Time for a Pre-Postwar Power Upgrade

[NNJRailfan]

I run pre-war, post-war and modern (non-digital) trains on my layout.  It's only 4'x8' with tubular rail now, but I plan to expand to about twice that with modern track.  I want something reliable that provides enough reliable power for both post-war and modern track switches and accessories too.  Of the power supplies produced in the last 20 years, what will work for me?  TMCC?  Legacy?  Lionchief?  Keep in mind total costs too, I ain't no millionaire.  Thanks!

[ADCX Rob]

TMCC, Legacy & Lionchief are control systems, not power supplies.

If you are just expanding your trackage and square footage, whatever you are using now should be fine on 8'x8' as with 4'x'8' unless you're adding a significant amount of lighted switches with incandescant bulbs.

[NNJRailfan]

Upgrading for reliability is one of my main concerns.  I'm currently using a 50+ year old Lionel 1033.  While it works, the output can be iffy at times.  I'd also like to go wireless.

Nevertheless, I'll rephrase my question:  which is the most affordable contemporary system that works well with pre- and post-war locomotives and accessories?

[ADCX Rob]

Your 1st logical step would be to move to TMCC conventional - CAB-1 remote, PM-1 PowerMaster, and a PH-1 Powerhouse(all readily available). That would about double your available power for train control to 7amps(minimum with the PH-1 135), and you can relegate your 1033 to use for accessory power.

This will give you hand-held remote control of your trains with power to spare. The PM-1 has 32 speed steps for controlling track voltage and has bell & whistle functions, programmable stall speed, programmable momentum, a really decent electronic circuit breaker, and system shut down with the "Halt" button. All pretty nice features to have with older trains.

Once this is all up & running, you can add a TMCC Base at any time if you acquire any TMCC Command equipped items(switch & accessory controllers, Command accessories, Command FasTrack switches, etc.). TMCC will also run "Legacy" equipment with the limitation that "Legacy-only" features are not accessible until you upgrade to Legacy or CAB-1L gear.

[NNJRailfan]

Rob, this sounds perfect, thanks! 

I've read that any transformer can be substituted for the PH1.  Do you know what the limitations might be with one of the more powerful controllers, such as the TW (135 watts), KW, etc? 

[Firelock76]

If you want to keep it simple and run conventional as I do, let me recommend the MTH Z-1000 transformers.  I use three on my 4X8 layout and my modern and post-war units run perfectly with them. 

I don't bother with TMCC or DCS, I run in closed loops and as far as I'm concerned on a 4X8 what's the point? 

 

[ADCX Rob]

NNJRailfan

...Do you know what the limitations might be with one of the more powerful controllers, such as the TW (135 watts), KW, etc? 

The TW, while rated at 175 watts(input) is limited by architecture to only about 65-70 watts output from any circuit, or about 4.5-5 amps. It would work, but you would run out of power quickly.

The KW rated at 190 watts(input)would be ideal, and that's what I frequently use to power the PM-1 bricks. I use the 20 volt D-U posts for input which provides more amperage(7-8 amps continuous) than the PowerMaster 135(#12867) needs, so there is a safe overhead here and it works great. If using a Z or ZW, that would work as well, but you still get just 135 watts / 7 amps from the PM-1.

The newer 24130 PowerMaster is switchable 135/180 watts if you have a ZW, Type Z, or 180 watt PowerHouse brick to power it with to get 10 amps to the track.