[relic1300]

I swear, I looked for answers before I posted!

Several years ago when my Grandma moved out of her old Indiana lake home and headed for Florida, I was given the remnants of my uncle's old Lionel set. Sadly, everything in the set is in pretty poor condition except, remarkably, the transformer. All the pieces are there, and when plugged in, at least the green bulb lights.

Now I'm trying to decide what to do with it. It doesn't really have any sentimental value to me, and as cool as I think it is, I really don't have room for an O scale setup. I was thinking about perhaps selling it to at least partially fund my first real set in either HO or N (haven't yet made a decision).

If you experts out there would be so kind, I'd like a little more information before doing anything that would result in myself or anyone else getting ripped off. Any little information you could provide would be appreciated, but I'm specifically intersted in the readings I should be getting at the contacts. I briefly threw a meter to it earlier, and the only reading that really made sense to me was on the AU circuit, which was between around 5 and 20vAC.

Assuming I do sell it, would it be worth my time monetarily to rebuild it? Would anyone happen to know a good guy to deal with in south Chicagoland?

Thanks much.
-Tony

 

[Boston&Maine]

Can you guys see Relic's original post? Sometimes the forum glitches when I try to approve a post and I do not know why

Ooo, I think I fixed it

 

[T-Man]

Your uncle has good taste. The ZW was the largest Lionel made. They do get serviced. The contact rollers get worn out and need replacing. I was looking at one for 160 that was reconditioned.For a dealer that is on the low end. If you sell between 125 and 160. I wouldn't consider it a rip off. It is worth more than a KW. You must have quality stuff to go with it . The downside it is heavy and not worth selling if it has to be shipped. Local deal would be best. You have older stuff, that restricts your selling market. More people are going into Command control. The old transformer is loosing ground. As a buyer I find in private sales the seller is normally overpriced I would not expect to pay as much as I would a dealer.

By the way I like poor condition and would like to see more. A little cleaning
effort could surprise you.

Technically the ZW runs 2 trains at 275 watts, The KW was 175 and runs two trains.
It has four sets of posts Au and DU are controlled by the throttles and the two center ones are for accessories with variable voltage adjustment.

 

[relic1300]

Thanks. I'll see if I can dig out the rest of the set and take some pictures for you.

I'm afraid that it's not working as it should. I just checked it again, and my open circuit voltages are between 7 and 21v AC on the AU circuit, and the rest just sit at around 7v AC and do not vary much at all with throttle manipulation.

 

[T-Man]

I don't have one yet, but remmeber it does have a circuit breaker and the two center post are adjustable. The rollers may need a changeout. I doubt it is anything serious.Unless the humm will drive you out of the room.

Here is the postwar description. I guess you can use the center posts to regulate a train, making it a total of four engines at once.

ZW

 

[relic1300]

I really appreciate it. I actually had a long conversation with a gentleman named Rich from HobbyTown in Orland Park this morning, who ended up buying it from me for $75. I realize I probably could have gotten more for it, but I'm happy to see it go to a good place and I always prefer a face to face over an e-transaction.

Now to settle on what I want to start with on the new set! Thanks again.

 

[Big Ed]

Well it's found a new home now.

But hey T-man,
You could ship that for around $13.50 3 day priority mail. (USPS)
Thats not that bad considering the weight.
I got the boxes and anything you can stuff in it up to 70 lbs for that price.


Though some would try to get $50 from you to ship it.

I seen a bunch of ZW's on e bay and there's always ample bidders bidding on them.
So there still must be some demand for them.
All ways wanted one myself but didn't want to pay that much for one.

 

[T-Man]

Don't forget that guy from Hobby town maybe he get you a good deal on something you want. That's the advantage of dealing locally.
Now you a start Good Luck.

The biggest drawback with getting an older transformer is the humm. Some get loud, so my reasoning is, that is why it is for sale.
I would just have to find one locally(well I have I just have to save for it).

What do you have for power Big Ed?If not a ZW.

 

[Big Ed]

Don't forget that guy from Hobby town maybe he get you a good deal on something you want. That's the advantage of dealing locally.
Now you a start Good Luck.

The biggest drawback with getting an older transformer is the humm. Some get loud, so my reasoning is, that is why it is for sale.
I would just have to find one locally(well I have I just have to save for it).

What do you have for power Big Ed?If not a ZW.

I got two Lionel CW-80 Watt transformers. I am only using one currently and keeping the other for backup.
Truth is that I thought I would loose one in a bid on e- bay so I put a bid in for the other and won both.
Though I still got two for half the catalog price of one new.

I also got an old TW 175 watt that works too.
I have a box filled with old transformers (somewhere) all mainly need new cords. I picked them up here and there in junk lots. Never fooled around with them yet.