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Electric train voltage question
Posted on 1/14/15 at 9:32 pm
Posted on 1/14/15 at 9:32 pm
Not sure if this is the correct board, but here goes....
I'm getting a vintage (late 1940's) Lionel train set from a family member and am trying to figure out if I can run it on a modern transformer with the train my daughter just got me.....both trains are O gauge and the newer train runs on AC
The vintage train was top of the line when it was bought and has a lot of accessories
Can anyone here assist or do I have to throw myself on the mercy of the OT?
I'm getting a vintage (late 1940's) Lionel train set from a family member and am trying to figure out if I can run it on a modern transformer with the train my daughter just got me.....both trains are O gauge and the newer train runs on AC
The vintage train was top of the line when it was bought and has a lot of accessories
Can anyone here assist or do I have to throw myself on the mercy of the OT?
6
Posted on 1/14/15 at 9:51 pm to vl100butch
Have you done any research to see the operating voltage of the old train? Does it match the transformer/new train voltage?
Posted on 1/14/15 at 9:52 pm to vl100butch
You will need to find the voltage range and frequency of the vintage train and compare it to the voltage and frequency of the modern train. If they match, You will also need to verify that the modern transformer on the newer train, along with any materials that conduct current, can handle the load of both trains running simultaneously.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 10:02 pm to vl100butch
They will run on anywhere from 14-18 volts.
I have a huge O gauge layout (yes, trains are my other hobby)
I have a huge O gauge layout (yes, trains are my other hobby)
Posted on 1/14/15 at 10:08 pm to vl100butch
Is the new train running on FasTrack from Lionel?
The old trains were variable voltage and went from 0-18 volts max....the more voltage you gave them, the faster they went.
The newer one may be remote operated and apply a fixed voltage to the track and voltage may be controlled through a PCB in the engine from a signal from the remote.
What is the new Lionel set like? Does it have a remote? Is it just a transformer with a throttle for faster/slower?
I run full blown TMCC from Lionel via remote and also locos from the 1930's on the same layout.
The old trains were variable voltage and went from 0-18 volts max....the more voltage you gave them, the faster they went.
The newer one may be remote operated and apply a fixed voltage to the track and voltage may be controlled through a PCB in the engine from a signal from the remote.
What is the new Lionel set like? Does it have a remote? Is it just a transformer with a throttle for faster/slower?
I run full blown TMCC from Lionel via remote and also locos from the 1930's on the same layout.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 10:13 pm to vl100butch
A couple of pics of my work in progress...
Posted on 1/14/15 at 11:59 pm to Marco Esquandolas
Damn, that's a nice setup you have there. I've always admired electric model trains, just don't have the patience to fool with them.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 12:23 am to RogerTheShrubber
Roger, I am watching a discovery special on Alaskan earthquakes right now!!
Yikes!...get outta there man!
Yikes!...get outta there man!
Posted on 1/15/15 at 3:54 am to Marco Esquandolas
First off thanks....the new train doesn't have a remote, but the traditional transformer speed control with a a button to blow the whistle....
I won't have the specs on the older set until I look at it....
Nice layout.......
I won't have the specs on the older set until I look at it....
Nice layout.......
Posted on 1/15/15 at 6:41 am to Marco Esquandolas
quote:
Is the new train running on FasTrack from Lionel?
the new train came with FasTrack and it's supposed to run on 18 volts AC...
I won't have the vintage train until this weekend, but I anticipate it's going to be AC...
Can I run the new train on the old O gauge track (which has at least one switch and a figure 8 connector as well...from what I can remember)
the neatest thing I know is that the vintage train has the milk car with the guy that unloads the cans...
Posted on 1/15/15 at 9:02 am to vl100butch
quote:That is very cool. When I was 4 or 5 my parents got me a Lionel O-27 set for Christmas. My dad actually took the track, created the oval and mounted it on a big piece of wood and ran the wires underneath it, etc. It had the mail car that would actually "throw" the mailbag and the log car that would dump the logs. As a kid I was fascinated by the ability of it to do either. A couple of years later I got the Lionel L.A.S.E.R. Train Set, but it was no where near as cool.
the neatest thing I know is that the vintage train has the milk car with the guy that unloads the cans...
quote:Very nice setup, and I am jealous. I would love to have the room, time and money to do something like that. I still have the entire L.A.S.E.R. set and most if not all of the rolling stock from the older one in storage. I keep saying I want to get it all out and do a loop around the Christmas tree one year, but I never get around to it.
Marco Esquandolas
Posted on 1/15/15 at 9:23 am to diat150
quote:
voltage range and frequency of the vintage train and compare it to the voltage and frequency of the modern train.
Unless the train came from Europe, it'll be 60Hz. Two things that matter for the output of the transformer....voltage (obviously) and amperage. If the amperage output is too high, you can damage stuff, if its too low, it won't work.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 9:31 am to SaintEB
quote:
If the amperage output is too high
The current rating on the transformer is just the capacity. I may have misunderstood what you said, but if the transformer is rated for say 10A, it can supply up to 10A to the loads. If there's more load, the transformer will heat up and fail. The transformer can't "push" too many amps to the loads and damage them.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:00 am to STBTigerr
quote:
The current rating on the transformer is just the capacity. I may have misunderstood what you said, but if the transformer is rated for say 10A, it can supply up to 10A to the loads. If there's more load, the transformer will heat up and fail. The transformer can't "push" too many amps to the loads and damage them.
Agreed. I was simply (and poorly, apparently) saying that if the transformer outputs 10A and the train can only take 5A, then you can damage the train.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 12:10 pm to vl100butch
You should be able to run the old and the new engines on both the old track and the newer FasTrack.
The voltage is variable AC from the transformer. The older locos ran on AC (the Lionel Pullmor open frame motor), while the locos from the last 30 years or so use a "can" motor. These "can" motors are DC motors but have voltage rectifiers in line so they can run with an AC transformer.
That being said, you should be good to go to run them both on any O-gauge 3-rail track system.
enjoy...
The voltage is variable AC from the transformer. The older locos ran on AC (the Lionel Pullmor open frame motor), while the locos from the last 30 years or so use a "can" motor. These "can" motors are DC motors but have voltage rectifiers in line so they can run with an AC transformer.
That being said, you should be good to go to run them both on any O-gauge 3-rail track system.
enjoy...
Posted on 1/15/15 at 12:20 pm to vl100butch
Do you guys find everything online now? I know years ago they had a model train store in the mall, but I haven't seen any local stores near New Orleans that carry model trains anymore.
End of thread hijack
End of thread hijack
Posted on 1/15/15 at 12:43 pm to crazytigerfan69
Electric Train Depot is a really nice place--the best in LA. His inventory is huge ($500k+). It is on Hwy.51 in Ponchatoula about a mile after you exit off I-55, just after the railroad track crossing.
Mike's in Kenner on Williams Blvd. is open, but not worth a crap--it is terrible.
Mike's in Kenner on Williams Blvd. is open, but not worth a crap--it is terrible.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 1:32 pm to Marco Esquandolas
can you still get Super O?
I'm going to have a mix of Fastrack and straight O...
I'm going to have a mix of Fastrack and straight O...
Posted on 1/15/15 at 3:21 pm to Marco Esquandolas
Nice Pike!
Posted on 1/15/15 at 4:57 pm to vl100butch
quote:
can you still get Super O? I'm going to have a mix of Fastrack and straight O...
Yes and no...
There is, I believe, a 3rd party that is making a repro of the "Super-O" from the 1950's Lionel. That track had the very thin center rail that was blackened.
The problem with the old Super-O is that it was only offered in 0-36 curves, and most of the newer full scale offerings of today need O-72 curves. The modern toy stuff will work, but the more expensive scale stuff will not go through such a tight curve.
I use Gar Graves track with Ross Custom Switches for the turnouts. The Gar Graves is hard to beat for the modeler looking for more realism.
I will say, however, that Lionel really did a fantastic job when they designed the FasTrack system about 10 years ago. It is virtually indestructible, looks great, and offers a crapload of features and track curves...(O-36, 42, 54, 60, 72, 80, & 96 I believe)
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