I’ve bought a few newer transformers and I’m not happy with them. Is there a new transformer that will work with the Lionel 2035, or should I find a working 1033?
The CW & BW would be great with a 2035, or any ZW new or old. Other modern workhorses include the 4090, MW & RS-1. If you go postwar, 1033/1044, RW, LW, SW, TW, KW are all good choices.
So, which ones are you not happy with?
Rob
I would second Rob’s list with the exception of the new ZW. The overly sensitive circuit breaker can be frustrating at times. I use my original 1033 with my 2035 but had a chance to use an old ZW with it recently. It really likes the extra power. I suggest 150 watts or better is a good choice, like a LW. Also if you are considering a new transformer look at the MRC products. Pete
Bigger is always better, KW or ZW.
Also a the older V - 150W and Z - 250W are great, they just do not have a whistle or direction control. They both do run 6-24 volts though which is more than the ZW. These can be great power for less than a ZW price.
If any old transformer is used, either service it yourself or if not comfortable with that, have some one who is qualified do so.
I have two Vs that I run all my Pre,Postwas and my MTH M1 with. Plenty of power.
The first one I bought a few years ago, at least it’d make the train go around the Christmas tree.
The one I just bought, I thought was a CW-80, which is it’s 30-watt stablemate. Why would lionel make them look the same?
I have (2) 1033 transformers, but neither one works. One just stopped and the other my son (my oldest now) jumped the track and left the transformer on and fried it.
The transformer pictured is a 40 watt unit from the 1990’s. The current version of the CW-80 is 80 watts, and an excellent little transformer, as is the BW-80.
If you purchased a “PowerMax” or CW-40, and thought you were getting a CW-80, then somebody ripped you off. It pays to do your homework first.
It’s not often that a 1033/1044 gets fried. They have fast-acting circuit breakers in them. Maybe yours was faulty?
Another great little transformer is the MPC-era 4090. Same design as a 1044.
Jon 
What’s the difference between a BW & CW? They look the same and both 80-watt.
Would I be better off just getting my 1033’s repaired?
No I didn’t get ripped off, I wasn’t paying attention when I got it on ebay. I didn’t know there where 2 versions and was just looking at the pic, price and shipping.
The BW-80 came before the CW-80. The BW-80 has a separate power brick and control box, while the CW-80 has the primary and secondary coil built into the controller.
The CW-80 has programmable voltage outputs, while the BW-80 has fixed 14v accessory outputs.
Jon [8D]
There are actually FOUR transformers using the same external casing:
BW-80
CW-80
30 watt PowerMax
CW-40
Lionel did this with their smaller transformers back in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s too, producing not only different wattage transformers in the same casings, but producing them for both AC and DC output as well. It saves a ton of money on tooling this way.
Jon [8D]
Should I fork out the cash to get a CW-80 or should I get the 1033s fixed?
The 1033 does not have a fast circuit breaker. It has the appropriate 5-ampere automatically-resetting thermal breaker.
I would argue, as indeed I have done many times previously in this arena, that for many purposes there are two versions of the CW-80: the original versions which could be quite problematic, and the revised ones which are greatly improved. If you can, avoid the early version and stick with the revised ones.
The CW-40 is perhaps better known as the PowerMax Plus.
That was the short course. Long course at:
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/132974/1493606.aspx#1493606
How can you tell an old CW-80 vs the new & Improved?
On the bottom of every CW80 manufactured to date, as far as can be determined, there is the phrase “Made in China” followed by either four or five characters. This is evidently a “date of manufacture code.” If four numerical digits, such as 1204, it is an early version. If it has five characters, beginning with the letter G, as in G0607, it is a revised one. Seems to work.
How about pulling the handles off and taking the covers off and posting some pics. The fault may be obvious to either you or someone here who has worked on them. Kind of like the docs doing surgery via cell phones but without the risks. Pete
Yea, looking at the 1033’s is worthwhile. They can be a nice little transformer.
Which is the most kid friendly?