Hello! I am planning to upgrade my CW-80 to a ZW in November. Ever since I got into model railroading, I have always dreamed of powering my layout with a ZW. In my opinion, the ZW is the best Transformer of all time.
i have the most basic system - a 7x9 loop with a few accessories ... but it's the rolling stock that i get the most compliments from ... it's an O-scale MTH R-12 NYC subway cars
I had the same problem with my new ZW. Its easily fixed by tightening those thin nuts on the main shaft. Thats all mine was and its been great since. Feels tight, but not to tight If you know what I mean. Lol Thanks Zack
When you program the engine to another number. Press set. Do not turn track power off. Just slide the switch back to run. Try that you may find that does the trick. And I would double check the resistor wireing. I believe should be hooked to each motor connection but I would double check on that one. Keep up the great videos please
On one hand it is cool that your making one of your favorite postwar engines command control so you can use it with the other trains Although personally I would never do that with my trains. I am tired of the electronic boards failing and making more modern engines unusable. I am completely conventional control and mostly postwar just because postwar e units are so darn reliable and even when having a little trouble they are still useable. But when a modern electrical board dies you’re out of luck. Honestly part of me is really tempted to take a modern engine and try to put all postwar guts in it just because of the shear reliability
That ZW looks like a beast!😊 I wish you many years of care free use with it!😊 Your F3 mods look very interesting, im always trying to learn. I love your no -fear attitude! Great vid Zak!
Your how to do things are always interesting. I’m not going to use electronic e unit but interesting none the less. I like the fact you use larger gauge wire off the power trucks, a good move.😊😊
Hey country bunker trains, nice project to have , 2 nice engine over hall, and 3 noticed that you moved the tree on the 1st lay out where the big boy hit it on one of your last videos ..good job on the engine over hall..😊😊😊😊
What monster addition to the control centre, Zach. That ZW is quite an addition. And I enjoyed your taking the time to demonstrate the installation of the command control unit. Not being at all familiar with those control units, I can't help with why it's become so picky about what number it'll accept. Ah, the mystery of modern mechanics!
Very nice video, as always. I run post-war and MPC conventional only, except for one MTH conventional steam locomotive. My 1981 Twentieth Century Limited set's F3's has the regular e-unit but also has an electronic horn. No need for batteries. I wonder if you could hook one of those type of units in the dummy F, or maybe even a modern one. I'm not sure if they sell separate sound boards with speakers only. Mine sounds OK, but with a better speaker, it probably would sound a bit better. I do like the electronic e-unit. My MTH locomotive has this and I like it better than the old-fashioned ones. It would be nice to replace the e-units with something modern, but one that wouldn't need to be programmed. The MTH unit also has a nice, digital horn. It sounds real good. It is an older MTH engine, so I wonder if I could replace the speaker with something newer. It says it can be upgraded to the newer PS sound system, whichever one that is currently available. I'm not sure how that would work on a conventional engine, but it says that it can be done. I have no real desire to run any type of command control, but I have a Lionel brick and controller that I can add to my layout so anyone who stops by with command control stuff can safely run them. Either way, your crack about people complaining that you changed out the e-unit gave me a good laugh. It really doesn't hurt the value and makes them more reliable. Keep up the great videos. I always look forward to each one you post.
Heck as long as it runs on 1 your golden Marvelous job on the engine Zach otherwise later on when it craps out you could put in a new 1 or the old 1 thanx 4 the awesome training video if you will
Hi, I got all my grandfather's trains when he past. I have that old transformer and cant figure out how to wire it to the track. I got electrocuted and havent tried again. Can you tell me how to correctly wire it? Would love to get these old trains up and running
Love the material you present Zack! Question? Where by chance did you purchase your upper red trestle set? Curious how tall it stands and the name.....thanks greg
Thanks!! I built it outa 1/2”MDF and bridge plate from TW trainworx- www.twtrainworxstore.com/product/r31-trussrail/ It’s about 8” tall if I remember correctly.
The thing with electronics are the capacitors go bad with age. The trains boards are so small it is impossible sometimes to access capacitors to replace them. I don't see any reason not to upgrade older engines with modern electronics since many of them were made and they maintain their original appearence and you can convert them back. I say do it no mater what purests say. I don't like ZW's in any form but they seem to function well for you. I like Z4000's better. I have 3 Z4000s but only 2 run trains. Now some will say the ZW allows you to run 4 trains and the Z4000 only 2 but like you said I don't know anyone with ZWs running more than 2 tracks. You can't get slow speed control on old engines without modern electronics. I like slow speed and cruise control. I want my engines maintaining constant speed no matter the actual track voltage fluctuations. Go Zack!
It was a leftover warehouse sale piece. Believe it was either a Trainworld return or repair sent back to Lionel. Due to this, it had some discounts applied.
Nice ZWL Zach. What do you think of the 400 watt transformers like the MTH Z4000 and Right of Way transformer? They’re nice but too expensive don’t you agree?
Thanks! Personally, I’m not a huge fan myself of the Z4000.. they used to be a much better candidate due to price, but the price is getting close to these ZWL’s. I think for the $$ you get a little more out of the ZWL.
Zachy name is Bill Harvey and i have a Lionel steam engine and the e unit is not working properly how hard is it to replace the e unit the locomotive number is 2026 2-6-4 with a whistle tender who would you recommend to repair it i enjoy your videos
hello county bunker's train & zach & it's is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks zach friends randy and i am enjoy yours is cool video and super thanks zach friends randy
I’m a conventional guy myself. The post war engines were made to last. Nice job Zach on your installation of command control!
The Postwar Locomotives could probably survive a nuclear explosion LOL
I really enjoyed this one Zach. I just order my first ZW-L.
Nice job on the Wabash. You can't beat the natural sound of postwar.
Hello! I am planning to upgrade my CW-80 to a ZW in November. Ever since I got into model railroading, I have always dreamed of powering my layout with a ZW. In my opinion, the ZW is the best Transformer of all time.
Time for some more. Post war Santa Fe New York Central etc F3s have fun😊
I've got 2 ZW-L's myself. No sloppy handles.
i have the most basic system - a 7x9 loop with a few accessories ... but it's the rolling stock that i get the most compliments from ... it's an O-scale MTH R-12 NYC subway cars
I had the same problem with my new ZW. Its easily fixed by tightening those thin nuts on the main shaft. Thats all mine was and its been great since. Feels tight, but not to tight If you know what I mean. Lol Thanks Zack
Congratulations Zach!
A great addition to a great layout.
Hey man looks great! No problem grabbing it for ya! It looks awesome on the layout!
When you program the engine to another number. Press set. Do not turn track power off. Just slide the switch back to run. Try that you may find that does the trick. And I would double check the resistor wireing. I believe should be hooked to each motor connection but I would double check on that one. Keep up the great videos please
Thanks! I did try many different ways trying to program, but it just won’t take it. Not sure what’s up with it. Darned electronics! 😂🤣
On one hand it is cool that your making one of your favorite postwar engines command control so you can use it with the other trains
Although personally I would never do that with my trains. I am tired of the electronic boards failing and making more modern engines unusable. I am completely conventional control and mostly postwar just because postwar e units are so darn reliable and even when having a little trouble they are still useable. But when a modern electrical board dies you’re out of luck.
Honestly part of me is really tempted to take a modern engine and try to put all postwar guts in it just because of the shear reliability
Like I said in another reply, the Postwar Locomotives could probably survive a nuclear explosion LOL
7:30 Like I told somebody else, you’ll anger some, you’ll please some, you can’t change that fact, so don’t worry about it
I would do whatever I want with those locos Zach, it's cool having sounds, hell with the morons!😂
I’ve had my ZW-L for 10 year’s without any problems!👍🚂🚞
Great to hear!!
Everyone Is Different in Their Own Unique Way we Are Are Own Biggest Crittic one Way Or Another.
Always enjoy your videos Zach
That ZW looks like a beast!😊 I wish you many years of care free use with it!😊 Your F3 mods look very interesting, im always trying to learn. I love your no -fear attitude! Great vid Zak!
Thank you!
Your how to do things are always interesting. I’m not going to use electronic e unit but interesting none the less. I like the fact you use larger gauge wire off the power trucks, a good move.😊😊
Good stuff! You should make more of these "maintenance" type videos.
Hey country bunker trains, nice project to have , 2 nice engine over hall, and 3 noticed that you moved the tree on the 1st lay out where the big boy hit it on one of your last videos ..good job on the engine over hall..😊😊😊😊
This is a beautiful layout
Great job on that engine, hope that board works out.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING MY FRIEND
Same to you! Can’t believe Christmas/new years is almost here! 🎄🎊🥃🍻
0:23 ew yes! Rain is good for two things, sleeping and working on projects.
What monster addition to the control centre, Zach. That ZW is quite an addition. And I enjoyed your taking the time to demonstrate the installation of the command control unit. Not being at all familiar with those control units, I can't help with why it's become so picky about what number it'll accept. Ah, the mystery of modern mechanics!
We Are Goin On Vacation I Worked on Mine a Little Bit my Wife And I Will Be Hitting A Train Show In Feb. hopefully you had a Good Turkey Day.
Hope you have a great vacation!! Happy belated thanksgiving and holidays to you as well!!
Extraordinary project that engine would sound really awesome wth the new technoloy 👍🏻✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
Very nice video, as always. I run post-war and MPC conventional only, except for one MTH conventional steam locomotive. My 1981 Twentieth Century Limited set's F3's has the regular e-unit but also has an electronic horn. No need for batteries. I wonder if you could hook one of those type of units in the dummy F, or maybe even a modern one. I'm not sure if they sell separate sound boards with speakers only. Mine sounds OK, but with a better speaker, it probably would sound a bit better. I do like the electronic e-unit. My MTH locomotive has this and I like it better than the old-fashioned ones. It would be nice to replace the e-units with something modern, but one that wouldn't need to be programmed. The MTH unit also has a nice, digital horn. It sounds real good. It is an older MTH engine, so I wonder if I could replace the speaker with something newer. It says it can be upgraded to the newer PS sound system, whichever one that is currently available. I'm not sure how that would work on a conventional engine, but it says that it can be done. I have no real desire to run any type of command control, but I have a Lionel brick and controller that I can add to my layout so anyone who stops by with command control stuff can safely run them. Either way, your crack about people complaining that you changed out the e-unit gave me a good laugh. It really doesn't hurt the value and makes them more reliable. Keep up the great videos. I always look forward to each one you post.
Heck as long as it runs on 1 your golden Marvelous job on the engine Zach otherwise later on when it craps out you could put in a new 1 or the old 1 thanx 4 the awesome training video if you will
I have a Z-4000 it runs everything! Can’t wait to do a blunami upgrade one day
I am intrigued be the new blunami kits! Looks pretty cool!
Zac,the tusken red elevated track on your main platform, was it purchased and from where, or scratch built?
Great video 😊
Hi, I got all my grandfather's trains when he past. I have that old transformer and cant figure out how to wire it to the track. I got electrocuted and havent tried again. Can you tell me how to correctly wire it? Would love to get these old trains up and running
When the Weather is Crappy work On the Layout Rolling Stock Or Engines.
I have a Santa Fe version of your engine, but the horn doesn’t work. I’ve put the D batteries in. It still doesn’t work. Do you have any tips?
Love the material you present Zack! Question? Where by chance did you purchase your upper red trestle set? Curious how tall it stands and the name.....thanks greg
Thanks!! I built it outa 1/2”MDF and bridge plate from TW trainworx-
www.twtrainworxstore.com/product/r31-trussrail/
It’s about 8” tall if I remember correctly.
The thing with electronics are the capacitors go bad with age. The trains boards are so small it is impossible sometimes to access capacitors to replace them. I don't see any reason not to upgrade older engines with modern electronics since many of them were made and they maintain their original appearence and you can convert them back. I say do it no mater what purests say. I don't like ZW's in any form but they seem to function well for you. I like Z4000's better. I have 3 Z4000s but only 2 run trains. Now some will say the ZW allows you to run 4 trains and the Z4000 only 2 but like you said I don't know anyone with ZWs running more than 2 tracks. You can't get slow speed control on old engines without modern electronics. I like slow speed and cruise control. I want my engines maintaining constant speed no matter the actual track voltage fluctuations. Go Zack!
Zach my ZW L is 9 years old its fantastic your going to love it . Command and conventional it handles everything . Keep up the great videos
Glad to hear!! It is one stout transformer for sure!
What kind of deals did they have on the transformer
It was a leftover warehouse sale piece. Believe it was either a Trainworld return or repair sent back to Lionel. Due to this, it had some discounts applied.
9:59 Haha guber solder jobs, well, even then, you know more than I probably ever will
Nice ZWL Zach. What do you think of the 400 watt transformers like the MTH Z4000 and Right of Way transformer? They’re nice but too expensive don’t you agree?
Thanks! Personally, I’m not a huge fan myself of the Z4000.. they used to be a much better candidate due to price, but the price is getting close to these ZWL’s. I think for the $$ you get a little more out of the ZWL.
Zachy name is Bill Harvey and i have a Lionel steam engine and the e unit is not working properly how hard is it to replace the e unit the locomotive number is 2026 2-6-4 with a whistle tender who would you recommend to repair it i enjoy your videos
hello county bunker's train & zach & it's is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks zach friends randy and i am enjoy yours is cool video and super thanks zach friends randy
among us only in ohio down in ohio swag like ohio
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