getting back into o scale but want a decent transformer

[phillyreading]

I have seen the newer ZW's from Lionel but I am not impressed with the prices and the possibility of getting one the falls apart or has internal electrical issues. The ZW-C if I am correct has the power units outside of the case. The price of the ZW-L is around $700.00 unless you find one on sale. I could buy 2 post war ZW's and fix them up and have money left over for what a new ZW-L costs.

[phillyreading]

I have a post war ZW that I am going to cange over to diodes very soon, the whistle control is going bad, otherwise it works great.

Anothe transformer for just power is a post war Z, it has 250 watts and four train control knobs.

I have a KW that I may update soon as well. However with running newer engines on a post war transformer you should add in a TVS unit(inexpensive but worth it) to each terminal of the transformer.

The MTH Z-1000 works very well and has both the bell & whistle buttons on it.

[emdfan2]

i have a trainmaster in good shape ill try it out i just really need the whistle or horn anyway

[tinplatacis]

Try using some 1033's. Might not have the bell, but real inexpensive and versatile

[Firelock76]

A good source for ZW and KW transformers might be a train show, if there's one coming up in your area and no hobby shops around that might have used ones on hand.  Click on the "Resources" tab at the top of the website and go to "Coming Events," it's easy to figure it out from there.

Yeah, shipping costs on those two heavy weights would be a killer!

[jwse30]

The replies posted so far are pretty much what I would suggest as well, though I've been fortunate in my CW-80 experience (I understand a lot of people aren't).

 

The Z-1000 by MTH is a fine transformer, but only allows one train to be controlled. You mentioned one or two consists, so you may need a second transformer if you go this route.

 

The postwar ZW is probably the best bang for the buck right now. The bottom has really dropped out on the prices of these in the past 3 or 4 years. Shipping them is still expensive though, so if you can find one locally, this is the route I would go. Make sure the power cord is in good shape before use. Adding the external bell buttons is a simple 2 wire hook up between the track and the transformer if you need them.

 

The modern ZW is one I can't comment much on except that if you end up venturing into TMCC or Legacy, the power bricks it comes with are the same ones you would use with those set ups (no adapters required)

 

That Atlas/ Williams transformer looks pretty interesting to me. I had never heard of that one. If the price is reasonable and it holds up, that may be a good choice.

 

The KW would be a fair choice if one is available locally for a low price, but for what ZWs are going for now, they are almost uneconomical to ship.

 

If you would rather have multiple transformers to run multiple trains, the 1033 or the LW offer a fair amount of power for very little money. like the rest of the postwar transformers, endure the power cord is in good shape before using.

 

Hope this helps,

 

J White

 

[emdmike]

I also recommend a good Postwar Lionel ZW, bell buttons can be added and Lionel offered them throughout the early Railsounds era.  Or if your wallet will allow, the modern ZW with twin power bricks comes with bell and whistle control ablities. I personaly prefer the USA made postwar version and add the bell button seperatly. That transformer has proven itself over decades of use by thousands of 3 railers.  I know guys that use them for a power source in other scales by rectifing the AC output power!    Mike

[emdfan2]

ill look into one if i can find one im used to ho so the reliability i must question as my past has not been kind to me

[ADCX Rob]

A good modern choice with some real versatility would be the Atlas/Williams 80 watt transformer - built like a postwar transformer with two variable sine wave outputs, and whistle/bell capability.

 

[Firelock76]

I'm not sure if any current production transformer is fixable, considering the electronics involved.  The old post-war transformers were fixable, mostly, but you're going to have to shop around for a used one.

I've got two Z-1000's and haven't had any trouble with them at all.

[emdfan2]

i fried a cw-80 recently never buying another i want something fixable if needed

[sir james I]

I'm a Lionel fan but in this case a MTH Z1000 would be the better choice. A Postwar transfomer does not have both bell and whistle controls.

[Rob412]

I would recommend a ZW. Will give you plenty of power. If you plan on running more than one train or adding lights and accessories in the future this would be your best bet. Even if you don't need this much power now there's nothing worse than buying a transformer only to realize later that it's not enough for the things you will add over the years. I always like to plan for excess capacity.

[Firelock76]

I'm assuming you've got a basic starter set when you say "set."  A plain Lionel current production CW-80 will work fine, however I use MTH Z-1000's, I like the rapid response short circuit protection. 

[emdfan2]

mostly sound and up to two in a consist but space is limited to at the largest layout i could use o-42 curves id also like to run lights and operating accessories in additon and it hopefully should last over a year

[emdfan2]

I haven't been in the hobby for sometime and I recently purchased a set well that Transformer died on me so I'm looking for good replacement does anyone have any ideas or recommendations