American Flyer 4-4-2 300 AC

[Anonymous]

I have an American Flyer 4-4-2 with the cab number 300 AC. I ran it tonight on DC power and there was a slightly funny smell. The engine was recently refurbished. Is this an AC locomotive? If so, would it have run on DC power? Since it did, am I doing damage?

Brian Schofield-Bodt
Shelton, CT

[Anonymous]

your engine runs on AC power. Running is on DC will damage your motor
I made the same mistake a few years ago with a lionel switcher that i didnt realize was made for DC. It ran real jerky stop and start and there was a smell of melted what ever!!
That engine now decorates a shelf in my train room.
hope this helps [:(]

[ben10ben]

Any older train engine that is designed to run on AC will run fine on DC also. The reverse is not true.

Most older engines used a so-called universal motor, which is really a DC motor with a field that changes polarity along with the armature, so it will run on AC. This means that they also run just as well on DC.

The DC-only motors used in most train engines are what are called permanant-magnet motors. Running them on AC will cause the permanant magnets to lose their magnetism, and the motor will be dead. AC engines that use this type of motor do so through some sort of rectifier arrangement. This sort of engine can be run on DC just as well as AC, also.


Don't try this with a newer engine with command control electronics, though, or you'll fry your electronics.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

A recently refurbed engine may emit an odor while burning off excess oil or cleaner. Try it on AC and see if it runs, if not start checking for burn outs. They are pretty tough and forgiving. I just rebuilt one last night for a guy who did the same thing. Don't let it just sit.
Good luck
Jim

[Anonymous]

Thanks to all of you for your helpful counsel. I will try the engine later today when I am back with it, in light of your suggestions.

Brian Schofield-Bodt