Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Found a box in the basement with some of my old Lionel train trestle uprights, and the end of the box the Transformer came in. Took the transformer off the shelf and brushed off the dust. They are listed on eBay for around 600.00 bucks! Watched a few Videos on how to test them, way past my ability to understand, guess watts are a household wiring deal, don't remember them being mentioned is automotive discussions. Cycles are another new to me electrical thing. Transformer last ran 60 years ago, wonder if there is life still left inside it?
60 cycles in the US, 50 cycles most other places (including Aussie power). Beautifully made transformer… from back when stuff was bolted together and repairable. Insulation inside might be a little brittle after 60 years. Mebbe get an electrician (called a sparky down here) to take a quick look in the box before connecting up to 110. cheers, Harv
I have that same transformer as many others do, and still use it year round. Its a really good transformer and although its hard to see in the picture, most times the only thing that needs to be replaced is the power cord. Clean up the outside of it, If your not sure, look around in your areas for a train club or open house, someone there will help you
There are a lot of YouTube videos, and new parts on eBay. I did plug the transformer in and a green light lit up. If the red one lights up I guess you unplug it and place it outside to burn.
the red light bulb is probably burned out, that transformer can run two separate tracks. Move the lever on the right and the green light should come on as power goes to track and off when power is off, same with the right lever_ red light. if you plugged it in and everything seemed good, lights on and no smell of over heating more then not its in good working condition. If you have some track and an engine, wire up a small section and give it a test. These were transformers built by Lionel to last
It was a good 58 years ago when the train set produced the first electrical fire I ever smelt. Took it apart and stored my first Model T down there. Does the track need to be set up in a circle to work or just a few straight links? Need to buy a new connector from the transformer to track.
Yup.....thought I could have my train set from the 1950's ready for our one and only 5yr old grandson this last Christmas, but started too late. Moved the box off the workbench and under my office desk. Need to get some professional help on it. Best of luck to you
All that old train stuff was built to last…even the low cost Marx stuff! Any problems…just check out the appropriate YouTube videos…plenty of help there.
Brings back many good memories, I had train sets, had the whole deal 4'x8' w/'4'x4' layout, switch's, paper mache tunnel, plastic house kits, painted streets, etc, my Dad built the table, helped with wiring. I was a very lucky kid as my parents, especially my Mother encouraged me in any interest I had. My Dad's motto was figure it out, which made me learn how to think things through. My parents were not wealthy, I'm not a silver spoon kid but now as an old timer I realize How Lucky I was having them for my parents.
Yep, as a kid, I lucked out too, with great parents. I had some nice Lionel trains, that taught me the art of tinkering with stuff. Along the way I’ve found an appreciation for lots of old stuff…including old toys. Marx trains weren’t as fancy as Lionel stuff, but Louis Marx was a real genius…his trains were budget priced, but mechanically well built. With a little cleaning and oiling and maybe a little tuning up (YouTube guided), most of them will once again run! Picked up the train set in the above video, on Marketplace…for $25 (cheap entertainment) , a month or so ago. Got out one of my Lionel transformers, and a couple of days later (tinkering), it was flying around the track. Good way to shorten our Wisconsin winters…which seem to be getting shorter every year!
37 Kid, what are you going to do when you run out NEXT Christmases? The little horse trader, Bobby, will take care of it for you.
He just put up a 20 foot long greenhouse, and installed lights in it. Could be a train house next November.
Bob there's really nothing to be afraid of its just a little shock testing if that old Lionel transformer works. But being from Connecticut American Flyer trains made in New Haven were always the ones to get being far more accurate with two rail track. As a kid I had a lot of Flyer trains figured out that electricity stuff at a very young age. Still play with trains as an older adult here's a couple of the dozens I have.
That three rail track that Lionel had always bothered me from an esthetical point of view. I have no idea how 3 or 2 rails can work, or any electrical item for that matter. That "it's just like water in a hose" analogy is a bigger mystery. Volts, watts, amps and all the other components in that mixed bag, can never be understood, so it is best to keep hitting things with hammers and painting them.
As a kid my Dad warned me about electricity. So one time I stuck my finger in a light socket to see how bad it was.
The Jalopy Journal
