New to garden railroading. power question

[Anonymous]

I'm new to garden railroading and in the planning stage of my LGB layout. Probably going to be around 50 feet total, but I'm sure I will add on over time. I was looking at purchasing an LGB 50111 transformer and 52120 throttle. Is this overkill for this small of a layout? Should I just use the stock transformer that came with my starter set and buy the upgrades later if I expand? I'm sure I will have more questions as I go along.

thanks

[RhB_HJ]

Welcome to the FUN,

If you're aiming to go with LGB electrical components you picked the right combo (50111 & 52120)!

The Starterpack power is very limited!

[Anonymous]

hi lgbelsinore
My transformer has 50110 on it which I assume is the LGB cat no it is rated at 90va 18 volts the controler is 51070 and rated at 5A do not go less than that for power rating.
If you are thinking of the little all weather signal cabin/switch tower top looking controler
my advice is don't I have seen these blow up with frightenig regularity and heard a lot of stories of them blowing up.
The little controler that comes with the starter sets is good for that and nothing else
it will not even cope with a double headed short train where the two locomotives are LGB 2020's the little green one that is LGB's trade mark badge with no lghted coaches or caboose.
Once set up perminatly in the garden the disadvantage with the combination I use is that it will have to be mounted in a weatherproof enclosure so when not in use the door is shut and the transformer and controler are protected from the weather
regards John

[smcgill]

I used the starter power pack untill --- I had more cars/lights-bigger engines --double headed 2 engines etc.
I switched to the Aristo train engineer and matching power pack.(10 amps I think)
No problems yet.
The next layout will be bigger and this unit should do well.

[bman36]

lgbelsinore,
First off welcome to the forum! Great bunch here and we hope you enjoy it. My best advice would be to purchase now so you can expand later. I have successfully run over 300' of track with an Aristo 3.5 amp pack. Although I only ran a single loco. In the long run you would be better off with a bigger pack so you are ready to expand. Hope this helps. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Ok, the post about the throttle blowing up kinda worries me. What about an Aristo 5450 3.5 amp with a 5401 controller? Or the 55460 ultima 10 amp power supply with a 5401 controller?

thanks again

[Anonymous]

Hi lgbelsinore
The problem what ever it is only seems to affect that one particular controler
a ten amp power supply sounds good get the bigest most powerfull transformer you can even if it sounds like going into overkill you can bet in the long run it will not be.
There will always be that cool acssesory that needs electricety to run that you want to add either by purchase or by building it your self and it will not be fun if the thermal breaker starts triping all the time.
I am not familier with the controlers you mention and don't have the latest catalogue to be able to check upon them.
but get the bigest and best you can afford the two areas not to skimp on are power for your control ccts, and locomotive power on those two always get the best you can
and your trains should always work.
regards John