Power transformers and control for G scale electri

[Anonymous]

I'm new to garden railroading in that I haven't gotten my trains running yet. I've been busy trying to build buildings, set up track etc. I have a couple of inexpensive Bachman track powered train sets, but the transformers which came with don't seem to work. My layout is rather large (I'd guess maybe 200 feet total in two tracks, both circular and not connected. I thought I might need a more powerful transformer for that much track. What do I need to look for in a transformer/control for two tracks? What voltage/amps do I need/or is permissable on output? Will a Lionel pack meant for O scale work on a Bachman G scale (e-bay has a 275watt one which sounds nice and powerful = I think it says 22 volts DC). Sorry if this sounds too dumb, but again I'm just a beginner and don't want to buy something I can't use just because I was afraid to ask and sound dumb). Thanks

[vsmith]

Whatever you do, DO NOT use a lionel powerpack unless you want to fry your motors. Get a powerpack (LGB's are great) that is at least 5 amps output for a 200 foot line that should give you plenty of power. Any longer than that I would invest in a 10 amp pack, also if you can't break up the line into blocks with seperate power supply to each block (this can be a major nightmare outdoors) then you can run an additional powerline to the far point of the layout, just make sure your terminals are going to the same rails. This should eliminate any possible voltage drop problems thru the rails. Also invest in a GOOD trackcleaning car or similar item, you'll need it outdoors. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much. Unfortunately I currently have an ebay bid on one of the Lionel 275 w transformers. Hopefully I'll be outbid before the auction ends, or I'll have to list it on ebay and try to recover some or all of my money. Your advice is exactly what I was hoping to get here. Actually my track is currently in 3 blocks which is one reason I liked the Lionel - it's description says it can handle up to 4. Thanks again. Dale

[vsmith]

Check out some back issues of Garden Railways Magazine. I remember recently they did a good write up of G-scale powerpacks. Everything from Aristo-Craft, Bridgemasters, LGB, and Spectrum. Thats the guide you should be looking at, and I'm sure you can fing one on e-bay. Again dont use lionel x-fmr if its for their O gauge trains, those are three rail and your trains are two rail, I'm not sure about the x-fmr you bid on if its for o-gauge or g-gauge but if you call a g-gauge supplier they might be able to tell you more about your e-bay x-fmr. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

The Lionel ZW will lpower the layout it just needs a rectifer bridge to change the ac to dc current. I have used them in operating our clubs display layouts for several years with no problem. They have the necessary capacity to power multiple unit lash up and several loops at the same time. Just to make controll easier, an Arist R/C unit installed between the bridge and track hook up. The main concern is enough DC amperage and voltage supplied to the track