2 Locomotives on one track, possible? What transformer?

[Fordiesel69]

Can I put two matched lionel loco's on one track and power them both in the same direction?  I already did this but the transformer did not have enough power. 

Some may wonder why.  I want to just try it out in case I want to pull a boat load of cars. 

[lionelsoni]

Yes.

[Fordiesel69]

What kind of transformer would I need?

[willpick]

Fordiesel69

Can I put two matched lionel loco's on one track and power them both in the same direction?  I already did this but the transformer did not have enough power. 

Some may wonder why.  I want to just try it out in case I want to pull a boat load of cars. 

It will help if you can post which transformer you are currently using. One engine should only draw about 1.5 amps @ 18 volts. 2 engines should draw about 3 amps,well within the capacity of a CW-80-- If you are pulling a "boat load", then you may exceed the 80 watt limit.

If you can afford $75-100 , then i would suggest an MTH Z1000. 100 watts capacity should be enough power. There are postwar(ww2) transformers that have more capacity, but I personally would not use one to run modern engines with lots of electronics in them. Just my preference.

HTH--- 

[lionelsoni]

That's very hard to say, since it depends on which locomotives you have and how much a train with what kind of cars you want to pull.  If your present transformer can handle one locomotive but can't do two, your best bet might be to find one that can put out twice the current.

[Fordiesel69]

This is my main transformer:

It is a 1987 Lionel Type MW Model 4690 solid State, 16VAC, 50 VA.  I cant find a link to it or I would show you it.

My spare at 80 watts:

 http://cgi.ebay.com/lionel-80-watt-transformer-whistle-control-works-great_W0QQitemZ140362026224QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item20ae3a8cf0

 

Here is another spare 125watt: 

http://cgi.ebay.com/1900s-VERY-EARLY-VINTAGE-LIONEL-TRAIN-TRANSFORMER-VGC_W0QQitemZ220532233498QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item3358bed51a

[lionelsoni]

Have you tried each of these with two locomotives?

[Fordiesel69]

Yes, end result is much slower operation.  But traction is indeed better.  No thermal problems with transformers.

[lionelsoni]

In order of increasing current, I'll suggest V or VW (8 amperes), KW (10 amperes), and Z or ZW* (15 amperes).  Those with "W" in the name have whistle controllers.

*Not to be confused with the modern "transformer" that Lionel also calls "ZW".

[Buckeye Riveter]

If you have dreams of running multiple locomotives on the same track, I would suggest you check out one of the command systems.  I run three trains on the same 200' mainline frequently and on occasion have four to five moving on the layout, albeit not for long stretches of time.

I currently use two 180 watt Lionel bricks, a 300 TPC, a TMCC Command base and of course the controller, a CAB-1.  I used to use one brick, a TMCC PowerMaster, a TMCC Command base and the CAB-1 when the layout was about 130' of mainline track. I have always been able to run conventional and TMCC equiped locomotives and equipment.