Transformer Modeling: Large Power Transformer Basics for Model Railroaders

I commented first!

Has. Haaa... ok I’m second

I've been looking for some of these transformers in HO scale for loads.

Excellent video with TONS of info. How does the Walthers transformer fit into the general scheme of things? Accurate or very generic?

I'm curious to know what the life span of these units would be.

Very informative, Rob! Thanks for the great info.

THANK YOU DETAIL VIDEO

Very interesting and informative video Stephen. My home town, Guelph Ontario, Can, had a huge GE plant. The plant was bought by ABB in the late 80's then a few years later abandoned. I didnt realize Allis Chalmers made transformers. I thought they were farm and heavy equipment. Thank you for the great videos.

Different to how it's done here in the UK, but a very good watch to know/learn about such a specialist topic. Chris

Thanks Rob lots of information on transformers but also useful elsewhere to make you think ermm is there detail i could add thats missing, that you would normally not even think about instead of buy/build plonk it. It`s all in the detail whether you can see it or not, cheers ken

Southern California edison has a lot of older substations that includes nice masonry buildings ive often wanted to model

Rob it was a pleasure meeting you at Erie train show today. C*hri$

Hey Rob, I'm pretty handy at doing CAD and have a 3D resin printer. I'm interested in modelling these as loads for my railway. If you have any general arrangement drawings with dimentions of these things I reckon I could produce some pretty prototypical models of these. Let me know if you want to discuss this further. Regards Steve.

couldn't find some of the information on the Engineer blue prints.

Great job explaining all the differences and time lines to be modeling in. Love to have one on my railroad some day.

The shipment you described as a “vessel” is in fact a Westinghouse nuclear plant steam generator. You guessed correctly.

That was a terrific presentation. I dont think I've ever seen any information on transformers other than they're big with contraptions on top that bring to mind Frankenstein's monster.

Great presentation! Really looking forward to your future installments. I'm actually modeling a loose interpretation of the Erie Railroad and their New Castle branch, which passed through Sharon, and have been wanting to add some of these types of loads to my flat cars. (I have some PRR interchange going on as well just because I like all of the specialized flats they used.) I just learned more from watching this video than I've been able to figure out on my own after months of research. THANKS!!

Rob, this is a fantastic presentation. I can say its the best ive seen but you don't see video like this. I would love to build a nice hydro dam and a large power plant at some point and I cant wait to see more install ments on this subject once you get around to it. Thanks so much, cheers, Rob

Rob! OK. So I have to come clean. This is interesting to me. When I left university in 1983 I joined GEC Industrial Controls Ltd in Rugby, UK as a graduate trainee accountant. I can see those rivets!! We were part of the power transmission and distribution division and made vacuum switches and stuff to start, slow and stop electric motors in industrial applications. Well I have to say that we just made the best equipments and if you look deep into your heart you know I'm right!! None of your Westinghouse/ GEC ( curly letters) nonsense, like stuff that lasted 😀😀😀. Transformers like the ones you describe came out of Stafford. I have always been intrigued by the transportation of these transformers. We used a company called ALE. Abnormal load engineering. Look them up UK. Our stuff was all small. Right next to me now is a contactor from the smallest 22kv vacuum switch in the world at the time. A souvenir from when I left. Uncommon as very sensitive at the time. It is just beautiful copper and molybdenum engineering, developed by my friends. Only ~3" cubed in Coors ceramics. I've not yet finished your video, but will. Your latest post reminded me about it. Just on the wind! Kindest Regards Stephen.

Rob, Really interesting to me. Will be following this series and look forward to seeing your transformer factory taking shape. Regards Stephen.

Rob, When you use your Vallejo paints do you always use an airbrush? Or, are they suitable for thinning and using with brushes? Regards Stephen.

I'm a retired power engineer - Western Area Power. We had many Westinghouse and Allis Chalmers units. Some shell forms that we thought were bullet proof. The only reason we removed them from service was oil sledging/paper degradation. 80 - 90 year old units. Note: We usually only loaded at 50 - 60 % nameplate. I spent time at the Pittsfield facility doing high voltage testing. Your video was a great journey down memory lane. Your a very good historian/teacher. I'm about to start HO scale power system modelling so I just subbed your channel.

Learning a lot, thanks!

Very enjoyable great content ! Thanks Give us More!

Just found this. Wow. Awesome! Learned a ton. Keep this series up, Rob! Would all the extra clap trap ever have shipped in a boxcar with a depressed flat?