Author Topic: Power Requirement (Read 1648 times)

HiwayRider · « **on:** December 01, 2013, 03:14:37 pm »

I promised to start asking questions in my introduction, so here goes.

I have built the 6X16 table, gotten the beginning of a track plan using Fastrack and I'm pretty happy with it.

My wife offered to buy me the Cab 1L / Base 1L for Christmas. I'm really good with that present. But I need to know what kind of power I'm going to need. I've looked at the catalog, but would like to hear from someone with some experience. The layout will probably never run more that 2 or 3 locomotives, the switches and the barest number of accessories.

This brings up a 2nd question. I will probably not ever run any conventional engines on the layout. I just don't need the block wiring headaches I had years ago in HO and frankly, being somewhat of a techno-geek, I like the digital world. Oh yes, the question. Aside from Lionel engines, are there other manufacturers that make engines that will run with this control system? Sometimes the advertising copy is slightly less than clear when looking online.

I will say some of the the train forums don't seem to help. As a newbie at this, I sometime get the feeling beginner questions aren't appreciated and that I've offended someone since I don't want to run trains in the manner they feel is proper. (Sorry, editorial comment). The phrase "use the search, this question has been answered a thousand times" is not helpful when maybe you don't really know what question to ask.

Anyway, thanks for reading. If you can help with the questions, I would appreciate it very much.

Thanks
Brian

djacobsen · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2013, 04:41:06 pm »

Brian,
Hello & Welcome to the Forum!

First of all, they're YOUR trains and it's YOUR layout, so run what you want as you want to.
(if you have folks who would rather you did it some other way, smile & say "interesting possibility" then continue to enjoy your trains.)

Second, this is a fairly new forum, so you won't run into the "use the search, this question has been asked & answered a thousand times. If you do, please let me know and I will have a chat with that individual.(Global Moderator Comment)
We do have a few members that I would consider to be some of the most knowledgeable persons in the model train world ,but I believe that the bulk of the members are new to model railroading, (newbies).

I personally am an Analog Guy, so my knowledge of the Lionel Cab 1L/Base 1L system is almost non existent.
Hopefully someone will chime in with with knowledge/experience with the system.

Your track/layout, I would suggest that you do your basic connection of the power to the track. Then take what ever locomotive you will be running, put it on the track and let it run. Take your multi-meter and go around the track and check the power that is being supplied around the track (while the engine is operating). IF you find spots where the power drops, you may want to add some feeder wires to those points, to insure that your track is powered equally at all points.

As to whether any other manufacturers will operate on the system, MTH & K-Line by Lionel are the only two that I can think of that may work with the system. Again, hopefully someone with more knowledge of the system will chime in.

If you have any questions, please ask them! Someone else may have exactly the same problem with their trains, but are afraid to ask, so you'll be doing both of you a favor. If it comes down to it, if you or anyone else on the forum has a question they're reluctant to ask publicly, either PM me here or send me an email to the email address listed in my profile and I'll try to answer or find an answer to your question.

Happy Rails!
Dave

ehkempf · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2014, 01:18:04 pm »

I know that it has been a long time since you asked your question, but if you went with a Cab 1L , I would use a powermaster 6-37146 and either a powerhouse 135 watt 6-12866 or powerhouse 180 watt 6-22983. With a Cab 1L or the Cab2, you will have no need for a power supply with a control arm.