Old transformer upgrade?

[Anonymous]

Guys - great forum. I've done some searching but I'm having a hard time finding answers to my super general, rookie questions.

I have my grandfather's childhood train set. Might be post war, but that dosen't make sense timeline wise since he was in the Navy towards the end of WWII. I am redoing a rec room and was going to build a valance down from the ceiling to put up a very small track layout. This will be approximately 3'X6' in the middle of the room over a pool table. Very unexciting from what I've seen on this site.

I'm somewhat concerned of the saftey of these old electrical devices. I have two transformers, one is the size of a small car battery, and the other looks like the post war Lionel models I've seen linked to from this forum.

I'm so sorry for the lack of details, years, model numbers ect.... My basic question is, are there modern upgrades to the electrical components for these trains? I'm not looking to run an authentic, period correct setup - I just want to proudly display and occasionally run my grandfather's set - without burning the house down. It's been boxed up for at least 25 years since I last had it set up as a kid, and that's a shame.

Thanks in advance. Mike in NJ

[phillyreading]

Welcome Mike,

What I would suggest is to set up a loop of track and try to run the trains. Be careful to notice any burning smell and keep a close watch on the transformer, some heat is normal but if too hot to touch you may need to work on the transformer or replace it. If replacing the transformer get one with at least two train output for future upgrade to your layout or for a side track.

Most post war trains need a transformer with some power to it, the new transformers have a lower starting voltage and post war trains will not move unless the power is over one fourth.

I have both post war and pre war trains by Lionel.

Lee F.

[dwiemer]

 

If you are not planning on expanding your layout beyond the basic loop as described, I suggest you get one of the new transformers from either a local hobby shop, Ebay, or on line.  For the cost to have someone redo an older transformer, you could get a brand new one (discounted).  I suggest this as you should have no problems using a modern transformer on the older trains.  Williams has a good one available, so do MTH and Lionel.  Transformer repair is something some of us do, but with a good bit of experience and tools for the job, not something I suspect you want to get into unless you are going to expand your layout.

Dennis

[lionelsoni]

Mike, what are the model numbers (or letters) on the transformers?

[Anonymous]

Thank's guys. Excellent advice.

lionelsoni:  I only have the smaller transformer and a subset of the trains at my house. The rest are still at my parent's house. I'll post what data I can out tonight after work. But the rest may have to wait a few weeks (parents are 2.5 hours away).  

Thank's again!

 

[Anonymous]

Mike, what are the model numbers (or letters) on the transformers?

 

Bob - The small transformer is a "Little Jeff Toy Transformer" 50 Watts, 5.5-11.25v in 1.2v steps. I did a search and it looks to be a Model 535-101.

Also did some searching on the one engine - It's a Lionel Corporation 225 - Needs a couple repairs - the coal car appears to wired too - but the wires are dry rotted. I can't seem to remember what it did....

 

[Anonymous]

mjribeiro, lionelsoni, et al:

Check this out:

http://www.roger-russell.com/jeffers/jeftran.htm

There is one "Little Jeff" transformer on eBay at the moment.

It may fill one up with nostalgia, but I wouldn't want to be in the same zip code when you plug it in.

[lionelsoni]

I'm afraid that I don't know a thing about "Little Jeff".  I notice that the site that Wolverine49 found shows the 535-101 as having 1.5-volt steps, to a maximum of 13 volts.  Perhaps there were variations.  In any case, 13 volts is pretty low, especially for prewar Lionel.

I have been wondering whether the larger one, that you describe as like a small car battery, might be a Lionel type Z, which was made both before and after the war.  They are great transformers, in my opinion.

[phillyreading]

Don't know anything about a transformer named little Jeff. However I am familiar with an older transformer that has speed increments and they look like the tops of rivots, also not that powerful.  How many terminal screws are on the backside of the transformer?  And how many levers for train control?  Are there any lights(red or green) on the transformer?

Sounds like you may have a type R transformer, but without posting a photo or providing more details nobody can tell for certain.

Lee F.

[Anonymous]

philly - It looks exactly like the one at the top of this link-

http://www.roger-russell.com/jeffers/jeftran.htm

same markings, two posts, no lights, but mine indicates different steps and voltage ranges than the one on the link. I think I'll just buy a modern one...

 

[Anonymous]

It seems to me that there are a plethora of old transformers on the site I listed above. I can't help it if people don't read past the first line.

The history of the Jefferson Electric Manufacturing Co. can be found on that site with a couple of clicks. It has been through several incarnations, but its direct descendent, Jefferson Electric is still in operation. From what I have seen, it no longer makes little toy transformers, however.

I would not trash the Little Jeff. It should make for a great conversation piece.

I think you would be happier (and safer) with a new transformer; but be sure to ask (and read) about the Lionel CW-80 "starter" transformer before letting someone talk you into buying one. Prewar trains typically ran on higher voltages than modern ones do, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.