I have a set I bought for my son, one with DCC/sound-equipped F3's, and I'm using a 275W transformer, I forget the type, but it has handles on both ends, and weighs a ton. It's from my late grandfather, and is every bit of 40 years old. Anyways, with this transformer, and new track, the engine starts up, the sound and all,a nd I almost have to max the throttle before it moves the train. The I back the throttle back down, and it runs fine at slower speeds. I don't have the dough to buy the whole lionel DCC setup, so this will have to do. Is the jumpiness caused by the transformer?
Hemi- At 275 watts. sounds like a "ZW" transformer. Which on the size loop you have, should power the engine to run like a rocket! And those aren't cheap to replace, either! Almost sounds like it's the engine. I assume it's 100% compatible with that ZW? Am not familiar with those newer Lionel systems. But I can't be sure from here. The ZW will have contact roller wear. But I don't know how much use it's had. Boxcab E50
I agree that it could be the old"ness" of the ZW, which is what it sounds like you have. My grandfather purchased my father's, which I use as well, and I took it to a local hobby store and had them check it out for me for a few bucks. They put a new power cable on it and gave me the "thumbs up". I had the same issue when I was running my 4 loops (54", 45", 36" and 27") then I went to try and run TMCC, and the local hobby store and everything I read in Classic Toy Trains, suggest that you run power for your trains every 6 feet of track. It makes a HUGE difference. Unless you have lots of accessories or engines running at once, (I have 4 engines on 1 ZW) you can probably get by with 1 ZW, as you grow, you might want to add another. Good luck, mtraininjax Another thing I did not address. In your post you mention DCC and Lionel, they are not the compatible. DCC should be DCS, Digital Command System from Mike's Train House (MTH) and Lionel's system is TMCC, Train Master Command Control. You can run DCS with Lionel TMCC equipment, but you will need the following: (1) CAB-1 (Model 6-12868), (1) 135 PowerMaster (Model 6-12867). That will let you operate any locomotive made with any sort of command control. You will not have the full DCS features, but at least it will work. Another note, TMCC version 2, is set to come out soon, so many of us in the Lionel Hobby are hoping TMCC version 1 (current version) prices will fall soon. [ December 24, 2005, 03:42 PM: Message edited by: mtraininjax ]
Hemi: That transformer is a ZW, the powerhouse of Lionel transformers in the golden era 1949-1965. I don't know if the ZW can run today's loco's without the problems you noticed.Once the loco is running and can be slowed down to slower speeds indicates a problem with the ZW communicating with the loco. I would have it checked out. If you ran older Lionel loco's, you probably wouldn't have aproblem with the transformer. Stay cool and run steam.....
