which transformer to buy Lionel or MTH ?

Your best bet I would say would be a MTH Z1000. Reasonable price and works great on pretty much any brand.  Also has a fast trip breaker to protect your electronics in the event of a derailment.  TrainWorld has them in stock. 

 

The most powerful ready-to-run train set transformer you can find, the Z-1000 boasts 100 watts of power, a U.L. approved design and separate 14v Accessory Ports. Its robust design will provide years of service and power enough to for any starter set to a moderate size layout. Available in many RailKing starter sets or separately, the Z-1000 is the perfect solution for a growing O Gauge layout.

Features - U.L. Approved
- 100 Watts Max Power Output
- Controller LED On Light
- Smooth Operating Throttle Knob
- Built-In Circuit Breaker Protection
- Individual Bell, Horn and Direction Buttons
- 14v Accessory Port
- 60Hz Operation Only - Unit Measures: - Operates On Curves

 

KKNAPPER

Where in NY are you located, If down State maybe you and your grandson can visit our club. See below

You cant go wrong with the MTH Z1000, I have a few on my home layout and they work very well. If you are looking at some of the Lionel Sets I can recommend the Pennys Flyer set. It comes with a transformer

Chris Lonero posted:

 

Your best bet I would say would be a MTH Z1000. Reasonable price and works great on pretty much any brand.  Also has a fast trip breaker to protect your electronics in the event of a derailment.  TrainWorld has them in stock. 

 

 

 

The most powerful ready-to-run train set transformer you can find, the Z-1000 boasts 100 watts of power, a U.L. approved design and separate 14v Accessory Ports. Its robust design will provide years of service and power enough to for any starter set to a moderate size layout. Available in many RailKing starter sets or separately, the Z-1000 is the perfect solution for a growing O Gauge layout.

Features - U.L. Approved
- 100 Watts Max Power Output
- Controller LED On Light
- Smooth Operating Throttle Knob
- Built-In Circuit Breaker Protection
- Individual Bell, Horn and Direction Buttons
- 14v Accessory Port
- 60Hz Operation Only - Unit Measures: - Operates On Curves

 

Thank you Chris and Steve. I had not heard of the MTH Z1000, so i will check it out. But if that would be enough power for both of our Trains on the track , it seems like the way to go. The Lionel Chief Plus came with a remote that controls all of the features. From what i have read , we would just turn on the transformer , put the power handle up and use the remotes for the rest. Can you add multiple Transformers for additional power if ever needed ? Again rookie question. I live in Upstate Steve in Ilion,NY ( near Utica). I see your on the Island.

I bought the GW-180 starting out and now it powers my entire Fastrack layout. Running 3 engines plus rolling stock / passenger cars at once is no issue at all. 

KKNAPPER posted:

Thank you Chris and Steve. I had not heard of the MTH Z1000, so i will check it out. But if that would be enough power for both of our Trains on the track , it seems like the way to go. The Lionel Chief Plus came with a remote that controls all of the features. From what i have read , we would just turn on the transformer , put the power handle up and use the remotes for the rest. Can you add multiple Transformers for additional power if ever needed ? Again rookie question. I live in Upstate Steve in Ilion,NY ( near Utica). I see your on the Island.

I can’t see any problem with running 2 engines on the same track if your using 2 lionchief locomotives. I have 4 Z1000’s running independent loops thru my command control TIU and that includes a Standard gauge line so I think you’ll be OK. 

Z-1000.  I am using 9 of them.  Very decent power.  Some are 14 years old.  

Get a z4000 

When using a Z-1000, will the locomotive speed up or slow down when using the horn or bell button?

When I use the whistle function on my ZW the loco speeds up.

If you were running other than Lionchief those transformers are great.  But if you are just running LC use a 72 watt DC power pack that Lionel sells just for Lionchief and Lienchief plus engines.   I use one on each main line of my 11x17 around the room layout.  Have ran 4 trains on one loop with one power pack.   And the DC power may double or triple the life of your LC and LC+ engines.  Add that they only cost 49.99 and you got a winner!  Plugs directly into Fastrack and you use your factory supplied remote!  The LC sets come with a 54 watt pack that will work on a smaller layout just fine. 

Jim   

To give you an idea of what can be run with a z-1000 brick:

This year on my under tree layout I ran, two trains (with smoke on), 6 lite cars (only two were LED), my 2 loops of Fastack had one command switch(on track power), one Operating/Uncouple Track Section(on track power), and a two small building lights(incandescent).

Since I just purchased the brick this fall I was just happy that it all ran. I don't try to push the limits of the Z1000. Also, I don't think I tried to fire the switch and the Uncoupler at the same time.

Since you seem to be budget conscious, MTH offers a Z1000A. This is what I purchased. It's the same transformer brick as the z1000, it was $25 cheaper. You just don't get the controller for running conventional trains, that you get with the Z1000.

 "I was thinking the Lionel GW-180 180 WATT."

If you buy the Lionel Powerhouse 180 ( I am assuming that is what you meant) it doesn't come with a controller either.  I don't think the new GW180 is available yet, which does come with a controller unit. It has a MSRP of $279.99 in the Lionel 2019 Catalogue.

I do understand from other Forum members that the Powerhouse 180 does have a faster circuit breaker. There  are plenty of threads here on that subject that you can read.

Mark W

Please note what the Lionchief sets come with.   54 watt DC power packs.   And check out the power pack supplied with the Polar Express trolley set!    It is DC also with adjustable voltage output!!   Everything in a LC, LC+, and LC+2.0 is DC.    So if you run any AC transformer you are converting wall power to 18volts AC, to send through a track, into the train to be changed to DC via the bridge rectifier .   Then to be cleaned up via the capacitor.   Only to power DC electronics and motor.      

Then consider the wall pack.   That changed wall power to 18v DC, through the track to the engine that now doesn't have to change anything.   Just run on the DC provided.  While your saving 450.00  Notice there isn't a CW 40 or CW80 in the catalog this year? 

Jim 

Good thing you're a newbie with a simple question. Welcome. You could get a Chevy or a Ford or a Plymouth. Or a Honda or a Camry. Or a Hyundai or a Subaru.

Lots of choices and lots of opinions. Try to figure out what you will need in WATTS. So many engines, so many lighted cars, so many accessories. Then get something that exceeds your requirements by a reasonable amount. It doesn't have to be 400 watts or more. But do get a new model power supply with a fast acting circuit breaker to protect the electronics in your engines. If you are just going to run Lionchief engines, you might save some bucks by just getting a brick (power supply) such as a Lionel 180 or 135 brick. They will supply a constant 18 volts and your remote will  control the engine.

Gerry 

Welcome to the Forum
Tons of great folks ready to help.
I have a CW-80 and I can say without a doubt- DON'T GET ONE OF THESE!  I only use it for my Christmas layout and for bench power but it has been nothing but trouble for me.

I'm planning on picking up a Z-1000 this year. If all of your trains are new and have remotes then the brick power supply is all you need. But if you happen to pick up some older conventional engines then you will need the throttle control.
Bob

PS- The D&H is one of my favorite lines. Love the colors on the locos.

I have several Z1000 bricks powering my layout. No complaints on my end!

Over the years I have purchased many ready to run sets, most with CW-80s and all have worked well. I use several at once plus a ZW.

But if you only want one transformer for the whole layout, get a Z-1000.

Charlie Nassau has it for under a $ 100.

A Lionel Transformer will give your layout / train room “The Wow Factor”

It is the focal point and visitors to your train room will recognize company name: LIONEL, even non train visitors.

The first photo is from Trainworld / Trainland Web Store an OGR Sponsor and you can find a link to them, in the OGR Banner. Lionel maybe phasing this 6-14198 out. You may want to purchase 2 of these at $124,99

The second photo is how it looks in my train room. Lionel 6-14198 next to an older Lionel ZW-L.

Hope this helps: Gary

MTH Z4000 - runs everything!

Two Lionel LionChief or LionChief-Plus trains? An MTH Z1000 will serve your needs quite well, with ample power for some operating accessories as well. My advice would be to avoid the Lionel CW-80. If you guys really get into the hobby and decide to expand, consider an MTH Z4000 or a Lionel ZW.