Wireing for legacy and cw 80

How big is your double loop?,anthing bigger than say a 4x4 and you probably are short on power especially if your running two trains at the same time. Make sure you have the throttle set all the way full.

The power requirement is determined only by the type of train(s) you are running. The CW-80 should be capable of running most moderate-sized passenger trains with modern engines. If you are running 2 trains, maybe not.
What are you using for wiring to the track?

22 gauge wire attached to Lionel accesory wire.

The layout is 12 x 5

Thats a rather large layout to power with a cw-80, I would consider a larger transformer when you can upgrade, in the meantime I would upgrade to at least 16ga wire, that will help get more of what power you have to the track.

I had no problems with CW-80 on my first Legacy layout (20 X 10 inner and outer loops, with a climbing loop and trestle) I ran two freight trains, both double engine consists, 10 cars on each. Sometimes a single engine passenger train instead of one of the freights. Half dozen fastrack remote switches. One connection to track with the short wires (probably 18 gauge) supplied with the Lionel terminal section kit. I ran mostly at speed step 80 and below, never past 110 step. Nothing tripped or got warm.
As you add more track, loops, engines, accessories, etc., I recommend getting a ZW. Then you can have 4 power blocks and keep your engines unpowered that are not being used.

I will try and go with single connection tomorrow when I get back to the layouts... We will see what happens hopefully it works. Other wise can i just add another CW-80 to get the power I need?

If you're not creating separate power districts, you want one transformer, do NOT try to parallel two CW-80 transformers!

What should I do then buy a bigger transformer? or should I buy the lionel 180 watt power bricks?

Personally, I'd probably go for the 180W PowerMaster and a TMCC Direct Lockon.

A 180w brick would be plenty,you can then use your cw-80 to power any accessories, thats what I did. In fact I have 2 cw-80s that came with sets I purchased early on. I now wire my accessories to the throttle side of each and this allows me to adjust for the recommended accessory voltage, usually 12-14 volts. A cw-80s overall lower voltage is more accessory friendly.

Hey Guys,

I have three independent loops in a 12 x 11 room.... If I jump into Legacy, do I still use three different power sources? (One transformer per loop or three different posts if I have a ZW?) And then just use one Legacy controller and run it to the outside rail of all three loops?



Robert W.

You can use your ZW and connect it using one of the outputs, the full power is available at any of the outputs. You can still break the layout up into power districts if you like.

Robert, do you want to run in both Conventional and Command modes? If you want to retain conventional control of each of the loops with the remote control, you will need power controllers (preferably TPCs or a modern ZW with 4 controllers inside) for each of the loops.

Dale if I understand you correctly I will need three TPC'S (one for each loop)?

Robert W
If you have the modern ZW with four outputs that is all you need. (I assume you have at least two 180 watt bricks attached to the ZW.) Use three of the outputs for the three loops and you have an extra one left for accessories or a fourth loop. Hook the Legacy wire to the ZW common.
You can still run conventional since the ZW voltage can be independently controlled on each loop.

I have a post war ZW ... currently I'm using two CW-80's and a Z-1000 to power my conventional engines. One powers each loop... my room is only 11 x 11 ... I used the z-1000 to power the longest loop and the cw's to power my others.