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American Flyer 290 I just got grandfathers train set and trying to setup for my son

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  • Member since
    December 2010
  • 6 posts
American Flyer 290 I just got grandfathers train set and trying to setup for my son
Posted by oneeleven on Sunday, December 19, 2010 7:15 PM

American Flyer 290 I just got grandfathers train set and trying to setup for my son.  everything seems to work fine but can not seem to figure out how to make the train go into reverse.  I have 2 controllers 4B and 2 types.  Basically need to know how to make the train go from forward to reverse and back again if it is even possibel to do that with these controllers I'm told by mother they did. 

 

Thank You

Ray

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Calgary AB. Canada
  • 2,298 posts
Posted by AgentKid on Monday, December 20, 2010 12:26 AM

This is the Classic Trains forum. You need to go back to Trains.com forums, and look for the Classic Toy Trains forum. They have lots of information for you.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, December 20, 2010 6:21 AM

AgentKid

This is the Classic Trains forum. You need to go back to Trains.com forums, and look for the Classic Toy Trains forum. They have lots of information for you.

Bruce

 

Ray,

As Bruce indicates, the Classic Toy Trains forum is the place you want to be. 

So, you should post your question there.  As a start, though, I can tell you that the problem is almost undoubtedly one of two things. 

First, check the underside of the tender (i.e., the coal car) for a lever.  Move the lever to the other side and see if that solves your problem.  That lever is a locking mechanism so that the engine only goes forward.

Second, if moving the lever does not solve the problem, then there is an issue with the "reversing unit" which is located inside the tender.  You will need to remove the four screws on the bottom of the tender to remove the shell.  Once the shell is removed, you will see a metal unit with wires that connect to the back of the engine.  That metal unit is the reversing unit.  There is a copper drum that turns under power and cycles the motor in four steps -forward-pause-reverse-pause.  Small copper "fingers" touch the drum and are electrically controlled to cycle through these four steps.  It may be that the spoon-shaped end of one of the fingers has a hole burned into it.  If that is the case, that would be the other reason why your engine is not running in reverse.  In that case, you will need to remove and replace those copper fingers. 

The guys on the Classic Toy Trains forum can give you more advice.

Rich

Note to Forum Administrator:  Can you move this thread to the Classic Toy Trains Forum ?

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • 6 posts
Posted by oneeleven on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 7:32 PM

sorry for the post in worng category and thanks for the help

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