lionelsoni The 6-65572 track that Charlie found is O-31 profile, which is 1/4-inch higher than O27-profile, has larger pins, and costs more. K-Line, before they were bought by Lionel, made O72 curves in O27 profile. Wes, I could be wrong; but high-up around-the-walls loops don't usually grow the way down-low layouts do.
The 6-65572 track that Charlie found is O-31 profile, which is 1/4-inch higher than O27-profile, has larger pins, and costs more. K-Line, before they were bought by Lionel, made O72 curves in O27 profile.
Wes, I could be wrong; but high-up around-the-walls loops don't usually grow the way down-low layouts do.
Bob Nelson
Sorry to disagree on the one post ... but if you're planning on expansion of track ... more engines and accessories ... which I'm sure you will be in the future .... the 80w transformer is not going to cut it . That's probably what the hobby store guy meant ..... not just for the track power . They were intended for just what Lionel sold them in sets for ... a basic power supply to get the set running .
lionelsoniGood idea, Dorian. O42 would need some cutting, since the sections are 30 degrees. But O54 and O72 (if he can still find some) are 22.5 degrees and would fit nicely. The middle section of the curve could also be Marx O34.
Good idea, Dorian. O42 would need some cutting, since the sections are 30 degrees. But O54 and O72 (if he can still find some) are 22.5 degrees and would fit nicely. The middle section of the curve could also be Marx O34.
Just went to lionel.com & they list 072 tubular track (6-65572) new at $6.29 each.
Charlie
I found some here for $2.70 a peice: http://www.westerndepot.com/product_info.php/products_id/4803. I also found some other strange looking K-line tracks that I've never seen before. Like their 90 degree crossover, and a peice of O27 straight track with a full length grade crossing. Very peculiar. I also never knew that they made any S guage track. Here's a picture of one:
I got a few Google hits just now for "k line" "k 0226", which is the K-Line number for a box of O27-profile O72 track. Maybe they have some new old stock.
Danedog Does anyone know what watt transformer I should use for my O gauge train to run it around a 13ft. by 17 ft room around the ceiling. It is the lionel rio grande with train sounds. I know that the set comes with the cw 80 watt transformer but I was talking to a guy at a hobby shop and he said he was afraid that it would not have enough juice, that the further the train got away from the transformer that it would slow down and then once it got closer it would pick up speed again. He seemed to think the MRC 027 100 watt transformer would work well and also it has the buttons for the bell and whistle and stuff like that. I should mention that I don't have the complete set or a transformer at all now.
Does anyone know what watt transformer I should use for my O gauge train to run it around a 13ft. by 17 ft room around the ceiling. It is the lionel rio grande with train sounds. I know that the set comes with the cw 80 watt transformer but I was talking to a guy at a hobby shop and he said he was afraid that it would not have enough juice, that the further the train got away from the transformer that it would slow down and then once it got closer it would pick up speed again. He seemed to think the MRC 027 100 watt transformer would work well and also it has the buttons for the bell and whistle and stuff like that.
I should mention that I don't have the complete set or a transformer at all now.
Well O42 and 54 are still in production, but like you said 72 diameter o27 track would take some time to find. I think only K-line has ever made such track, for that is all I've ever seen.
In my opinion, since you're not going to see the track, and in my understanding that berkshire runs on O27, why not just use that? And as for the curves, just use O42 or O54 sections on the outside, and O27 on the inside. That would also make wiring slightly easier, as you just need to buy about 6 or so lockons.
servoguy This is a perfect example of who not to listen to. The hobby shop guy you talked to has no understanding of electricity. The size of the transformer you need is determined by the current draw for the engine and any lighted cars or accessories. The length of the track does not influence the transformer selection. The hobby shop guy is correct in that if you don't provide adequate feeds for the track, your engine may slow down due to voltage drop in the track. However, buying a larger transformer does not fix this problemTell us what kind of track you are going to use, and we can advise you on how to wire it so that you won't have a voltage drop problem. Bruce Baker
This is a perfect example of who not to listen to. The hobby shop guy you talked to has no understanding of electricity.
The size of the transformer you need is determined by the current draw for the engine and any lighted cars or accessories. The length of the track does not influence the transformer selection. The hobby shop guy is correct in that if you don't provide adequate feeds for the track, your engine may slow down due to voltage drop in the track. However, buying a larger transformer does not fix this problem
Tell us what kind of track you are going to use, and we can advise you on how to wire it so that you won't have a voltage drop problem.
Bruce Baker
challenger3980Hi Danedog, I haven't yet Welcomed You to the forum, so, Welcome to the Forum. I have the Union Pacific Steam Fast Freight set, which is the same set except, You guessed it, it has a Union Pacific Locomotive and rolling stock. I really like the set. The CW-80 is a Great transformer (unless trying to run MTH PS2 locomotives). The CW 80 should be plenty of transformer for that set. the ceiling layout you describe is approximately 60 feet of track, you will likely want to run some "BUS" wires around the layout, maybe 14 gauge wire, and then connect feeders to the track at several points around the layout to avoid VOLTAGE DROP, which is NOT something that simply getting a larger transformer will fix, but adding adequate feeders(much cheaper anway, BTW) can fix. How many feeders, and where you put them will depend some what on what kind of track you use, and how good the electrical connections are between each section of track. I Really like the Berkshire that heads up that set, they are Good looking and running locomotives. One little Quirk about them though is they tend to have a slight start up delay, when starting from a stop. To start one smoothly, ease up the throttle slowly, until you see a slight movement in the wheels or running gear, then throttle up from there. If you just throttle up too quickly, it will start with a lurch, which is very easy to avoid, once you are familiar with your locomotive. I have several of these of my own, and have given several to my Nephews, all were the same. The CW-80 transformer, is a very good transformer, that has a very low minimum starting voltage. Many transformers such as Lionel's Famed ZW(both post-war and new) as well as the MTH Z-series transformers all have higher starting voltages(around 6 volts, I believe) which with many, especially smaller, locomotives is too high for smooth starts, or slow running. The CW-80 also has an adjustable voltage accessory output, which is also a nice feature. I have had very good luck with my sets like this, and would Highly reccomend it, it is a Great set, that I expect You would enjoy very much. Doug
Hi Danedog,
I haven't yet Welcomed You to the forum, so, Welcome to the Forum.
I have the Union Pacific Steam Fast Freight set, which is the same set except, You guessed it, it has a Union Pacific Locomotive and rolling stock. I really like the set. The CW-80 is a Great transformer (unless trying to run MTH PS2 locomotives). The CW 80 should be plenty of transformer for that set. the ceiling layout you describe is approximately 60 feet of track, you will likely want to run some "BUS" wires around the layout, maybe 14 gauge wire, and then connect feeders to the track at several points around the layout to avoid VOLTAGE DROP, which is NOT something that simply getting a larger transformer will fix, but adding adequate feeders(much cheaper anway, BTW) can fix. How many feeders, and where you put them will depend some what on what kind of track you use, and how good the electrical connections are between each section of track.
I Really like the Berkshire that heads up that set, they are Good looking and running locomotives. One little Quirk about them though is they tend to have a slight start up delay, when starting from a stop. To start one smoothly, ease up the throttle slowly, until you see a slight movement in the wheels or running gear, then throttle up from there. If you just throttle up too quickly, it will start with a lurch, which is very easy to avoid, once you are familiar with your locomotive. I have several of these of my own, and have given several to my Nephews, all were the same.
The CW-80 transformer, is a very good transformer, that has a very low minimum starting voltage. Many transformers such as Lionel's Famed ZW(both post-war and new) as well as the MTH Z-series transformers all have higher starting voltages(around 6 volts, I believe) which with many, especially smaller, locomotives is too high for smooth starts, or slow running. The CW-80 also has an adjustable voltage accessory output, which is also a nice feature.
I have had very good luck with my sets like this, and would Highly reccomend it, it is a Great set, that I expect You would enjoy very much.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
I Agree with what Bruce said.
A larger transformer might be needed if you add accssories, or want to run more or different trains. For example, I have a Texas Special passenger train that has all the bells and whistles - Legacy, two motors, two smoke units, sound system and lighted coaches. When I tried to run it using a CW80, I had to choose what features to use. It would smoke and light the coaches, but trip the breaker when I tried to run the train, OR, it would run with smoke, but no coach lights, OR, it would run with coach lights and no smoke. Length of track or the location of the train on the track did not matter. Had to get a bigger transformer to run everything.
Good luck, and keep asking questions.
If the train slows down, it's because there is too much voltage drop in the track and not so much because your transformer is underpowered. With good track joints or feeder wires to supplement the track, you should be able to use the transformer that you have if it works for you on a smaller loop.
If you find that it slows down after you set up the layout, just run a couple of heavy wires, 14 AWG minimum, around alongside the track and connected to it every so often. You can get "building wire" in 14, 12, and 10 AWG at any home-improvement store, solid or stranded--it doesn't matter which electrically--by the foot in a variety of colors.
You will find that you can get the track closer to the wall and use a narrower shelf if you use spiral curves in the corners. Start and end each corner turn with a long-radius curve, then put a short-radius section in the middle. This gets the train away from the wall a little bit before the back ends of the locomotive and cars swing out in the sharper part of the turn. It looks better too and doesn't take up much more corner room than a single-radius turn.
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