very basic question..maybe not a basic answer..


Airslide

Airslide

The Flange Squeal
Howdy,

warning: I know nothing about O scale operations.

Later this year I will need to set up a rather long oval to run about 30 or 40 cars.
I purchased an engine today at a show. It has dual motor and pretty heavy. The guy I bought it from had a test track and tested it out. from what I could see it ran pretty well.

My question is, what exactly do I need as far as power supply, to make this engine run continuously in one direction and haul up to 40 cars or so?

any help is greatly appreciated

thanks
 
I have a little 0 scale and I know it's an AC power supply.
I'd say a dual motor loco should run on a basic 0 scale pack?
 
I need a little bit more information to be able to try and answer your question.

1. The make and model of your locomotive, is it 2 rail or 3 rail and a ball park idea of when it was made. If you have a model number I can look up the rest.

2. How old are the cars you will be pulling. Most cars made after 1970 have Lionel's fast action wheels (or copies) and they significantly reduce rolling resistance.

3. Are the cars your locomotive will be pulling lighted?

4. Will any accessories run off of track power or the accessory terminal of the transformer you will use to run the train?
 
Bruette said:
I need a little bit more information to be able to try and answer your question.

1. The make and model of your locomotive, is it 2 rail or 3 rail and a ball park idea of when it was made. If you have a model number I can look up the rest.
Click to expand...

no model number or branding. the only thing on the unit is "Williams electric trains". it has three small switches on the bottom (fwd, reverse & auto). it is 3 rail. I will be using fasttrack btw.

Bruette said:
2. How old are the cars you will be pulling. Most cars made after 1970 have Lionel's fast action wheels (or copies) and they significantly reduce rolling resistance.
Click to expand...

MOST of the cars I will be running are built after 1970 and are a combination of Weaver, MTH, RailKing and some newer Lionel.

Bruette said:
3. Are the cars your locomotive will be pulling lighted?
Click to expand...

none of the cars will be lighted.

Bruette said:
4. Will any accessories run off of track power or the accessory terminal of the transformer you will use to run the train?
Click to expand...

no accessories. just continuous run for aprox 6 or 7 hours over the course of 2 evenings.


thanks
 
From what you have told me so far I would say a minimum of an 80 watt transformer Should be sufficient to run your train. If you can post a picture of your locomotive I may know for sure.

You could pick up this MTH 100 watt transformer from MB Klein/Model Train Stuff for $84.99 http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/MTH-O-40-1000-Z-1000-Transformer-p/mth-40-1000.htm

Also at MB Klein, Lionel CW80 http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Lionel-O-6-14198-CW-80-80-Watt-Transformer-p/lio-6-14198.htm

A new Lionel CW80 (80 watt AC transformer) can be bought on eBay for under $70 including shipping, sometimes much less if you have time to bid on auctions as opposed to "buy it now" Most of these new CW80 transformers are sold by eBay dealers who buy Lionel sets and break them up to sell them piece by piece.

Do you already have your FasTrack? If not you could buy one of these new Track and Power Packs to get you started, they include a CW80 transformer http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Lionel-O-FasTrack-Oval-Track-and-Power-Pack-p/lio-6-81734.htm

I would be interested to see some pictures of your train when you get it finished, I wish you well!
 
IMG_6730.jpgIMG_6731.jpg
Bruette said:
From what you have told me so far I would say a minimum of an 80 watt transformer Should be sufficient to run your train. If you can post a picture of your locomotive I may know for sure.
You could pick up this MTH 100 watt transformer from MB Klein/Model Train Stuff for $84.99 http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/MTH-O-40-1000-Z-1000-Transformer-p/mth-40-1000.htm
Also at MB Klein, Lionel CW80 http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Lionel-O-6-14198-CW-80-80-Watt-Transformer-p/lio-6-14198.htm
A new Lionel CW80 (80 watt AC transformer) can be bought on eBay for under $70 including shipping, sometimes much less if you have time to bid on auctions as opposed to "buy it now" Most of these new CW80 transformers are sold by eBay dealers who buy Lionel sets and break them up to sell them piece by piece.
Do you already have your FasTrack? If not you could buy one of these new Track and Power Packs to get you started, they include a CW80 transformer http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Lionel-O-FasTrack-Oval-Track-and-Power-Pack-p/lio-6-81734.htm
I would be interested to see some pictures of your train when you get it finished, I wish you well!
Click to expand...

Thanks Bruette. I’ll check some of those out…photos of the engine are attached.
Considering the 80w transformer would work, would I be able to haul up to 40 cars off that one power source AND off that one engine?
I have six 3’ sections for O scale fasttrack so far. I plan on getting several more to make about a 20’ (+/-) oval.
Would 80 watts be able to runn that length of track AND that many cars.
What brand would you recommend? I have been pleased with MTH’s rolling stock over Lionel for years. Their detail and scale is far superior in my opinion – but not sure how that translates into operation and control devices.
Again, not looking for a lot of control, speed or bells and whistles. I’ll probably just turn it on and let it run. It’s more for display than operation.
Something like this I would probably buy new or in a store. I like ebay for cars and non-electrical stuff. But it would be worth it to me to pay a little extra for being able to walk into a store a touch and test what I am going to buy.

Here is one of the cars from my set. The rest are in storage right now.
img_1218.jpg
 
otiscnj I believe you are correct and from your identification with your keen eye I believe I have found some more specific information.

I think what you have is a Williams by Bachmann SD45 model number 21704 here is one I found on the web http://www.collector-modeltrains.com/dash/universe/catalog_item/MT-0171752/ TOur locomotive has a 6 amp motor. 80 watts should be sufficient provided it is in good working order.

Freight cars trains are limited in length by several factors. Pulling power, traction, power supply, strength of couplers, track length and to a lessor extent minimum curve. For freight cars you can figure between 9"-12" for Lionel's traditional scale, Williams semi-scale or MTH's Railking line. Standard O or full scale can be longer.

What I would do is put it on the track starting with your favorite fright cars and add them one at a time to see how it goes.

I am sorry I took so long to get back to you. I look forward to seeing your train.
 
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