Trains.com

Needing Some Advice On Loinel Transformers

1249 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 276 posts
Needing Some Advice On Loinel Transformers
Posted by MARTIN STATION on Monday, November 4, 2024 2:08 PM

I have been collecting a few Lionel postwar items (and Marx) and just recently purchased a like new NW2 switcher from 1993 to pull my PW freight cars as they are farily heavier than some newer cars I own. The only transformers that I own are the ones that came with my 4-4-2 trainsets. I have looked on line and done some research and that said be weary of early CW80 and CW30/40 are too weak.

 I have found a lionel PW1033 at a local antique shop for $45. The seller has sold PW Lionel and Marx train items for quite awhile there and I even purchased a few from him. The seller has noted, "tested, works" on the lable. The case is in really good condition and the electric cord is also appears really good and my even been replaced. Is this 1033 a good find or should I keep looking?

 I do not plan on a large layout or running more than one train at a time.

Thanks, Ralph 

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,050 posts
Posted by fifedog on Monday, November 4, 2024 5:23 PM

A 1033 is a good 90W transformer that will run your PW and MPC trains just fine. Really inspect the electric cord, any signs of cracking, walk away.

My preference is the 125W LW, which will easily run a room sized loop of track. And has that cool retro look, too.YesCool

  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 276 posts
Posted by MARTIN STATION on Monday, November 4, 2024 5:37 PM

fifedog

A 1033 is a good 90W transformer that will run your PW and MPC trains just fine. Really inspect the electric cord, any signs of cracking, walk away.

My preference is the 125W LW, which will easily run a room sized loop of track. And has that cool retro look, too.YesCool

 

Thank you! I will have to check out the 125W LW also.

Ralph

  • Member since
    July 2020
  • 1,624 posts
Posted by pennytrains on Monday, November 4, 2024 8:06 PM

I love my KW!  It has 2 throttles and plenty of constant voltage taps for lights and accessories.

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 276 posts
Posted by MARTIN STATION on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 7:17 AM

pennytrains

I love my KW!  It has 2 throttles and plenty of constant voltage taps for lights and accessories.

 

I have heard others talk about the KW also. I looked at some of these on line and some are not too much more in asking price than the 1033. This gives me something else to consider. The only problem with Postwar Lionel is that they are like Lay's Potato Chips, you just can't stop at one! I have a 2025 2-6-2 and a 621 CNJ NW2 that I purchased for display and already had a GP7 non MPC along with a 4-4-2 for the Christmas train. The PW trains came with some early PW freight cars that are really nice and so I purchased this lastest NW2 just to pull them around and these are fairly heavy cars and need more power than the trainset transformer.

Thanks to both of you for responding to my post!

Ralph

  • Member since
    June 2013
  • 643 posts
Posted by smokey1 on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 10:35 AM

I have 5 postwar ZW's, who knows why, I don't. I do like them, you can run up to 4 trains on them. They can handle anything you have. Also /use one terminal for accesaries, still run 3 trains. 

You talk about you can't stop getting postwar, Don't buy any Standard Gauge, they are really additive.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month