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1144 Transformer

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1144 Transformer
Posted by gottcent on Sunday, March 9, 2008 7:37 PM

     I just picked up a Lionel transformer at a flea market that I can't find listed in any of my price guides. It bears the label "Type 1144" and is rated at 75 watts. It's got fixed voltage settings for 6, 14, and 20 volts, and variable range settings for 10-20 and 4-14 volts. There's a direction control button but no whistle control. The label (a silver paste-on job) says "The Lionel Corporation, New York, Made in U.S. of America," which indicates postwar production, but like I said, I can't find it listed or described in any of my manuals. Anybody have info on this transformer? BTW--it seems to work fine.

                                                                          John Gottcent

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Posted by 1688torpedo on Sunday, March 9, 2008 8:14 PM

Hello gottcent!

The 1144 has a 10-volt variable winding & an additional fixed 10 volt winding starting at "A" with a 6-volt tap at "B"

This provides the transformer with a B-U range of 6-16 volts & an A-U range of 10-20 volts. The fixed voltage combinations are A-B, 6 volts; B-C, 14 volts and AC, 20 volts.

The Transformer has a circuit-breaker in the "B" leg which protects all circuits. There is no whistle control circuit but an OFF-ON push button is provided to operate locomotive reversing units. The transformer is designed for operating non-whistling outfits or in combination with a rectifier as a power source for HO equipment. ( The above is from the Greenburg's Lionel Service Manuel)  Is this the info you were looking for? Take Care.

Keith Woodworth........Seat Belts save lives,Please drive safely.
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Posted by lionelsoni on Sunday, March 9, 2008 8:34 PM

Take Lionel's assertion that the circuit breaker "protects all circuits" with a grain of salt.  The breaker will not protect against a fault between C and U or between A and B.

Bob Nelson

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Posted by Chris F on Sunday, March 9, 2008 9:08 PM

David Doyle's Standard Catalog of Lionel Trains 1945-1969 indicates the 1144 was offered 1961-66.  The listing also indicates the transformer didn't have fixed voltage taps, but, as Keith showed, it did.

Greenberg's Lionel Postwar Operating Instructions reprint of the 1144's instructions indicates A-U was 5-15V, and B-U was 0-11V.  Bob (lionelsoni) is the transformer expert here - I'm wondering if B-U actually is 4-14V based on the service manual drawing.  John, do you have a voltmeter so you can eliminate the guesswork?

There was no mention of fixed voltage(s) in the operating instructions, but a drawing shows three lighted accessories operating from A-C (20V).  Maybe Lionel was trying to increase their light bulb sales!

BTW, Olsen't Toy Trains website was down this evening, but when it comes up, you can go here - http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/library.htm - to access the 1144 service information.

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Posted by gottcent on Monday, March 10, 2008 11:46 AM
     Thanks for all the info. I do have a voltmeter, and all the voltage outputs are true as described on the label and mentioned in my original posting. I didn't know about the circuit breaker business. But what I'm really wondering now is what this unit is worth today, and why it is missing from all the Kalmbach price guides, esp. if it was produced for six years. Anyone have info about its value?
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Posted by phillyreading on Monday, March 10, 2008 3:13 PM

 gottcent wrote:
     Thanks for all the info. I do have a voltmeter, and all the voltage outputs are true as described on the label and mentioned in my original posting. I didn't know about the circuit breaker business. But what I'm really wondering now is what this unit is worth today, and why it is missing from all the Kalmbach price guides, esp. if it was produced for six years. Anyone have info about its value?

Interesting that it should be missing from the 2008 Greenberg's Pocket Price guide as well.  Another missing item in the Greenberg's Pocket Price guide is the 2225T tender for the 249E steam locomotive, it is listed as a possible tender for a 238E but not with the 249E.

Lee F.

Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
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Posted by Chris F on Monday, March 10, 2008 9:05 PM

Transformers don't generate much collector interest.  The prices published in Greenberg's guides are based on reports from train show sales.  Perhaps the sellers didn't bother reporting 1144 sales, or the volume wasn't significant enough.

David Doyle's 2004 book shows prices of $10, $20, and $40 for VG, Ex, and LN, repectively.  These values appear to be based on the estimates of David and some of his collector friends.

The 1144 was a "modernized" version of the 1034 (48-54).  David Doyle's book shows 1034 prices of $20, $35, and $60, while the 2005 Greenberg guide shows $22 (G) and $38 (Exc). 

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Posted by gottcent on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 10:56 AM

Thanks, Chris, and everyone else who replied. Your info has helped a lot.

                                                          John Gottcent

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