I haven’t got my wall mounted rail done yet, but I have some transformer questions:
I have two engines, both single motor Lionel’s from the 1970’s. I have the original transformer, a 50 watt (4150??). I have about 45 feet of track. For now, I will probably run only one trian. Eventually I will run an isolated block or a turnout for the other.
How often would you connect electric to the track. I’ll be using Gargraves Tinplate when it comes in. I’ve seen anywhere from every 6-8’ recommended to maybe up to 50’. I had a setup on a 4x8 sheet of plywood when I was a kid with an oval that took up most of it, and a diagonal path though the middle and a turnout line (all manual switches), and it had one track lock on and I didn’t notice any problems, but I was probably 8-12 when I actively played with it.
Next, I don’t intend on getting any of the fancy new TMCC engines. If I need a bigger transformer to run two trains (or maybe three eventually), what’s people opinions? I know someone will say get the TPC, but I’d like to limit the transformer purchase to about $100 if I get this portion working.
Thanks
Jason
Jason,
You will be fine with your present transformer. I recommend you plan on drops every 6-8 feet (as you note) from the track to a 14 or 16 ga set of hot and common bus wires. You can use 16 or 18 Ga wire for the short drops to the bus.
If what you are doing is purely temporary - then just use a lockon and make sure all your track pin/joiner connections are tight and you should be fine.
If you get to a point where you will be running long trains, dual motored Postwar trains, or passenger cars with a lot of lights, you will likely have to upgrade your transformer.
Have fun and if you have additional questions just give us a shout.
With good (not necessarily soldered, although that would be best) track connections you should be well able to do a 45-foot loop without any feeders.
With a 8x4 layout i usually had 2 lockons to provide the track with power…just run a train and where it loses some power put a lockon there…but make sure its just not a bad section of track…i put a lockon every 12 to 15 sections of 10inch lionel 0 guage…roughly every 10 to 12 feet…thanks
A post war ZW or Z transformer will work nicely but you may spend over $200 for a transformer. Limiting yourself to $100 on a transformer is not practical more like $250.
Lee F.
Thanks everyone,
I’ll use what I have for now, and just run one train, with at least two lockons, I can measure the voltage drop on the rails pretty well I’m guessing. I will probably connect in at least 3 or 4 places, as eventually, I’ll isolate some sections of track and need connection points there anyway. Then I’ll see where I need to go from there.
Jason
Jason, these guys do it the right way. Just for comparison, I run five separate loops - each with their own transformer and just one lock-on connection - most are small but one of these is about 76 ft. of track, and I can run a two-motor GG1 and three lighted passenger cars off a K-Line trainset transformer, so to get started, you can also do it this bad way [;)]