@Maxmellow94 The Polar Express has a sound commander 2 board installed in it from ERR along with TMCC. I believe that the SC2 is no longer in production tough. It's not as good as railsounds, but not as bad as trainsounds. At the time, sound commander 2 boards cost $50. The 2025 has a normal trainsounds tender which costs about $100. A railsounds board would cost about $100 from lionel.
thanks pjmilazzo, do you say that you have the 2025 control with CW-80 and the PE with the PMCC, everyone is force to do that or you can control both train individually with two CW-80
@VanCleff007 You can run both conventionally off the CW-80. One transformer controls the inner loop and the other the outer loop. Where the two loops interconnect , you isolate them from each other at the center rail. The O72 turnouts give you a special track to unplug the center rail jumper to do this and those are the turnouts I use to interconnect the two loops..
@VanCleff007 I'm using 13 remote switches 4 O72 and the rest O36. I'm powering them with track power, but you can optionally power them with another transformer or the accessory side of one of the transformers. There's no tricks to install the turnouts. Just buy them, remove from the box and place them on your layout. In some cases you might opt to reverse the side of the switch lantern, other than that, it's plug and play.
No. Each main lines has one or two pairs of wires for the center rail and the common outside rails. The inner loop is isolated from from the out loop at the center rail, but both loops are electrically connected to each other through a outer rails which are common. Both transformers also must be in phase since O gauge runs on AC, not DC.
Does the sound comander 2 work with just your CW? I want to update sounds but the manual says it won't work with the CW-80. Great input, thanks for the feedback in advance.
Yes, it works with the CW-80. Just make sure your CW-80 are the newer "Revised" ones which have a G prefix or made recently. I think the manual just states that because of older CW-80s that are still out there which may have problems.
ive got the complete train set,add-ons,sound tender all except for 1 of them. but im ticked they made heavywight...i was almost finished with my collection. oh well im getting a dog today on halloween (2009) in 1 hour so im esxcited and im happy with my polar express right now...but ill still buy they 1 car still :3
Yes, I'm using a Lionel Trainsounds tender behind the 2025 which supplies the chuff sound most of the time. On the Polar Express, it's using a Sound Commander 2.
In your case, another CW. You need to find out which version you have first. Turn it over and look for a date code. If there is a "G" prefix, it's revised and all is well. Just get another revised CW and isolate the center pins in the track going from main line 1 to main line two. I'm using 1 3/8" fitter pieces with the center pin jumper removed. Chances are that if you CW's are revised they will already be in phase with one another when you plug them in. See the OGR forum on phasing...
I looked at the bottom of my CW and the bottom right says "G0208" does that mean its the revised one? I am also using the original lionel tracks with the brown 3 ties per track.
The prefix G means you have the revised one which is ideal. Your transfer was made in February 2008, I believe. The good news is the revised transformers work like all the transformers with the black in common and wired to the outside rails, and the red wired to the center rail. As for the track, it sounds like you are using tinplate style track where you can pull the metal pins out and use plastic isolated ones to make blocks.
I have a question, I have a Cw 80 transformer and Im running a wire to the other end of my layout from the transforme and sometimes I would lose control of the train and the train would be uncontrollable. please help
I have never heard of this happening. What CW-80 are you using (original version or revised)? Also, are you using Command Control (TMCC, Legacy, or DCS), or just conventional? Test the CW-80 connection going to the other end of the layout by only using it and disconnecting other connections. Does the train stay in control? You might want to post this question with more details to the OGR forum.
I dont know which kind of CW is it. I bought it from a Hobby shop and they just took it out from the Cascade Logging Lionel starter set. No Command Control Yet.
i think im in love with your layout, do you think it would possible to get more detailed pictures of this layout, with your permission i would like to try and build this layout fo my very own trains, think about it and comment back.
Thank you for your time, and for putting this wonderful video up.
I added a on/off switch to my post war 2025 in the cab. The Polar Express with the added ERR cruise commander board uses the original smoke on / off switch which is also in the cab. The old direction lock out switch now is used for the run / program function. I think it still also locks direction in conventional mode, but I didn't test that.
I think your are referring to the switch on some TMCC engines where you can choose between "rail sounds" or "signal sounds". Rail sounds are all the sounds the locomotive can produce (chuff/diesel, communications, whistle/horn, bell, etc) while signal sounds are just the whistle/horn and bell.
They are custom made with a $2 mini toggle switch, 2 small jumper wires, a dremel cut off wheel to cut the center rail, and some solder to attach the wires to the rail and switch.
My CW-80's are the newer revised ones where the black terminals are common vs. the early CW-80's where the red terminals are common. Wiring the transformers was easy. Both main lines are isolated from each other at the O72 switches using a 1 3/8" track with the center rail disconnected via a jumper wire. Both main lines share the common return (black terminal) which is connected to the outer rails. TMCC is a one wire connection to any black terminal or outer rail.
tell me how you got that sound and whistle and how much did it cost
Maxmellow94 3 months ago
@Maxmellow94 The Polar Express has a sound commander 2 board installed in it from ERR along with TMCC. I believe that the SC2 is no longer in production tough. It's not as good as railsounds, but not as bad as trainsounds. At the time, sound commander 2 boards cost $50. The 2025 has a normal trainsounds tender which costs about $100. A railsounds board would cost about $100 from lionel.
pjmilazzo 3 months ago
@pjmilazzo ohh dang it oh well thanks for the info by the way I find your sounds more better then lionel's trainsounds tender.
Maxmellow94 3 months ago
I have the trainsounds tender and it doesn't do all of that noise that good how would I know if the sounds are realistic?
Maxmellow94 3 months ago
thanks pjmilazzo, do you say that you have the 2025 control with CW-80 and the PE with the PMCC, everyone is force to do that or you can control both train individually with two CW-80
VanCleff007 10 months ago
@VanCleff007 You can run both conventionally off the CW-80. One transformer controls the inner loop and the other the outer loop. Where the two loops interconnect , you isolate them from each other at the center rail. The O72 turnouts give you a special track to unplug the center rail jumper to do this and those are the turnouts I use to interconnect the two loops..
pjmilazzo 10 months ago
do you have about 10 or 12 remoted switches in the layout how do you installed those switches and what accessories i need to completed such task.
VanCleff007 10 months ago
@VanCleff007 I'm using 13 remote switches 4 O72 and the rest O36. I'm powering them with track power, but you can optionally power them with another transformer or the accessory side of one of the transformers. There's no tricks to install the turnouts. Just buy them, remove from the box and place them on your layout. In some cases you might opt to reverse the side of the switch lantern, other than that, it's plug and play.
pjmilazzo 10 months ago
Hi, did you have to wire the tracks with a bus line like in HO?
msdemocrat3rd 1 year ago
@msdemocrat3rd
No. Each main lines has one or two pairs of wires for the center rail and the common outside rails. The inner loop is isolated from from the out loop at the center rail, but both loops are electrically connected to each other through a outer rails which are common. Both transformers also must be in phase since O gauge runs on AC, not DC.
pjmilazzo 1 year ago
Does the sound comander 2 work with just your CW? I want to update sounds but the manual says it won't work with the CW-80. Great input, thanks for the feedback in advance.
dtx21 2 years ago
Yes, it works with the CW-80. Just make sure your CW-80 are the newer "Revised" ones which have a G prefix or made recently. I think the manual just states that because of older CW-80s that are still out there which may have problems.
pjmilazzo 2 years ago
That is what I was hoping you would tell me!
Thanks.
dtx21 2 years ago
ive got the complete train set,add-ons,sound tender all except for 1 of them. but im ticked they made heavywight...i was almost finished with my collection. oh well im getting a dog today on halloween (2009) in 1 hour so im esxcited and im happy with my polar express right now...but ill still buy they 1 car still :3
smpman100 2 years ago
Doesn't your 2025 also have the chuffing in the tender?
mwarfel95 2 years ago
Yes, I'm using a Lionel Trainsounds tender behind the 2025 which supplies the chuff sound most of the time. On the Polar Express, it's using a Sound Commander 2.
pjmilazzo 2 years ago
nice i love the layout call me crazy but i think the whistle at 3:08 sounds like 425
shininghappyperson7 2 years ago
What would I need to purchase if I want to run 2 trains similar to your layout?
BNSFDisneyZildjian 3 years ago
In your case, another CW. You need to find out which version you have first. Turn it over and look for a date code. If there is a "G" prefix, it's revised and all is well. Just get another revised CW and isolate the center pins in the track going from main line 1 to main line two. I'm using 1 3/8" fitter pieces with the center pin jumper removed. Chances are that if you CW's are revised they will already be in phase with one another when you plug them in. See the OGR forum on phasing...
pjmilazzo 3 years ago
I looked at the bottom of my CW and the bottom right says "G0208" does that mean its the revised one? I am also using the original lionel tracks with the brown 3 ties per track.
BNSFDisneyZildjian 3 years ago
The prefix G means you have the revised one which is ideal. Your transfer was made in February 2008, I believe. The good news is the revised transformers work like all the transformers with the black in common and wired to the outside rails, and the red wired to the center rail. As for the track, it sounds like you are using tinplate style track where you can pull the metal pins out and use plastic isolated ones to make blocks.
pjmilazzo 3 years ago
Okay cool!! Tomorrow I'm picking up my Pennsylvania Flyer Passenger expansion pack and the add on vista dome and baggage car. I'm so excited.:]
BNSFDisneyZildjian 3 years ago
I have a question, I have a Cw 80 transformer and Im running a wire to the other end of my layout from the transforme and sometimes I would lose control of the train and the train would be uncontrollable. please help
BNSFDisneyZildjian 3 years ago
I have never heard of this happening. What CW-80 are you using (original version or revised)? Also, are you using Command Control (TMCC, Legacy, or DCS), or just conventional? Test the CW-80 connection going to the other end of the layout by only using it and disconnecting other connections. Does the train stay in control? You might want to post this question with more details to the OGR forum.
pjmilazzo 3 years ago
I dont know which kind of CW is it. I bought it from a Hobby shop and they just took it out from the Cascade Logging Lionel starter set. No Command Control Yet.
BNSFDisneyZildjian 3 years ago
i think im in love with your layout, do you think it would possible to get more detailed pictures of this layout, with your permission i would like to try and build this layout fo my very own trains, think about it and comment back.
Thank you for your time, and for putting this wonderful video up.
ThEBoOgEyMaN666 3 years ago
thankU!
cngowens 3 years ago
where is the on/off switch for the smoke? is it on the train, or is it on the contoller? please reply!!!!!!!!!!!
cngowens 3 years ago
I added a on/off switch to my post war 2025 in the cab. The Polar Express with the added ERR cruise commander board uses the original smoke on / off switch which is also in the cab. The old direction lock out switch now is used for the run / program function. I think it still also locks direction in conventional mode, but I didn't test that.
pjmilazzo 3 years ago
can you please tell me whats the differnce between rail sounds and signal sounds?!
PowercallsSuck29 3 years ago
I think your are referring to the switch on some TMCC engines where you can choose between "rail sounds" or "signal sounds". Rail sounds are all the sounds the locomotive can produce (chuff/diesel, communications, whistle/horn, bell, etc) while signal sounds are just the whistle/horn and bell.
pjmilazzo 3 years ago
They are custom made with a $2 mini toggle switch, 2 small jumper wires, a dremel cut off wheel to cut the center rail, and some solder to attach the wires to the rail and switch.
pjmilazzo 3 years ago
At the end when you park the train, Are the pieces of track with the little power switch on them custom made? or can you buy them?
hoscaletrains500 3 years ago
My CW-80's are the newer revised ones where the black terminals are common vs. the early CW-80's where the red terminals are common. Wiring the transformers was easy. Both main lines are isolated from each other at the O72 switches using a 1 3/8" track with the center rail disconnected via a jumper wire. Both main lines share the common return (black terminal) which is connected to the outer rails. TMCC is a one wire connection to any black terminal or outer rail.
pjmilazzo 3 years ago
i noticed there are two lionel cw-80 transformers. how did you do the wiring and such?
traindude456 3 years ago