New ZW-L

[mwarfel]

While looking through the new Lionel catalog, I noticed the new Lionel ZW-L. Looks real nice to me and I would buy it (If I had the money and knew how much it costs;)).

What do you guys think? Is it a winner?

[wmwalker]

Max
I have been looking into that my self and the best i can find is that it will be in 700.00 to 1000.00 price range. Has all the features that the one has now except no bricks needed. I thought it might have a pure sine wave but reading it will not but OK I guess. If I can save up my money I will get one but then it becomes that or a legacy engine.:confused:

[ericstrains]

I would never pay $700-$1000 for the new ZW-L, not when you get MTH's Z-4000 for $400. Lionel overprices their stuff so much.

[wmwalker]

I agree to that Eric. I have been thinking about trying some MTH products. I would have to get a DCS setup and then try it out. It seems alot of people have both Legacy and DCS working together but just haven't gone there yet. I just seem to be a Lionel die hard person but maybe change is on the way.:confused:

[tbrook]

Hello ,
MTH Z transformer is 400 watts, lists for $439.95: That's $1.10 per/watt.
ZW-L transformer is 720 watts, will list for $799.95: That's $1.10 per/watt.
MTH & Lionel are exactly the same $$$$ per/watt; that's marketing. :)
It's like buying a car: What do you want under the hood!
How do you know if you need more wattage? The lease technical way is to put your hand on top of your transformer(s):
If it's very HOT you need more WATTS.
When you overdraw the transformer's wattage output that extra draw puts out heat. Too much draw gives off heat; way too much draw and the varnish on the insulation on the transformer's coil begins to melt giving off a toxic oder and is a fire hazard!

I have 1500 watts available for my layout and can run 12 trains at a time plus accessories.
Dean B. just upgraded his over loaded power supply and now has 650 watts available for trains & acessories.
The Club's layout has 900 watts of available power.
How much power (watts) do you need?

[wmwalker]

Hello ,
MTH Z transformer is 400 watts, lists for $439.95: That's $1.10 per/watt.
ZW-L transformer is 720 watts, will list for $799.95: That's $1.10 per/watt.
MTH & Lionel are exactly the same $$$$ per/watt; that's marketing.

Ted
I never looked at that wattage that way good to know that they are the same price. I really like the new ZW-L so might have to save up for that one.:)

[Roger B.]

A dumb move on Lionel's part is to discontinue the ZW before they have the ZW-L available. I sold the last ZW from inventory last Saturday and when I asked about reordering I was told the ZW's were no longer available, our wholesaler is out and Lionel is not supplying any more. It really takes a marketing genius to discontinue a product prior to having the replacement on hand. I also understand that they don't even have a ship date on the web site.

[wmwalker]

Roger B
Good to hear from you and hope all is well with you. Well that is very interesting about the ZW. There is no date on when the new will be out :confused:

Well my 4 180 bricks work really good so I am just staying like that for now. I would rather put the money into a nice Legacy engine :)