Lionel Trainmaster transformer

[Kevin Anderson]

I have an older trainmaster 90 watt transformer by Lionel. I would like to hook it up and see if it works. However looking at the connection points I am lost. Where do I put the track wires? I am not familiar with this type of connection. The connection points say A B C with U underneath. I will post a pic as well. Thanks for your help! I have 2 other transformers that doesn't work any more. I think the family fried it in December :tb-sad:. They are a CW-80 and a multi control type 1033. The CW-80 gets power for the little fan turns on but nothing to the track. The other just doesn't put out any more.

[BoxcabE50]

I don't recall my ever using that transformer pictured. I'd believe the A-B and B-C might be fixed voltages for accessories. But cannot prove it. Do you have a spare light bulb for use with your trains? Such as for a headlight? If so, use that for testing the connections to see which combinations work.

Also, if this transformer does not work, inspect your track and rolling stock. Be certain there is not something causing a circuit breaker to remain tripped. It is possible those transformers are damaged. Or kept tripped. Usually a 1033 is fairly good at taking abuse. Disconnect from track and use that light bulb to test transformer outputs. If those work, you have a short in track or trains.

[Kevin Anderson]

I found that the A and U connections are for the track. I will only use this transformer temporarily for it gives off too much juice. I have a hard time controlling trains at slow speed. They all want to go really fast. I have a new CW-80 on order from hobbyspeed.com. Lionel sent me to them when I contacted them about the dead CW-80. Can't pass up on $46 for a new transformer.

[BoxcabE50]

Wow. 90 Watts is too much? That's a little bit on teh unsual side. Most of the time there isn't enough go-juice and people step up in wattage. I don't recall what engines you have, but if newer, perhaps that is why?

[Kevin Anderson]

My set up runs around the ceiling of a room that is 10'1" x 17' 9". It runs on the outside track next to the wall. The train that I have on it is an older lionel train that was given to my dad back in the early 90's by a neighbor that had it longer than that. The transformer has a dial on in it not a lever. So when I turn it on I barely have to turn the knob and the train goes. I have a Polar Express set that I purchased in 2005 on the inside track with a CW-80 that I got from Lionel at a train show in February. That runs really good with the lever moved about half way at a nice slow speed. If I speed up the older train and transformer the train derails going too fast. Also the older transformer does not have a whistle lever or button and I would like to use that feature on the older train as well.