MTH Z-4000 ???

[GPJ68]

Got a chance to pick up a used Z-4000 for a little less than 1/2 the new list price. The down side is that it's not currently on a layout - the enthusiast who used it passed away and his wife has been selling his large train collection thru a small local antique mall for the past several months. She knows nothing about it except that it was supposed to be working before he moved on to the Great Switch Yard above. Unit is in excellent physical shape, powers up as it should (no blinking lights or missing/odd readings on the meters), and jumps to 10-11 volts when the levers are moved off zero (as it should according to the manual when there's no load present). Unfortunately I still don't have a layout setup to test it myself - stuck in benchwork h**l right now.

My questions are:
- Are all Z-4000's (since day 1 of production) the same?
- Do Z-4000's have any irregular quality control or reliablility issues?
- Will new engines (like my Williams) respond smoothly when operating conventionally, or are there still problems with jerky/fast starts as has been reported with many PW Lionel transformers (with no layout yet, I STILL haven't run them with the old KW - just going on past reports of problems from other enthusiasts).
- Does it look like the Z-4000 is a transformer that'll last a long time (as so many PW Lionel units have), or will the electronics it uses potentially result in an early burnout?
- Am I correct in assuming the Z has fast acting breakers for short protection from derails, etc.?
- Anything else worth noting on the Z-4000?

DCS holds zero interest to me, so easy expansion of the Z for DCS is no reason to buy it. On the other hand, having a remote control set available for the Z does, since I think this would be helpful in diagnosing track, turnout, and other problems right at the source rather than from standing back at the transformer. TMCC may be considered well on down the road, but not in the forseeable future. I also don't have any MTH engines, nor am I be likely to ever acquire one (unless a "deal-of-the-lifetime" comes along on one in my preferred liveries).

Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I have seen discussion about some initial Z-4000 problems. I cannot remember the specifics for certain but I believe there were some initial problems with the fan and maybe the handles. The problems have been fixed for a long time. You will probably need to determine when it was manufactured to verify if it was one of the initial models that had problems. This could be determined by the serial number and an e-mail to MTH. I have a Z-4000 that I purchased new and has performed flawlessly for a year. The remote control can quit working if the screws holding the case together are tightened down too tight. I think it pinches the antennae.

The unit has an electronic circuit breaker that is reliable.

Someone with more detailed knowledge will probably reply.

[Anonymous]

I have the first edition Z 4000. I've only had one problem. One of the circuit breakers went bad. MTH sent me replacements and I put them in myself. I have had no further problems, knock on wood. I should point out that I use the MTH Remote Commander with my Z 4000 --- three of them actually --- and that fact probably reduces quite a bit of the wear and tear on the transformer...as regards the wear on the levers and the push buttons. I like the transformer very much. I run Williams and MTH PS 1 and 2. I use it only for track power. Lights and turnouts are powered with three Lionel 1033's and one Postwar ZW. John

[Anonymous]

One more thought. I have noticed that the majority of O gauge layouts at train shows are utilizing MTH Z-4000 transformers. I have never inquired why but I think I will ask at the next train show I go to.

[Anonymous]

I can tell you why. They are absolutely 100% reliable. Because of the fan, they never get hot. Our club got tired of frying eggs on the tops of the old ZW's and bought Z4000's to replace them. The old ZW's also had whistle controller problems that the new transformers did not. When you blow the whistle, the trains don't slow down or speed up as the case may be depending on whether it is a post war whistle of a new electronic whistle. The Z4000's also have built in bell buttons that the old ZW's didn't. The Z4000's also have built in volt and amp meters that really help when running trains.
Overall a really great transformer.