I recently recieved as a gift a RailKing 1-gauge 4-8-4 Northern, Southern Pacific GS-4 type. This is the first 1-gauge item I have ever owned. I am wondering what I should use to power it? The box says DCC/DCS DC/AC. The manual talks about DCS and says there is more information on DCS on page 30, but when one goes to page 30 there is nothing there about DCS at all. The manual goes into detail on AC control and how to controls stuff with the horn and bell buttons. There is a list of compatible AC power supplies from the MTH-Z300 to the Lionel ZW. There is not even a mention of DCC in the manual. It doesn't say anything about working with Lionels advanced control systems. I cannot even find anything about how much current the loco needs other than extrapolating from the lowest supply in the list that is 50W / 18V = 2.8 amps.
I am planning using this locomotive in next years Christmas display but I don't want to wait until display time to figure out how to make it run. I have a Lionel CW-90? with an orange handle that is not in the list they gave. I have DCC equipment but I've heard MTH doesn't really work well with the DCC.
What are some recomendations to power this locomotive?
Since no-one else has answered I'll take a swing at it.
First off, I run strictly conventional and have no interest in the "exotic" control systems, DCC, DCS, whatever. So I can't help you there.
If the owners manual states explicitly you can use an AC transformer such as MTH's various models or Lionel's there shouldn't be a problem with controlling conventionally with the same. The Lionel transformer you called a CW-90 is probably their CW-80. That should be OK to use. I've run MTH O gauge engines with a CW-80 and had no problems, although my layout transformers are MTH Z-1000's.
Anyone else?
Texas Zephyr,
I work in G also, but mostly with LGB and Bachmann products, which are DC. I did notice on the RailKing website they mention AC and DC, but you might want to ask on the Garden Railway forum, and maybe you might get a definitive answer.
Rail King made some really nice engines, I just never actually bought any.
Paul
Flintlock76 -
Thanks. You are right I believe it is a CW-80. It came with a Lionel Set from Hobby Lobby and I don't see it but occasionally when I use that set at Christmas time.
Postwar Paul you might want to ask on the Garden Railway forum,
It kind of threw me at first,too. Usually the term is "Gauge 1", which is what G gauge is. On Rail King's website, they say 1:32 scale, which is one of many scales loosely referred to as " G".
I always thought their Challengers were really cool!
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