K line traditional GG1 wattage question

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Does anyone know the approximate wattage or current a klineGG1 requires? Would a 25 watt transformer come close to running it?

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

2

A LIONEL RS! or ZW SHOULD WORK JUST FINE

3

I would say to get a transformer with at least 60 watts of power in case you add lighted passenger cars. 25 watts is very little power, it may do for testing something but for running on a regular layout and with frieght or passenger cars added you need more power.

Lee F.

4

Thanks. I was thinking that might be the case.

5

I have this locomotive and it does not work well with the Lionel 80w transformer included in the modern ready to run sets. I bought this loco last Christmas and it would not run on my under the tree holiday layout (6’ X 18’). I thought something was wrong with the loco but discovered it is a power hog. I do not know what the minimum watts needed are but it runs great with big transformers.

6

As JAMES SHANNON says above. Works great with the CW-80 watt. No problems.

laz57

8

kontin,

A true “80 Volt-Amp” Lionel CW-80,* of either version, will deliver 5 amperes. If each of the motors on the GG1 in question draws less than 2.5 amps, the CW-80 should have enough power, assuming that long trains, illuminated passenger cars and particularly lamps on the layout don’t overload it. The green light will tell you whether the transformer is “happy” with its load. That said, many folks would want to have still more power in practice.

If the above does not happen, I would suspect that the loco needs lubrication or mechanical service to ensure that nothing in the works is binding or rubbing.

*As opposed to the much lower-powered look-alike “PowerMax” or “PowerMax Plus” transformers that come with many Lionel “starter” sets, which would be extremely challenged by any dual-motor locomotive, no matter how well it’s tuned up.

.

[Text heavily edited]