Finally decided to dig out my (and my dad's) old Lionels. I can't believe how much I've forgotten in just 40 or 50 years. 

I can't  tell  if anything works yet including the transformer.  However  I do think  I hear  the built in  circuit breaker kicking in and out.  I figure that I need to start confirming that the transformer works before I look for connection,  track, and engine  issues.

Can  someone tell  me how to test a Lionel trainmaster transformer (6-4150)? ps: I have no test tools so I would need a layman's approach.

thks