I am starting a reconditioning of my childhood 1947 vintage Lionel train. I have a Type R 110 watt Trainmaster transformer. Unfortunately I did not keep any manuals and I have no wiring instructions for hookup to the track and the controller. Any help would be appreciated.
There are various ways to connect it; but the two most likely are:
Use A as the common, that is, connected to the outside rails. Then you will have independently variable voltages at C and F of 14-24 volts. This is rather high for most locomotives; so you probably won't want to do it this way. But, if you do, you will get fixed voltages of 8 volts at B, 14 volts at D, and 24 volts at E, all relative to A.
Use B as the common. Then the variable voltages at C and F will be 6-16 volts; and the fixed voltages will be 8 at A, 6 at D, and 16 at E, all relative to B.
Bob Nelson
That transformer is a bit of an "odd duck", I looked at the transformer schematic on Olsen's database, but I've never had one, so I didn't know for sure exactly how you'd wire it.
Since you mention Olsen's, here is what they've got: http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=659 . Actually, it's not even a schematic, but rather a wiring diagram. The information I posted above, I gleaned from this: http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=630 .
Thanks for your help. This will get me started.
hi , You seem to have the most info on this transformer.
I recieved one from my moms attic, and am trying to make it go for my son.
I have it connected as 2 to a and 1 to c, and it works kinds.
the train goes very fast, and you cannot control the speed or stop the train.
My thinking is the trans former ( many moons old) pot is shot, or the engine (70's) is not recieving control.
The engine is lionel with no series markings.
help please , my kids is young and all over me
It sounds like the contact arm has become loose on the shaft and is not turning with the handle. See here for repair: http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/transfmr%5Cps4.pdf
It is possible the voltage control shaft may need to be replaced if the casting has started to break and will no longer hold the contact arm in place.
Larry
Try wiring to B and C rather than to A and C.
Bobby B,
I have a Type R transformer powering my Christmas tree layout (three trains plus track accessories). The Type R has worked great for years, even if only seasonally.
If possible, I would suggest finding a copy of Greenberg's Repair and Operating Manual for Lionel Trains 1945 - 1969. (You can probably find a good used copy on Amazon.com at a reasonable price. BTW, it's a very handy manual to own.) Page 575 has a pictorial wiring diagram of the transformer while page 536 (lower left corner of table) indicates the voltages for various circuits if using A, B or D as the "common" or "ground" post.
Olsen's library has both of those pages.
Diagram of R wiring: http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/transfmr/psr.pdf
Chart of common grounds: http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/transfmr/ps6.pdf
(But I agree completely with Oscar's advice that you -- and everyone with postwar trains -- get a copy of the Greenberg manual. It reprints many of the Lionel Service Manual pages, and it has quite a few that Olsen's does not include in their library.)
Edit: Which I belately notice Bob Nelson (lionsoni) has already mentioned.
Martin
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month