The BGR (Bruette's Goofy Railroad)
- Thread starter Bruette
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Glad to see you have some time between taking care of your niece.
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The handles on the VW and ZW models are especially vulnerable. I’ve bought two VWs that were poorly packaged, and both times the left handle broke during shipping. While reproduction handles are available, I’m not a fan of them for the VW and ZW models. They use compression rings to secure the handle, which can loosen with frequent use. The originals, on the other hand, used Lionel’s metal spring clips and those never fail.
Speaking of variations, there are many undocumented ones. I have three undocumented variations of the Lionel Type V 150‑watt transformer: one with black lettering on a flat silver faceplate, one with black lettering on a bright, polished‑steel faceplate, and one with red lettering on a flat silver faceplate.
And I thought Lionel had a lot of variations in the early MPC years; it turns out it was nothing new!
I make the most of the good days (most I can) and try to at least accomplish something on the not so good days. I must admit I've missed a few days, but not many.
It's great to hear from you!
The first thing I discovered with Home theater sound systems is they are made for loud dramatic sounds. There is not much effort put into fine sound reproduction. So I definitely do not use it for music.
For my first "home theater" set up I used my 1973 Marantz 4340 (quadraphonic) receiver/amp with 4 Advent Series one speakers. Then a California Sound Designs floor standing speaker (on it side) for the center channel, on a separate amplifier. Don't remember which one. It was sweet but took up so much space. I eventually replace it with a Yamaha 992, and Boise speakers all around. That lasted until the HDMI stuff came out, and that's how I ended up switching to Pioneer. Ended up with a V1, then this VSX-01T XH was my first 7.1 set. None have been set up properly, as comments above.
Oh and my music pleasure. I've been looking for this Album for over 30 years. I've had the 8-track tape and CD versions, but wanted the sweet full sound of a needle in the grove. Finally snagged a copy.
My son and one of my sons-in-law have a taste for high-end gear, and I’m always glad to inherit their hand-me-downs. The Pioneer and Sony home theater systems both came from my son-in-law, while my son is the computer expert. Needless to say, I have lots of stuff!
My wife says it's too loud, most of the time she turns off the subwoofer. She can't blame me; she picked it out.
The Sony speakers I have are from an all-in-one system that belonged to my daughter when she was a teenager. (yes, I am a bit of a pack rat) Neither the system (70 watts per channel) nor the speakers (100 watts max) are high-powered. I'm hoping the Sony setup will work well for watching baseball and be perfect for Christmas movies and music when the holiday season comes around again.
Excluding the gear I already owned, I’ve spent a little over $600 on both home theater systems, Pioneer and Sony.
In the attic, I have my late mom's Westinghouse 55" 4K TV, Pioneer receiver/amp/home theater, a CD player, a DVD/VHS combo, a PS4, and an Xbox, but I still haven’t gotten a turntable. My wife plans to give me one for my birthday, and I’ll be scouring Amazon for a bargain. I love finding a great deal! At least I know to steer clear of direct drive models.
In the basement, there’s a 50" Panasonic Viera plasma TV. The Sony home theater includes a Blu-ray/CD/DVD player and a VHS/DVD recorder. My grandson has his gaming PC and consoles set up at his desk down there.
I can’t remember exactly what the Samsung setup in the living room cost, but I’m pretty sure it was under $1,000, not counting the TV. I’m famously frugal (cheap and proud of it!), but when my wife wants something, I don’t pay any attention to the price. She rarely asks for anything.
My wife likes new things; I like rescuing old stuff.
But I am also the opposite. My first HD TV, ummm 1993ish before anyone else knew what HD meant was a Mitsubishi 55" don't remember the list price but I got the open box floor model for $5000 and thought I was making out like a bandit. I wanted the Pioneer 65" one but it was over 10K. The Sony in the bedroom I was talking about was also open box. Someone bought it. Took it home and it wouldn't fit so they returned it. I got it for cheap compared to an in box one. Took me 2 years to find a place it would fit. Ha! It was out of warrantee before I even turned it on.
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Bruette
Well-Known Member
I'm still perking working and having a ball!
I've been sidetracked by doctors, hospitals, procedures and tests, with more scheduled. As Karl's dad said, "getting old aint for sissies" All we can do is man up and do what we must do. Never fear God is always with us! But I am shocked by the places they can insert cameras!
Whenever I’m in the attic, I get sidetracked by my obsession with Lionel Postwar transformers. I’ve managed to collect at least one of every 100-watt or higher transformer Lionel made during the postwar era, along with several lower-watt models. My main focus has been on what I like to call “Lionel’s Big Iron.” I’ve certainly done my part for the economy, picking up a few special models from dealers and many more from sellers on eBay.
You might be surprised to learn how many different models of transformers Lionel made in the postwar era.
The total numbers of Lionel postwar transformers made easily approaches 1 million. Some estimates put it between 700,000-1,200,000, depending on assumptions.
My favorites by far are the transformers from the late 1940s, when Lionel shifted from producing electrical components for the Navy. The manufacturing standards for transformers in the late 40s and early 50s were incredible! Eventually, cost-cutting measures crept in, but right up until the end of the postwar era, Lionel’s transformers were built to last a lifetime. They were generally designed to be serviced and repaired, which could extend their lifespan indefinitely—a real contrast to today’s disposable manufacturing. American manufacturing at its best! Turning on a Lionel transformer from that era is like powering up American history. I find these old transformers absolutely fascinating!
An upside to my transformer obsession is my work bench in the attic is nearly fully stocked and complete, with diagnostic equipment, tools, lighting, magnifier, various parts and supplies.
The shelves in my storage room are filling up fast. I like to call it my "Holy of Holies," with all due respect to my Jewish brothers and sisters. It’s the innermost part of my attic sanctuary.
My plan is to now switch my focus back to the bench work of the layout. When I need a break from being on my feet I can tool around at my work bench.
As a wise man once said, "You got to keep going or the devil will sneak up and get you!"
God willing, I will have trains running in the attic before too long.
I wish you all the best, thanks for stoping by!
I've been sidetracked by doctors, hospitals, procedures and tests, with more scheduled. As Karl's dad said, "getting old aint for sissies" All we can do is man up and do what we must do. Never fear God is always with us! But I am shocked by the places they can insert cameras!
Whenever I’m in the attic, I get sidetracked by my obsession with Lionel Postwar transformers. I’ve managed to collect at least one of every 100-watt or higher transformer Lionel made during the postwar era, along with several lower-watt models. My main focus has been on what I like to call “Lionel’s Big Iron.” I’ve certainly done my part for the economy, picking up a few special models from dealers and many more from sellers on eBay.
You might be surprised to learn how many different models of transformers Lionel made in the postwar era.
LIONEL ELECTRIC TOY TRAIN TRANSFORMER IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
identification guide to Lionel electric toy train transformers, with arrangement by wattage that Lionel made during the Post-war period
www.tandem-associates.com
My favorites by far are the transformers from the late 1940s, when Lionel shifted from producing electrical components for the Navy. The manufacturing standards for transformers in the late 40s and early 50s were incredible! Eventually, cost-cutting measures crept in, but right up until the end of the postwar era, Lionel’s transformers were built to last a lifetime. They were generally designed to be serviced and repaired, which could extend their lifespan indefinitely—a real contrast to today’s disposable manufacturing. American manufacturing at its best! Turning on a Lionel transformer from that era is like powering up American history. I find these old transformers absolutely fascinating!
An upside to my transformer obsession is my work bench in the attic is nearly fully stocked and complete, with diagnostic equipment, tools, lighting, magnifier, various parts and supplies.
The shelves in my storage room are filling up fast. I like to call it my "Holy of Holies," with all due respect to my Jewish brothers and sisters. It’s the innermost part of my attic sanctuary.
My plan is to now switch my focus back to the bench work of the layout. When I need a break from being on my feet I can tool around at my work bench.
As a wise man once said, "You got to keep going or the devil will sneak up and get you!"
God willing, I will have trains running in the attic before too long.
I wish you all the best, thanks for stoping by!
Kusojiji
RANK AMATEURS OF THE MODEL RAILROAD FORM MEMBER
That's quite a bit! They've been around for a while.
Glad to see you have some time between taking care of your niece.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
The estimated figures of 700,000 to 1,200,000 come from 1945 to 1969, known as the Postwar era in Lionel’s history. By 1966, most transformer production had stopped as Lionel faced declining sales and a large overstock. When MPC (Model Products Corporation) purchased Lionel in 1969, rescuing it from bankruptcy and possible extinction, that overstock carried them well into the early 1980s.
Lionel was officially founded in 1900,
Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
That's good I was getting worried there for a while.
Fewer when one considers the only difference is wattage. But still surprising to me. More surprising is how many of the different types I've owned through the years - and I am not even a Lionel kind of guy. I mostly remember the 1232 because it is the one that brought the "whistling" tender to life. I had no idea it was that old when I was playing with mine in the late 1960s. It says no variations, but mine had a variation. the orange handle was broken
.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
Handles are the weakest point on most postwar Lionel transformers
The handles on the VW and ZW models are especially vulnerable. I’ve bought two VWs that were poorly packaged, and both times the left handle broke during shipping. While reproduction handles are available, I’m not a fan of them for the VW and ZW models. They use compression rings to secure the handle, which can loosen with frequent use. The originals, on the other hand, used Lionel’s metal spring clips and those never fail.
Speaking of variations, there are many undocumented ones. I have three undocumented variations of the Lionel Type V 150‑watt transformer: one with black lettering on a flat silver faceplate, one with black lettering on a bright, polished‑steel faceplate, and one with red lettering on a flat silver faceplate.
And I thought Lionel had a lot of variations in the early MPC years; it turns out it was nothing new!
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the updates! I hope your health is holding up, and I hope you continue to make progress on your layout.
Progress on my own layout has been slower than planned this past winter, but I find that even slow progress can be very theraputic.
I look forward to watching your layout progress.
Progress on my own layout has been slower than planned this past winter, but I find that even slow progress can be very theraputic.
I look forward to watching your layout progress.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
It has its ups and downs. I just ride the tide and thank God I can swim!
I could not agree more!
I make the most of the good days (most I can) and try to at least accomplish something on the not so good days. I must admit I've missed a few days, but not many.
It's great to hear from you!
Bruette
Well-Known Member
Still no progress on the attic layout bench work. I keep getting sidetracked by one thing or another, but I will never give up!
I’ve been tinkering with home theater systems. I stumbled upon a Sony setup in my stash of electronics. That sparked the idea to pair it with the Sony speakers I had in the attic. After some effort, I got them down to the basement, where the Sony system will be hooked up to my old 50" Panasonic Viera plasma TV—still my favorite! As it turns out, the speakers work perfectly with the old Sony system.
Next on the list was finding replacement speakers for the Pioneer Home Theater in the attic. Buying modern gear is never easy for me—I know my way around old-school audio, but modern setups are a whole different world. I also realized I didn’t really understand home theater systems, so I spent some time researching both. Once I felt more confident, I started my search. After hours on Amazon spread over several days, I finally found a pair of Cerwin Vega speakers for the front, a pair of Pyle speakers for the rear, and a Polk Audio center channel speaker. I'm more about quality and value than having a matching set. All the impedances and power ratings check out, and the prices were unbelievably cheap! The speakers arrive tomorrow, and hopefully I’ll have the energy to get everything set up.
I hope and pray Everyone is happy and healthy.
I'll be back - fair warning.
Next on the list was finding replacement speakers for the Pioneer Home Theater in the attic. Buying modern gear is never easy for me—I know my way around old-school audio, but modern setups are a whole different world. I also realized I didn’t really understand home theater systems, so I spent some time researching both. Once I felt more confident, I started my search. After hours on Amazon spread over several days, I finally found a pair of Cerwin Vega speakers for the front, a pair of Pyle speakers for the rear, and a Polk Audio center channel speaker. I'm more about quality and value than having a matching set. All the impedances and power ratings check out, and the prices were unbelievably cheap! The speakers arrive tomorrow, and hopefully I’ll have the energy to get everything set up.
I hope and pray Everyone is happy and healthy.
I'll be back - fair warning.
Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
My new system is actually my FIRST Sony. I've got the Bravado TV, and the matching "sound bar", the sub-woofer and two wireless rear speakers. It claims to be a Dolby 9.1, but I laugh at that. No way the one sound bar can simulate 6 speakers. I mean it has the speakers in it pointing the right direction, but depending on room acoustics to complete the proper reflection angles is just silly. I'm guessing 1 in 10K installations actually accomplish it. So it ends up being a marginal 5.1.
The first thing I discovered with Home theater sound systems is they are made for loud dramatic sounds. There is not much effort put into fine sound reproduction. So I definitely do not use it for music.
Yes, as my comment above. Fortunately my Sony is only for the bedroom. I have a real Yamaha Dolby 9.2 Surround Sound processor for my future home theater room. It has one output for each of the 11 channels. Then I am thinking of adding the 9.2.4 overhead option also. Needs some more research, but it seems a whole lot of work and I don't know how "effective" they really are, but since it isn't set up I might just skip it and move to a new 11.2.4 set. I cannot find one that has all the certifications including THX, Dolby Atmos, DTS, Plus I still require a RGB input for the laser disc player, and inputs for the AKAI quarter track tape, not to mention cash flow issues. Don't have and probably won't have $4000 for the Marantz Cinema unit.
That sounds like an interesting combination.
For my first "home theater" set up I used my 1973 Marantz 4340 (quadraphonic) receiver/amp with 4 Advent Series one speakers. Then a California Sound Designs floor standing speaker (on it side) for the center channel, on a separate amplifier. Don't remember which one. It was sweet but took up so much space. I eventually replace it with a Yamaha 992, and Boise speakers all around. That lasted until the HDMI stuff came out, and that's how I ended up switching to Pioneer. Ended up with a V1, then this VSX-01T XH was my first 7.1 set. None have been set up properly, as comments above.
Oh and my music pleasure. I've been looking for this Album for over 30 years. I've had the 8-track tape and CD versions, but wanted the sweet full sound of a needle in the grove. Finally snagged a copy.
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Kusojiji
RANK AMATEURS OF THE MODEL RAILROAD FORM MEMBER
I gave up on my home theater. Had a Lexicon in the box for several years and finally threw it away a few years ago. I have a center speaker staring at me right now, not even hooked up, so will probably get rid of it and make room for a turntable.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
When I started, my attic looked like a storage warehouse. You wouldn’t believe the pile of stuff I’ve gathered for the electronics recycling center.
My son and one of my sons-in-law have a taste for high-end gear, and I’m always glad to inherit their hand-me-downs. The Pioneer and Sony home theater systems both came from my son-in-law, while my son is the computer expert. Needless to say, I have lots of stuff!
In our living room, we have a Samsung TV, a Samsung soundbar, and a Samsung subwoofer. It sounds great to me, especially considering that I am legally deaf.
My wife says it's too loud, most of the time she turns off the subwoofer. She can't blame me; she picked it out. Now you are well above my pay grade! Both of my systems are 5.1, i think. Obviously, I haven't learned much.
At first, I didn't know why but Dolby sounded like crap for music. I switched to two-channel mode on the Pioneer, and it sound great for music. I can't wait to hear the Cerwin Vegas. The Sony home theater has a music button.
The Sony speakers I have are from an all-in-one system that belonged to my daughter when she was a teenager. (yes, I am a bit of a pack rat) Neither the system (70 watts per channel) nor the speakers (100 watts max) are high-powered. I'm hoping the Sony setup will work well for watching baseball and be perfect for Christmas movies and music when the holiday season comes around again.
Holy Maceral Andy! Many of the cars I have owned cost less than that!
Excluding the gear I already owned, I’ve spent a little over $600 on both home theater systems, Pioneer and Sony.
In the attic, I have my late mom's Westinghouse 55" 4K TV, Pioneer receiver/amp/home theater, a CD player, a DVD/VHS combo, a PS4, and an Xbox, but I still haven’t gotten a turntable. My wife plans to give me one for my birthday, and I’ll be scouring Amazon for a bargain. I love finding a great deal! At least I know to steer clear of direct drive models.
In the basement, there’s a 50" Panasonic Viera plasma TV. The Sony home theater includes a Blu-ray/CD/DVD player and a VHS/DVD recorder. My grandson has his gaming PC and consoles set up at his desk down there.
I can’t remember exactly what the Samsung setup in the living room cost, but I’m pretty sure it was under $1,000, not counting the TV. I’m famously frugal (cheap and proud of it!), but when my wife wants something, I don’t pay any attention to the price. She rarely asks for anything.
My wife likes new things; I like rescuing old stuff.
I’m really excited to watch ball games with Dolby sound, as I love the atmosphere of stadiums. A good home theater system should capture all the ambient sounds. I did learn a few things.
Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
I always look at Samsung equipment. I especially wanted one of the curved screen TVs. But for one reason or another I always end up with some other brand.
That is wonderfully sufficient for 99% of the applications. The higher levels are for seriously trying to create a home theater, and in my opinion require special rooms to capture all that acoustic wonderfulness. For a while I thought mine was better than many of the cinemas around town. And just yesterday I found they now have a 11.2.4 system. The .2 is stereo subwoofers. the .4 is overhead speakers. Didn't figure out where the other 2 surround speakers would go.
Yes all the simulated environments it tries to do. My car stereo is the same. So much better on just stereo mode.
I get lots of my equipment from thrift stores, especially the ones in the high class neighborhoods. Rich folks upgrade and just dump their prior units. All the Denon equipment I have is from Thrift stores, and most of the DVD/blue ray. Everyone is going streaming and dumping that stuff.
But I am also the opposite. My first HD TV, ummm 1993ish before anyone else knew what HD meant was a Mitsubishi 55" don't remember the list price but I got the open box floor model for $5000 and thought I was making out like a bandit. I wanted the Pioneer 65" one but it was over 10K. The Sony in the bedroom I was talking about was also open box. Someone bought it. Took it home and it wouldn't fit so they returned it. I got it for cheap compared to an in box one. Took me 2 years to find a place it would fit. Ha! It was out of warrantee before I even turned it on.
I now have so many TVs I have lost track. At least 7 in this main house, not including one I bought for my office and haven't installed. And then there is the school house, which I also think there are 7 not counting CRT type.
I am waiting for someone to come up with a direct drive that is not on a center shaft. The motor would be by magnets all around the rim of the table pulled by electros syncing in the base. Should be easy to do with today's digital technology. I've not seen anyone using or even talking about that design yet. I think if done right one could even get the whole table to float.
Kusojiji
RANK AMATEURS OF THE MODEL RAILROAD FORM MEMBER
That would be cool. I remember a computer fan of that basic design a long time ago.
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