered by 1 Z4K, 2 ZW's and 2 KW's, you can see 4 of the 5

in the picture below.

I think someone has a z4000 listed for sale on this forum for a decent price.  I just bought one on flea bay for about 350 shipped.  I'm new, and it may be overkill, but I don't think I will have to worry about power for a long while.

Filmcarp,

   The one thing you will find out is that you can always use more power!

The never ending engineering expansion is an addiction in the O Gauge train world.

PCRR/Dave