As you can see from the other posts, you have a number of options. At minimum, I would go with the 1033 (90W) or better. Regardless of which you go with, make sure the power cord is not cracking as this tends to happen over time. New cords are easy to solder on. It is also important to know the power needs. As you put bigger trains on, or if your rolling stock is older with more resistance to movement, it will draw more power. Also, if you have any pieces with lighting such as passenger cars, they will have a higher draw. I would suggest that if you have a train repair place near by, take your engine and tender to have them serviced. If not, you can look up some information here and elsewhere on doing a service on them. Also, you should clean the wheel sets and oil the axles.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Santa Claus brought me my first locomotive, a whistling Lionel 2026, in 1951. I was three at the time.
The set came with a 1033 transformer that performed perfectly for many Christmases thereafter. In fact, I can see both the 1033 and the 2026 as I type, and both still look and run as well as the day I got them.
In other words, a 1033 should do just fine for you.
Your choice of which transformer to purchase is a big decision. A year ago I broke down and bought a 400 watt MTH Z-4000 transformer for my new and larger layout. I have been very pleased with this transformer. I feel that for your locomotive and cars an MTH Z-1000 transformer would be great. This unit is perfect for small layouts and sets the size of yours. It would also be good for Christmas Tree layouts.
Bob.
Toy Trains, they are not just an adventure, they are a way of life !
If you are going to buy a postwar transformer the KW or ZW have the best watt ratings. The ZW has a 275 watt rating and the KW has a 190 watt rating, however the KW has accessory voltage outputs that the ZW doesn't have.
The VW is rated at 150 watts but that is very low power when running two or more trains at once.
The newer CW-80 may not operate postwar whistling tenders, not sure about that.
Lee F.
Most postwar transformers should run your engine just fine. The main thing is to find one with a built-in whistle controller. Any transformer with that feature will also have sufficient wattage to run the engine you have. 1033 or 1044 will both work just fine. So should the RW, LW, TW and SW. If you want to get something rather larger than you need (for future expansion) there is the KW, the VW and (the ultimate) ZW.
It is important to get a transformer from an individual or a shop who knows how to test and service them and will vouch for the ones they sell. The voltage control part is relatively foolproof, but the whistle controller will sometimes break. Sometimes it will be advertised that the "rectifier" in the whistle controller has been replaced with a diode. This is a good thing, as the diode does a better job at producing the DC charge used to operate the whistle than the rectifiers which were available during the postwar era.
I need some expert advise. I want to make my Lionel train set from my childhood operational for my 2 1/2 year old son for the holidays. I cannot find my old transformer, but I believe it looked like a Lionel 1033 transformer. I have a Lionel 2035 2-4-6 diecast steam locomotive and a Lionel 6466W Lionel Lines operating whistle tender. They are 7 other cars I have for this set. But from what I've read those 2 trains are important when trying to match-up a transformer. Any recommendations on a transformer would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!!
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