Transformers lionel KW vs TW

[LL675]

I'd go with the KW. I had a TW and didn't care for it at all. I swapped it for a Prewar V, and run two trains with plenty of power, including lights.

[alank]

Another feature that I like about the KW versus the TW is that it has the ZW roller.   This if in good condition allows for less wear on the coils.  The TW has a slider, and after extended use you can see the ware on the coils.   The roller is easily replaceable.    The TWs strength is in it many voltage outputs.   I used that transformer to power my trains and many other things,  don't know how much load I placed on it, but never had a problem with it overloading.  Today I use A ZW, LWs, 1033s and TWs, plus any little transformers depending on what I am doing.   You just have to know what you are doing, and be aware of the hazards if you try to phase them for running.   I threw lots of sparks the first time I tried using multiple transfomers and ran a train across the insulating pin.   Didn't know what phasing was then, but thought for sure I could do it.   Wasn't till latter on that I learned about phasing and have done it successfully, but I know Bob Nelson is always concerned.  I think the stretch with the DPDT is safer.

[lionelsoni]

The TW is actually two transformers in one box, one for the train, one for accessories.  Lionel said that, "no more than 60 watts, or 4 1/2 to 5 amperes of current at the normal operating voltage, should be drawn continuously from either coil [transformer], to avoid overloading the coils."

For the KW, on the other hand, they said that it "is able to supply continuously approximately 140 wtts of useful power, or approximately 10 amperes of current at normal operating voltage.  The circuit breaker which protects the principal circuits is set to carry that amperage [current]".  Since the circuit breaker is in series with the return, as is usual for Lionel, the breaker will trip when the total current exceeds 10 amperes.

The KW service manual is the only one I know of that carries the warning "that the circuit breaker does not protect binding post combinations A-B...", although this is also true of most other Lionel transformers.

[EIS2]

You would get a total of 175 watts split any way you like.  If you are just using one handle, all 175 watts would be available on that handle. 

Earl

[2356]

 I need a new transformer to power my F3 (2356). The 2 that have caught my eye are the KW and the TW. Both are 175 watt transformers but the KW handles 2 trains and the TW only 1.  Am I correct that since the KW runs two trains it would only put out about 88 watts per train, where as the TW would have all 175 watts available for the one train?  I'm not sure that 88 watts is enough power for the F3 with 5 passenger cars.  What do you think?