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#Post#: 627--------------------------------------------------
help needed, PLEASE . don't want to mess this one up.
By: temler Date: April 19, 2014, 1:10 pm
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Hi all
Please read and help, i know it is long but it is my first email
and i need this help so much PLEASE ;D
I hope i put this in the right place. i am kind of new to forums
never had time to use computer for fun before.
Got injured and now stuck in wheel chair and had to close
construction company. i loved to build home so now i have
replaced that love with building in a smaller scale 1/48 of
what i was use to. now i am getting to the point of figuring out
the wiring and control system for this layout. i have 35
turnouts and will have a lot of cool ad on like all kinds of
lights and gates and anything else i can find or make so i am in
need of some help figuring out what all i need to control all of
this, i don't mean every piece of wire, i just want to know what
is the best controller and what all accessory to it will i need.
i think i have leaned toward legacy. but i would like to know
what equipment i need to use MTH locos later. I have about a
dozen or so postwar Lionel engines so i want to run the
conventional. maybe one of them i will try to up grade and put
board into it.
My room is 30 by 25 kind of an L shape for now with more room to
grow.
Please help me with a list of everything i would need to have to
be able to control all the old and all the new engines i will
running. conventional and controlled plus what i need to run MTH
if i buy some of those engines. please forgive me if i am not
calling things correct. i am NEW and need you help. I have read
everything i can on the internet for the last 2 weeks and they
all say different things so i thought your group sounded like
the best place to ask. one last Question am i making the right
choice with going with legacy or should i go with MTH DCS. or
both. Using Ross switches or self made ones. using tortoise
switch controls. 0.148 3 rail o gauge. using .125 third rail,
going to wire it so i can run my old engine conventional, but
want my controller to do all the controlling, i read legacy does
that with no problem. what are all of your thoughts. I know
this is long but this is the only thing i have not decide on. i
think i am going to get both but start with legacy. so what all
do i need to order. what all do i need I am sure there is a
special box to run conventionally, just need some one to tell me
what all i need and is there a special wiring harness or cable i
need. thanks for all your help.
Tim E
thanks for all of your help.
#Post#: 628--------------------------------------------------
Re: help needed, PLEASE . don't want to mess this one up.
By: rob1991 Date: April 19, 2014, 2:47 pm
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Hi Tim,
I am need to working on wiring but I find it more helpful
understanding how to wire up a layout when Iorder a few books
about wireing layouts off of amazon and there are some dvds that
will go into more detals about layouts and wiring as well. I am
a guy that just runs only lionel trains. I do have legacy and
use that on legacy engines and also tmcc engines. I didn't get
to the point of hooking up access. Yet or the switches to legacy
yet. But i stay away from mth because there new trains won't
rum with legacy. You would need to buy dcs system as well if you
want to run both lionel and mth. The legacy sytem hooks up to
your track with one wire for the ground. You can hook that to
the track of the tracks that your runing legacy trains on. Also
I have a few post war and pre war trains. I find they run great
with a type Z 250 watt transformer its from the earley 30s but
you can still find them. Around. Lionel does sell some smaller.
Transformer but I find troble running some older engines bc the
enginess would need more power. And the small transformer have
problms running postwar fms and gg -1 but some engines will work
but you could always buy the new ZW.but then you be paying a lot
more for that when an older visson of the transformer will give
you a lot power with four knobs for you can use for four tracks
or two for lights and asseory power and the legacy. Tracks you
can run more then one train with one koble because the trains
reads.how fast to go from the legacy base but have a couple
track loops for post war. And engines that don't have computer.
Chips in it for you can use the knob to control the speed and
also just gets some books about wiring and dvd about to make
layouts they show you a lot of info on how to do a lot to your
layout and how to hookeverything you want up.
I hope that's helps,
-Rob
#Post#: 632--------------------------------------------------
Re: help needed, PLEASE . don't want to mess this one up.
By: TrainLarry Date: April 20, 2014, 12:01 pm
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I would recommend starting with the complete Legacy package with
the ZW transformer for power with all interconnecting cables.
That will allow you to run all the new and old conventional
trains with one controller. Accessory controllers will need to
be purchased if you wish to control your accessories via remote.
(HTM) http://www.electricrr.com/AcDcCommander.htm.
has an upgrade
board for older conventional locos if you wish to upgrade them
to command control.
Larry
#Post#: 634--------------------------------------------------
Re: help needed, PLEASE . don't want to mess this one up.
By: temler Date: April 22, 2014, 5:23 pm
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thanks to all of you for your help. Is it a good idea to shop
for power supplies on ebay or Craigslist. I sure wish I could
find a local auction or a collector that is no longer collecting
that is willing to sell some of there collection.
thanks to all.
temler
#Post#: 635--------------------------------------------------
Re: help needed, PLEASE . don't want to mess this one up.
By: TrainLarry Date: April 22, 2014, 8:54 pm
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There are plenty of used transformers to be had out there.
Unless you are willing to rebuild it, get a refurbished unit.
For the bigger transformers such as KW and ZW, replacement power
cords, rollers, whistle rectifiers and possibly circuit breakers
should be looked into.
Larry
#Post#: 636--------------------------------------------------
Re: help needed, PLEASE . don't want to mess this one up.
By: temler Date: April 24, 2014, 9:07 am
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thanks again for all your help.
Larry: are parts for used transformers hard to find. i love
rebuilding things and enjoy fixing any thing. where is the best
place to find used transformers? I am from Ohio and i just
started looking for train shows and i can't find any in my area.
It looks like a few of the shows were in Dec. of last year and
Jan. of this year.
so if you all don't mind helping me out again i would like to
know the best places to find parts for Lionel transformer and
also Lionel engine parts. I am going to try to stick with O
gauge and S gauge.
thanks for your time and you comments
Tim
#Post#: 637--------------------------------------------------
Re: help needed, PLEASE . don't want to mess this one up.
By: TrainLarry Date: April 24, 2014, 9:09 pm
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Glad to help you out, Tim.
First, for postwar Lionel servicing, the one stop site for
service manuals is
Oplsens.
(HTM) http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd1.htm.
Exploded
views and parts listings for locomotives, operating cars,
transformers, switch tracks and accessories can be found there.
Part numbers for most parts are on the diagrams. Olsens also
sells parts, as well as The Train Tender
(HTM) http://www.ttender.com/partslist.html
(HTM) http://www.ttender.com/partslist.html
and
Brasseurs
(HTM) http://www.traindoctor.com/service/lionel/0to120.php
(HTM) http://www.traindoctor.com/service/lionel/0to120.php.
There are
other parts dealers, but these are the most referenced.
Larry
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