Williams and new ZW, any problems

[okiechoochoo]

I searched but didn't find my exact question.  Anyone using the new modern Lionel ZW with Williams engines in conventional mode.  Any problems with direction control, horn, bells etc.  Just checking before I jump off and buy one.

  Thanks

 

[mpzpw3]

I'm using a new ZW transformer, and have no problems running Williams engines. Just this weekend I ran all 6 of my Williams engines with it, and had no problems, except with an older Williams NW-1. The bell was very quick to turn on, but not so quick trying to shut it off. I would suspect my dirty track before the ZW/Williams  combination. I tried all 6 engines's whistle's and bell's with both the ZW transformer buttons, and with the Cab-1. Did the same with the command base on, and off. No problems except with the switcher, which, again, is probably due to my dirty track. Hope this helps.

[jimhaleyscomet]

I run new ZW and william's with no problems.  Having the cab1/remote control is fantastic.

 

Jim H 

[okiechoochoo]

Are you running both dual motored Williams and single motored Williams such as steam engines.  Thanks for your responses.

[jimhaleyscomet]

I run dual motored William's diesel units.

 

I have never had a problem running anything off my new Lionel ZW / Cab1.  I run Lionel Steam (conventional and TMCC), beeps, MTH PS2.0 units, K-line conventional switchers. 

 

Jim H 

[okiechoochoo]

Jim

Have you rewired you dual motored Williams diesels in series or do you run them as delivered from the factory?  Thanks

[jimhaleyscomet]

No need to rewire William's or K-line when running the new ZW / cab 1/command base combination.  The maximum voltage is set by the handle position.  The full number of power steps is divided up (94 times I think) evenly to the handle voltage position. Therefore you have almost continuous throuttle control if set the handle to 1/2, 1/4 or even 1/8 voltage.    The ZW / cab 1 / command base combination gives VERY smooth slow speed operation on everything I own.  As a further plus, you can set the minimum dial voltage so you do not accidently trigger reverse when stopping very quickly.

Unlike the DCS set up (which is also attached to my layout), the ZW / cab 1 / command base is surpassed by nothing in giving the best remote operated slow operation in conventional mode.  

 It took a long time for me to take the plunge to The ZW / cab 1 / command base.  I wish I had done it much sooner.  As long as I have a sound car attached I can run all my conventional locomotives with almost all the benefits of command control.   I just wish I had never disposed of some of my conventional locomotives back when I added command control.  

 

Jim H 

 

 

[Anonymous]

That's the great thing about Williams. It will run with ANYTHING!

Good solid, simple design and construction. No frills, just fun. 

[phillyreading]

I had a problem with the post war ZW not activating the bell on my Williams GP-9's and had to use a sound activation button hooked up in reverse to get the bell feature.  Can not say about the new ZW.

With a Z1000 by MTH I can just use the transformer to activate bell or whistle features.  Also have DCS and do not know how to use it to control my Williams trains in conventional mode as yet.

Lee F.

[mpzpw3]

I have one Williams steam engine, a berkshire. It operates just like my other Williams engines, as far as the modern ZW goes. Personally, and just my opinion, I don't really like the way the Williams berk runs. It seems more "jolty" than the other Williams engine's, and the smoke unit requires a lot of "voodoo" to make it work. I think I would be happier with a postwar berk., but for the money...

The new ZW has a "bell" button built in.

[phillyreading]

If you put too much smoke fluid in the Williams locomotive it quits smoking, if it runs dry it quits smoking.  To see if you put too much fluid in put a paper towel over the smoke stack on the locomotive and turn it over, fluid should come out if overfilled, now put only four drops of fluid in the locomotive and run the unit for about ten minutes.  My Williams dealer told me about this on smoking locomotives.

As for the new ZW I did not know if it had a bell button or not as I don't have one.  Saw the new ZW's a few years ago and was not impressed by the fact that you had to add power bricks or seperate transformers to the control unit, guess I am stuck with the design of the post war ZW's everything inside.

Lee F.

[mpzpw3]

It was a difficult decision for me to decide whether to go with a postwar ZW or a modern ZW. I too, dislike the "empty box" of the modern ZW! What I did like was a built in bell button, and the ability to run conventional and tmcc locomotives without having to buy a power-whatever, or a TPC. I couldn't figure out if I needed a TPC for every loop or not. I decided to make it easy on myself, and just buy a new ZW. 720 watts of power also helped seal the deal.

I really like the postwar version, and sometimes wish I had one, just because they were so powerful in their time!

[phillyreading]

What does the new ZW with 720 watts sell for?  Will it control four trains like the 275 watt post war ZW that the shell looks like?  And where are the circuit breakers on the new ZW?

I don't like the Z4000 by MTH because you only have two track outputs, although it has two accessory outputs, the accessory outputs don't run any trains.

I have about 15 locomotives; Lionel pw, Williams, or MTH, two K-Line trains, so needless to say I need some big time power for my layout.  Currently I have a 275 watt ZW(post-war), a 250 watt Z(post-war), a 190 watt R type transformer(post-war) and a Z1000 from MTH.

Lee F.

[mpzpw3]

I'll try to answer a few of your questions on the new ZW. A new ZW with two 180 watt powerhouses (this is how they are sold) lists for $429.99 in Lionel's catalog. The transformer has the capacity for 2 more powerhouses at $99.99 apiece. Now you need to remember that those are "list" prices, and not what they are actually selling for. I got mine for around $320.00, and the extra powerhouses for about $60.00 apiece. In contrast, I was having a hard time finding a good postwar ZW for under $250.00, and was then going to have to buy the TPC's to go with it, and only 275 watts.

The new ZW has four throttles, and can run 4 trains (one 180 watt powerhouse per throttle. That's only 90 watts difference of the postwar ZWs total output). If I'm not mistaken, all four 180 watt powerhouse's can be run through one  throttle for those really big layouts. You can go to Lionel's website and download the instructions for more information on that subject, because, again, I could be mistaken. The downside is, only 2 throttles have whistle, horn, and direction buttons. You would have to use external bell/whistle buttons for the other 2 throttles. I believe the postwar version is also like this, but without a built in bell button.

The circuit breakers are in the powerhouse's. They are not really circuit breakers, I think they are some sort of "fold over" thingys, but someone else can explain that. What I can say, is they operate very quickly! They beat any fast acting fuse I have ever seen. I'm told that is a good deal, especially for the newer electronics, but it is good for postwar, also. My theory is, the sooner power is stopped because of a short or something, the better.

Again, the biggest advantages to the new ZW, in my opinion anyway, is the 720 watts, and not having to buy external TPC's to run conventional and command control engines. Being able to run the trains with a remote control is a nice feature also, but left to a different discusion, as this reply is too long as it is.