I need a controller. which one? opinions please!

[Anonymous]

want to get a controller and getting different feedback. I have one mth #2004 diesel, and the rest are lionel loco's and last is my dads favorite the #2355 f3 AA conventionals. want something that can make all the sounds work on every engine. small budget but want a good decent one to last a while. most important is hearing all the sounds to the different trains. will the z-1000 do the trick or do I need the bigger one? want to wake up my kids on christmas to the sounds of trains. to this day I havent ran a train before or never seen my dad run them, before he passed away. thanks in advance and happy holidays.

cade[:D]

[Anonymous]

Cade

The Z 100 would certainly work for you. Avoid the Lionel CW it is plagued with problems. What are you using now? you can simply add a bell button to it or simply make one.

Dale Hz

[Anonymous]

I'm not using anything at the moment. I'm going to be purchasing my very first controller. i'm asking alot of people this question so I dont buy the one I dont need. I've talked to three people and they had different ideas so thats why I'm here to get the right answer. first guy said to get the lionel old school controller ZW, which wont work with mth, (didnt know to ask that question until the concern arose, still a newby) and the others said any controller will work. well, we know the answer to that one now. and you said something about a button for a bell? do I need that also with the controller

thx, cade

[Anonymous]

For your current needs most anyones starter set transformer would suit your purpose. You would not need ZW unless you plan on expanding your layout. A postwar transformer would work for MTH engines but would not have a bell button or a fast acting circuit breaker to protect modern electronics. You could get around that by installing an in line fuse and external bell button. A good choice might be a K-Line 120 watt power chief costing about $90. You can try WWW.Justrains.com,a large dealer for trains.

Dale Hz