Thanks, Bob, for a great video. Your loyalty to your fans is fantastic! Enjoyed the train run. Always nice to see the steamers. The wiring tutorial was really helpful, too. Big thanks for everything you do to inform your fans and support the hobby!
Thank you for the kind words Tom. If not for you guys I wouldn't continue. I try to accommodate everyone as much as possible. Ive been in this hobby for 40 years and still somethings I learn lol. Just trying to pass the secrets to make it a bit easier.
Bob, your videos never cease to amaze me. I run post war Lionel and Marx on two separate layouts, albeit small ones due to space limitations. Your locomotives are fantastic. During my railroad career I had the opportunity to ride in a GG1. The horn on your model replicates the ones on the GG1's; brings back fond memories of times past. Thank you for all of your effort in presenting these wonderful videos.
Thank you Gary, I appreciate you watching and your kind word. Although it wasnt running I was in the cab of 4877 when it was in Hoboken. The GG1 is an icon. I am working on some new ideas and scenes for upcoming videos. I hope you enjoy..
Very nice! I like railroads and model railroading as a whole. All gauges. Favorites; D&H, WM, Reading and C&O. Wiring, the key to successful model railroading! Thanks Bob!
Absolutely Henry. If you dont wire correctly but also important neatly you are in for issues. Its the first thing you should be sure of before proceeding further on a layout.
Great videos, and great layout! Congratulations on your over 1000 Subscribers! You talk very well, and nice and slow, and very clearly! Take care, be well, and thank you!
I got to tell you Bob, I never get tired listening to that intro of yours. Great video and I also hope to see some of you guys at the show this April🚂🎸
I have been looking for a good wiring video how-to, and I think I found it. Looking forward to your 2nd part. I run DCS and Lionel Bluetooth now, but will also have Legacy soon. Thanks.
Good morning Bob, It’s Dennis from England thank you for doing the wiring tutorial really helpful I am really looking forward to the next one concerning legacy and the TIU this is multiple I am needing quick question my layout each track inner loop and outer loop is proximately going to be 33‘ x 15‘ how many droppers do you think I will need again thank you and it’s nice to think that you are calling me your friend I would like to think I’m your friend as well many thanks Dennis 👍
Hey I was glad to do it and there will be a follow up in a couple weeks. You can run DCS, TMCC or Legacy without changing wiring. I would recommend 14 gauge wire for a layout that size for the trains. Four power drops or "feeders" to each mainline. You can run them to a barrier strip and on the other side one wire to your transformer. There is a really easy way to do it. I will make sure to cover everything on the follow up.
I am Canadian, Looking forward to the follow up videos to this one. I run MTH DCS COMMAND SYSTEM. No issues running MTH & LIONEL ( TMCC & LEGACY ) ENGINES. Have LIONELCAB2 REMOTE SYSTEM .Confused how to use it & hook up to MTH'S TIU.
The Right of Way transformer is also 400 watts Bob. It’s also said to be the best transformer ever made. Too bad it’s hard to find one. They do occasionally pop up on eBay though.
Right of way did make a fantastic transformer, but like the ZW circuit breakers way too slow. You have to add a fast blow or your board will fry in the newer stuff before the breaker kicks.
Mu layout is 12x16 I have drops every 6' the issue I'm having is getting enough amps for the smoke units. I'm using post war Zw and 2 lionel 180 w bricks. The bricks run my 2 mains. But if I'm running my challenger amd both smoke units I'm only getting 16v Rather then 18v
Thats probably about normal tho. If I put my ZW at 20 volts I get like 18. Basically the more things on your track needing power the less voltage actually goes to the track. Smoke units from MTH run 1.5 volts, Im not sure on Lionel. I have ZW running my loops. Two ZW for four mailing. One paddle runs nothing but trains; so your readings aren't bad. Recommended power drops are 8" so your are doing even better.
Hello and I have a question regarding powering a large track? I'm looking at a track running through my yard and probably 200' in length and can you give me suggestions on the best way to power this size setup?? And if I can just add lock ons to the track to maintain equal power levels and what type of power supply would be used? Thank you from a newbie to the hobby. PS. I'll be running the lionel big boy and other lionel o gauge locomotives.. 😊
Hi Johnny, as far as transformer power either a Lionel ZW or MTH Z4000 would be recommended. I would use 14 gauge wire since you are running a big loop. With roughly 200 ft of track I would would suggest minimum of 6 feeders . That would mean fresh power roughly every 35 feet. Stranded wire works best for our application. It sounds like your gonna have a fantastic setup. Is you have any other question you can always reach out. Let me know how you make out, your project sounds extremely interesting
Prewar Marx guy here, what gauge wire are you running off of your transformer? Is solid #14 over kill? I have a 250-foot roll of Romex that I`m thinking of using, and what other gauge could I get away with for two loops on a 6'x12' table? I would value your in-put. The auto fuse, what is it`s rating?
Yes 14 gauge is definately a bit overkill, but I run four engine diesel trains, sometimes triple steam. I have 16 PRR lighted passengers and 12 lighted C&O. So for me it works good. But most layouts 16 is more than enough.
Im using all four ports on the TIU since I have four mainlines. The two fixed channels you need to run command or protosounds two since they have fixed voltage. However the two variable channels you can bounce back to fixed or variable via the remote. Currently all four ports are running fixed.
Hi Bryan and thanks for watching. The fuses I use are 15 amp. Ive only tripped one off once but it probably saved a $300 circuit board so well worth the investment..
