Bob,
Thanks for the info, as I am not sure about pre-war standard gauge trains, also the Greenberg's pocket price guide don't give that much information at times about an item. I have seen a few pre-war tenders in O gauge that have a whistle, but due to age the whistle unit needs work.
I mentioned the MTH Z-750 or Z-1000 because they have a 21 volt output, and will probally run pre-war trains better than some of the other current transformers that are made today.
Lee F.
Thanks for all the advice guys, I think I have enough info now to go ahead and find a transformer and lock-on. Again, Thanks so much.
Lee, he shouldn't need a whistle controller with a prewar boxcab electric like the 318E.
Bob Nelson
I only suggested the power connector as the ease of hooking up trains and wiring till they get more comfortable with it as the starting statement indicated they new nothing about trains. So was trying to make it easier on them. Yes you can solder the wires to the track.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
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Just for your info, I know of a hobby shop in Jupiter FL that is trying to sell some standard gauge (MTH re-production of Lionel's standard gauge track) track, it is just like Lionel's track but a differant name.
With pre-war trains you don't need a lighted power lock-on to go to the track. Just two wires straight from the transformer to the track will work, be sure that the center rail gets one wire and the outside rail gets the other wire.
Don't buy a power lock-on for Super O track, as that is a special type of O gauge track.
Like Bob N. mentioned, you may need a powerful transformer to run your trains with. The post-war Z by Lionel is a good powerful transformer, but without whistle or direction buttons. The Z-750 and Z-1000 by MTH put out 21 volts, and have whistle & bell features.
I live near West Palm Beach FL and have been to Ft. Myers, there is a nice size hobby shop in the downtown area and they should be able to help you. Sarasota has only very small shops that I won't go back to, because they are high priced for junk items and won't let you test anything.
The MTH item # is 11-99021 this is O Gauge/Standard Gauge Tinplate Track Lighted Lockon now you need to call local hobby shops and see if they have one in stock and how much in 2009 it sold for $4.99 this is what you need to hook wire to your track.
The transformer Bob showed above is an ideal transformer for what you need also.
There are several auctions for type Zs on Ebay, like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-Type-Z-250-Watt-4-Train-Transformer-EX-/300488776672?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item45f686dbe0
I'm at work and can't access ebay but you need to remember you have standard gauge train set not O so you need one for standard gauge MTH sells one that is for both that lights up when I get home tonight about 4PM will try to help you find one on ebay.
I will also send you and email tonight where we can talk to each other via phone and I can help you that way I'm in Columbia S.C. but use to live in bradonton/sarasota area of FL. and went down to punta Gorda once in a while also In fact I might have the track lock on you need by MTH as I have Standard gauge trains set also and normally don't use it.
Bill
Is this the "power lock on" I need? eBay link
Thanks!
Fair enough, can you recommend a solid transformer for me then? Again thanks for the help.
I don't know about your specifice locomotive; but prewar locomotives tend to want more voltage than many later transformers were designed for. The types V (150 watts) and Z (250 watts) are pretty safe choices, since they go up to 25 volts. They were sold both before and after the war.
The CW-80 is problematical, especially if bought through E-bay. The early models were wired strangely and often failed very early in their lives. You can find advice on how to tell which model you're bidding on by searching the forum. The CW-80 puts out only 18 volts, which may be too low for you, and is not very powerful at 80 watts.
As for wire, you can use any kind as long as it is heavy enough to carry the current that the transformer's circuit breaker is set for. That's 14 AWG for 15 amperes (Z, for example), 16 AWG for 10 amperes, 18 AWG for 7 amperes (V, for example) and 20 AWG for 5 amperes (CW-80, for example).
eepeterson okay, so I can probably grab a CW-80 off of eBay. Does it come with the wires i'll need to hook it to the track? What is the "power lock-on" you mentioned? Is that something on the engine that need to touch the track in order to get power? What does it look like? I'm in southwest FL, but the engine seems in really good shape, I'm guessing it's okay without lubrication. Is that a bad choice? yes thats a bad choice. Thanks for the information thus far. Very helpful...
okay, so I can probably grab a CW-80 off of eBay. Does it come with the wires i'll need to hook it to the track?
What is the "power lock-on" you mentioned? Is that something on the engine that need to touch the track in order to get power? What does it look like?
I'm in southwest FL, but the engine seems in really good shape, I'm guessing it's okay without lubrication. Is that a bad choice? yes thats a bad choice.
Thanks for the information thus far. Very helpful...
You normally want to put a light oil and white greese on a engine that has sat for a period of time.
Power lock on connects to the track.
This is also Standard Gauge train set. If you don't have a track clip of some type you can make the wire go in the track where the pins from the connecting piece and then hook the 2 wires to the red and black or A and B on the transformer.
not sure exactly where you are but I use to live in Sarasota and I think if I remember right naples ,FL isn't that far. south and lakeland north east might be a bit closer but both have hobby shops that might be able to help you a bit more.
it sounds like you got a real nice set.
I'm in southwest FL, but the engine seems in really good shape, I'm guessing it's okay without lubrication. Is that a bad choice?
Hi,
First of all, congrats on a great set! I would recommend at least a 100 watt transformer although Lionel's CW-80 is serviceable. Before you even try to run it, make it is greased and oiled properly. The gears on the engine need grease and other moving parts need light oil. You might want to check to see if the drive wheels on the engine have "swelled" up or look as if they have cracks in them. If so, they need to be replaced. Check the wiring to make sure the insulation is good as well and that there are no loose connections. Clean the track with some Scotch brite cleaning pads to knock off the dirt and rust. If you are reluctant to do any of this, find someone who can do maintenance and repair. If you post where approximately you live, perhaps some one close to you can refer you to a good place to go.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
I would venture to guess that you will need a 70 watt or higher watt rated AC transformer(Lionel CW-80, MTH Z-750, or MTH Z-1000). Was able to find out that your engine is a standard gauge and is an 0-4-0 steam engine from the late 1920's or 30's. Mainly I would say that you will need to lube the axles on the engine and wheels on the cars.
The 318E is an early version of electric reverse units with Lionel trains, so I think it should use AC power. Don't know if your tender has a whistle unit or not, as I am not familiar with that early a Lionel set.
Run one wire to the center rail(red terminal or letter A or B) and the other wire(from the black terminal or letter U) to an outside rail, hopefully you have the power lock-on from Lionel or Ives to use. For power hook-up to the tracks, if you don't have a power lock-on you can substitute Gargraves power clips for O gauge track or you can solder wires directly to the bottom of the rails, but make sure that you are an inch away from any crossties.
I was given an old lionel set by my father-in-law to set for my children. The set came wit curved track and the locomotive and three matching cars. ANyway, my question is about setting the train & track up. The set came with no instruction or manual.
What do I need for a transformer? I figure I can grab a used one off of eBay...
Once I have a transformer, how do I connect it and get the train working?
Sorry about the newbie questions, but I never had trains growing up :)
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