Power for 3 Rail Toy Trains - Page 2 of 2
Transformers reduce 115 volt ac current to power these toy trains at 5 to 25 volts ac.
Transformer Examples Continued
The following transformers can be easily
combined in one layout.
Page 1 has photos of MTH Z4000, Lionel Postwar ZW and Z. Page
2 continues with the MTH Z750 Brick,
and Lionel 1025 and 4851.
All must be phased when tied
together on one layout.
MTH Z750 78 Watt 21V Brick
(included in a set)
Use "as is" with MTH Z-Controller #40-1000B or as TIU AUX power.
| This 78 watt
brick was included in a 2001 MTH set. The Run Room uses one of these to power two MTHDCS TIUs. |
Plug an "In Line 2.1MM DC Power Jack" with a 2 line cord into the 21V factory plug and the other end of the power jack cord can be tied into a terminal strip. |
 |
 |
| Lionel 1025 45
Watts 8-15V This 1025 Powered a MTH TIU |
The DC Power Plug Open for Wire
Installation is Shown at Bottom of Photo. |
 |
 |
 |
Lionel 4851
15VA 7-19V This Transformer has the Stop for Children to Run Motorized Units on a Floor Loop. |
 |
 |
The following group of transformers are
good for stand alone use.
Photos of postwar Lionel 1033 and KW, Lionel 4660, and Wall
Transformers.
 |
 |
 |
Postwar Lionel 1033
90Watt 5-16V Black handle is whistle and direction control. Red handle is track variable voltage control. Good for running one train and one or two accessories. See 1033 on Chart to wire 11 and 16 fixed voltages. |
 |
 |
PDF File with 1033 Repair Information and Diagrams
 |
Lionel Postwar KW 190 Watts 2 Variable Voltage Outputs 6-20V Each variable voltage tap has a Direction button and whistle control. 6, 14, and 20V fixed voltage outputs are available following this chart for the KW. This KW was ideal for powering the Double Helix displayed at RMDTCA toy train shows. One handle controlled the UP track and the other handle controlled the DOWN track. The fixed voltages controlled the accessories |
For in Depth Information see Tranz4mr’s KW Page with a KW Rebuild.
Front View showing the Barrel Diode that was used to replace a bad whistle Rectifier disc.
Right side of KW showing worn Carbon Pickup Rollers. This KW needs servicing.
 |
Lionel Modern Model 4660
7 Watts Output 0-17 V DC and 20 V AC The top two terminals are DC contacts for variable track voltage. The two terminals under the warning label are AC contacts. "WARNING: Use this side for accessories only. May cause damage to locomotive motor." This 4660 came with a 1995 trolley set and the trolley is an AC unit. (AC trains can run on DC current, but AC current may damage a DC motor.) |
Wall Transformers aka
Wall Warts
Leftover wall warts can be used for special operating accessories.
All wall warts should be UL Listed and labeled with Primary and
Secondary information. See caution note under photos.
| The traditional coil transformer below has heft. | The newer transformers are light weight and the output is generated with electronic circuitry. |
 |
 |
Damage may occur to sensitive circuits
with improper transformer.
AC and DC Wall Transformers are seldom regulated. They provide
a specified voltage at a specified load. If the load is lower
that specified, the voltage will be higher than specified.
With a higher load, the voltage will drop below that specified.
Examples: A 12 volt 500 ma wall transformer may read 20 volts
with no load or 9 volts with a 600 ma load. The ac
current on a dc transformer should read zero, so If you read ac
current the dc current is "ratty".
See example of AC to DC Converter Module for animated signs.
The following transformer is one of the
few modern lemons.
This Lionel CW-80 was part of a 2004 Thomas and Friends set.
The reviews on this transformer were so
bad, this one was never used. Later versions may be OK.
My Thomas is controlled with a postwar
ZW with Sound
Button.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Return to Power for 3 Rail Toy Trains - Page 1