Transformer Advice

[Anonymous]

I am finally getting ready to complete my 8 X 15 layout and need some advice on the transformers. A little background: I have a separate upper loop that is about 4 X 8 for my wife's Christmas village, and on the lower main section of tracks I will be running 2 trains with block wiring (2 loops that connect with switches). It is really a simple layout...with about 6 switches and a couple sidings.

I currently have a Lionel CW-80 (pretty new), K-line Power Cheif 120W (new), and a Lionel ZW 275W. I plan on keeping the 80 watt lionel to run the upper loop, and the ZW for the bottom 2 and the accessories. The ZW was my wife's great-uncles, and I just ordered a rebuild kit for it since it does need a new cord (I have used it on part of the layout that's finished and it works okay).

I am concerned about a couple things around the ZW: getting the sounds with the modern trains (we have a K-line engine with Railsounds, and an MTH with Proto 2) since it lacks a bell button. Plus I want to ensure that everything will be safe for my son to use.

I have considered selling the ZW and the K-line on ebay and buying either a MTH 400 watt transformer or two of the MTH 100 watt transformers. It would eliminate the need for additional buttons and fuses for the ZW, but would it really be worth the cost? 

 

[willpick]

This is just my personal opinion, probably not worth too much. I'd refurbish the ZW and use it for the lower loops. Buy 2 lionel bell button(they aren't that expensive), get the inline fuseholders and fuses(again not too expensive), and you'll be good to go. Use the Power Chief for the upper loop, and keep the CW80 in reserve.

            Your other option(selling the ZW & K-Line) and buying 2 Z1000's or a Z4000 is to me the better option. The Z1000's will have enough power, and the bell/whistle buttons are reliable. And, the power connections from the transformer to the controller/ controller to the track are simple and safe---

HTH--

[phillyreading]

What brand of trains do you intend to run, Lionel or MTH?  I would stay with the ZW and get the bell/whistle buttons if Lionel.

If you want to run a TMCC equipped locomotive you need the TMCC system.    If running MTH's PS-2  you will need the DCS system.  If not running MTH don't get the Z4000, it is around $400.00 for one and it runs two trains & has two accesssory outputs.   The Z1000 is about $85.00 and has horn & whistle buttons on it, no accessory outputs.

From my perspective just stay with the older ZW and add the horn/whistle control and some circuit breakers to bring the ZW up to date as they work great with just some maintenance work every few years. Also the money you save can go toward rolling stock or a new locomotive.

Lee F.