First off, this forum is a great place to share information and I hope some of you can share with me today. I live in Jacksonville, FL and I have not had great luck finding neighbors who share the same 3-rail passion, so its nice to have a place like this.
I have a 12 x 6 layout with O-54, O-46, O-36, and O-27 Atlas rail. Inside of the O-27 is a switching yard of 5 switches and rolling stock, scenes, etc. I have 2 ZW power transformers. One is a pre-war, with new power cord, and the other is a new ZW with 3 power blocks. I figured that I would run the 54, 46, and 31 tracks with the ZW with the 3 power blocks and then the inside 27 and switching with the old ZW. That should allow for enough power for rails, cars and accessories.
I plan to run 4 big loops of wire for the 4 tracks, to the new ZW (I know I need to get another block). I would then run a 2-4 seperate loops for the accessories, connected to the older ZW. This should provide me with enough power underneath for any accessories and for ample, constant track power. I plan on using TMCC and conventional locos, all Lionel.
Any recommendations from people who have been down this road?
Thanks,
Jack Bobeck
Welcome!
That sounds like a fun layout for running trains on! I think you have thought out your power pretty well. Keep in mind the old ZW that will power accesories and the inner loop will have the benifit that many accesories are monentary power users and further some are only used when the train is not running. A further option might be to aquire a seperate trans maybe a Z 250 watt or V 150 watt for your lights and accessories and just run the inner loop and switches on the ZW. It is probably not needed, but would allow in growth. If you haven't already, add up the wattage use of all your lights and controls that will be on at the same time. Also add the wattage needed byt he train on that loop. The old ZW is really good for 180-190 watts output as opposed to its advertised "input" rating of 250 or 275 watts. The differnce is due to losses in the form of heat within the transformer and this is normal. The newer transformers are simply rated by their output.
One further comment, the old ZW will allow momentary power spikes through to your tracks, this si also normal for that vintage design. The new transformers will protect your TMCC locos from those spikes which can in time damage the modern electronics. Any old locos, do not care.
Hey, Post some pics!
Dennis - Thanks for the reply. I will post some pics tomorrow when I download the camera at the office. Right now the table is a mess with wires. I removed all the old and am working to run the new. Power is everything, so I am trying to do it right now, after I rushed and created a mess of wires underneath, that did not allow for growth. A lesson for everyone who wants to get going with a layout. Take the time to plan. Its so worth it later!
I used to live in W. Lafayette, off Carrolton Blvd, near Happy Hollow Park. Family went to Purdue, my great grandfather was the head of locomotive power for the Monon, when my grandfather lived off of 9th street in Lafayette. I know all the trains were moved a few years ago off the streets, and that some of the remains are there from the Monon shops. Its a great place to grow up!
Take care,
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