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#Post#: 1037--------------------------------------------------
Running Lionchief on a large layout
By: tlcottone Date: February 22, 2015, 8:02 pm
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Hi there. First time post. I am currently designing a layout
that will run LionChief engines on it. The layout will consist
of 3 sections on 3 4x8 sections. My question is 2 parts. First
can I run three wall packs for each 4x8 section. If not if I
were to power the layout with a CW-80. How many terminal
connections would be feasible? I am attaching a copy of the
design of the layout.
Tom
[attachment deleted by admin]
#Post#: 1038--------------------------------------------------
Re: Running Lionchief on a large layout
By: TrainLarry Date: February 22, 2015, 8:49 pm
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Welcome to the forum!
You can power the layout with multiple power packs as you
suggest, using one terminal track for each.
Using a CW-80 or any other AC transformer to power the layout is
also feasible. Generally it is advised to feed power to the
track at 3 foot intervals to even out power distribution on
larger layouts.
Larry
#Post#: 1039--------------------------------------------------
Re: Running Lionchief on a large layout
By: tlcottone Date: February 22, 2015, 8:58 pm
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Larry thanks for your input. I am thinking of powering with a CW
80. In the yard section of the layout, would I run drops to each
of the three branches. For the rest of the layout, I was
thinking a drop for each loop and using the 3 foot rule on the
mainline. Any special detail for the 2 reversing loops?
#Post#: 1041--------------------------------------------------
Re: Running Lionchief on a large layout
By: TrainLarry Date: February 22, 2015, 11:39 pm
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Tom,
The need for extra feeds to the track comes with experimentation
and the observation of how your trains run. With new, clean
track you may find that you can run your trains with only a
single power connection at the center of the layout.
At the yard section, if you are using new switches with tight
connections, the switches will pass the voltage to the tracks
after them, and you may not need any extra connections. The same
with the reversing loops.
In the end, assemble the track into your configuration, and
start with one power connection and observe how your trains run.
If they run satisfactorily, then no further connections may be
needed. You may add more power connections if you wish, but it
may not be necessary unless you see a marked decrease in
performance at a certain point on the layout.
Larry
#Post#: 1414--------------------------------------------------
Re: Running Lionchief on a large layout
By: turman123 Date: November 29, 2016, 11:53 am
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Good topic same problem as poster
If you connect multiple power packs dc power I am told by Lionel
that some power packs may be out of phase and give you a
problem?
I am building a Z5 foot by 16 foot layout with two main lines
two concentric loops , connected with manual switches , no
accessories , and running two Lionel chief plus engines, no
isolation between loops
One 72 watts power source enough to ?
#Post#: 1461--------------------------------------------------
Re: Running Lionchief on a large layout
By: ehl Date: December 30, 2016, 4:06 pm
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I'm a newby to this forum and I didn't think you can mix
lionchief with a cw-80 as the first is dc and the later ac. This
is why i'm getting rid of my lionchief set. You can't mix the 2
unless your in blocked sections. I like ac control as I can run
all O gauge lionel trains from any era and also use accessories
without a hassle. I tried to put a remote uncoupling section on
my lionchief layout and all it does is short out the operation.
However if you are keeping your layout strictly lionchief,it's a
great technical breakthrough as you can run multiple engines on
the same track almost like dcc but you may have to power
accessories with an ac transformer until lionel comes out with
dc accessories. You can run separate loops within your layout
and mix the 2 as long as they stay separate in every way.
#Post#: 1462--------------------------------------------------
Re: Running Lionchief on a large layout
By: ehl Date: December 30, 2016, 4:23 pm
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In my recent post I may be wrong on the mixing of ac and dc as
in using a cw-80 with lioncheif engines.
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