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RW Transformer Variation

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  • Member since
    October 2017
  • 3 posts
RW Transformer Variation
Posted by QuarterDriver on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 1:04 AM

I've just been looking at available RW transformers and noticed some have a black UL symbol and others have a red Lionel "L" in the upper left corner.  Any information on the change? Thanks in advance.

Tags: RW , Transformer
KRM
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
  • 6,506 posts
Posted by KRM on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 5:48 PM

Welcome QuarterDriver!!!

Not sure what your looking for but here are some links to look at. I think they are the same inside. But can't bet on it.

 The L is for Lionel, The UL is for Underwriters Laboratories. Just something that was big back then. To say they were safe to use.

http://www.tandem-associates.com/lionel/lionel_trains_rw_transformer.htm

http://postwarlionel.com/everything-else/transformers/rw-transformer/

 PS

Thinking about it I do remember someone saying that Lionel transformers in California had to be UL approved to be sold in that state. I think they even had a state stamp as well. Maybe that has something to do with the UL loco on some.

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

  • Member since
    October 2017
  • 3 posts
Posted by QuarterDriver on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 9:12 PM

Thanks for the information on the RW.  What I found interesting, or wierd if you will, is that looking through ebay listings, I see more "UL" transformers than "L" ones, but all of the Lionel literature has a drawing with an "L" type RW on it.  Even your link http://postwarlionel.com/everything-else/transformers/rw-transformer/ shows a "UL" marked RW transformer, backed by original operating instructions, with an "L" marking on the drawing.  Why would Lionel do this?  Was the "L" type along with instructions produced first, and the "UL" type later and they just kept printing the same literature to save money?

Perhaps just another one of those little Lionel mysteries.

   

 

  • Member since
    October 2017
  • 3 posts
Posted by QuarterDriver on Friday, October 27, 2017 10:34 PM

Just noticed that there's yet another RW variant:  One has the text "TYPE RW 110 WATTS" in a single line, and the other (and seems to be more common) the smaller word "TEXT" over the larger letters "RW" in a line that says "110 RW WATT."  Apparently none with the single line of text are "L" units; all I've seen are "UL." 

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