Lionel will run no matter which way you hook up the lockon. If you are going to use more than one lockon for better conductivity, you do want to hook them all up the same way. Back many years ago when I ran Lionel, the transformers all had a binding post marked "U" for universal. I would run the "U" post to the outside rail.
If all the track joints were perfect, only a single lock on would be needed. The rail is plenty thick enough to carry all the juice needed all over the layout. Unfortunately the track joints are less than perfect. We compensate for this by installing extra lockons to bypass the bad joints and bring juice to distant track sections.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Chris.
For future reference, you will probably get more accurate and timely responses if you go to the "CLASSIC TOY TRAINS FORUM". Just click on Classic toy Trains on the top banner when you log on to the site. That is where most of the gentlemen with extensive knowledge on Lionel, Marx and other toy trains hang out. This site is primarily geared to those who are into modeling HO, N, and a little Z scale trains.
Personally, the last time that I had a Lionel train setup was when I was about 14 years old and that was about 57 years ago.
Please feel free to drop by anytime and check out WPF (Weekend Photo Fun) to see what these fellas model. (Lots of pictures) Good luck with your setup and enjoy it. I always did.
Blue Flamer.
at least the part as far as what wires go on what part of the track.
i answered my own question by pulling out my volt meter..
Ok, it's been quite some time since I hooked my dads train up. He uses lockons and I'm building a new track setup and will be using a 80watt transfromer just to make sure all the track has power, etc. Which terminals( 1 and 2) go where on the standard Lionel Lockon. So which one goes to Hot and which one goes to ground?
Also this is a 4 x 8 setup. How many lockons would I need to run from the same transformer to supply ample power to the track. The track will be big enough to run 2 trains simultaneously. I will end up using my ZW Transformer once I have the track layed out and made sure it all has power before hooking up any accessories, etc..