American Flyer trailing wheels removal

[vikes88]

Hello,

       I have a 1930's American Flyer steam engine that has several broken wheels...I was wondering the method that is used in order to remove the broken wheels.

      Can the wheels be removed from the axle...or does the entire assembly that the wheels are attached to need to be removed and replaced.

     Thanks for any assistance...I appreciate it!

[Major]

I am going to assume that the broken wheels are die cast made out of zinc.  These can be press off of the axles.  Replacement wheels are available.  However I have encounter some replacements where the hole was too small for the axle.  I had to use a drill to enlarge them before these were pressed on the axle.  You will need to have the locomotive number so the correct replacement wheels can be procured.

[vikes88]

Major,

        I appreciate your response...this particular American Flyer steam engine is # 420...if my research is correct, I believe it was manufactured between 1932 & 1939...as it has copper trim, and not nickle.

       One of the LEAD wheels is broken (the wheels appear to be made of metal...(perhaps, it is zinc as referenced by you.)  There are (2) screws that when removed, will release the entire front wheel assembly.

       I was thinking about replacing the assembly..that is, .if new ones come with the wheels already attached.

       That way, I could replace the front wheels quickly & easily.

      As for the trailing wheels...one of those wheels is also broken...replacing the rear wheels assembly looks a tad bit more difficult.  It appears that the rear assembly is riveted...and might be a bit tricky to remove...having zero experience with this procedure, I'd be a bit apprehensive in removing the rear wheel assembly.

    I've recently seen 'wheel pullers' that are used to remove broken wheels...I'm assuming there is a tool to press the new wheels back onto the axle?  If you're aware of these tools (which I'm assuming you are)...are they expensive, do they actually work, and is it more difficult pressing the new wheels on?

   I'd appreciate any insight you have in replacing wheels...also, where can I purchase wheels that are similar to the originals on this specific loco?

      

Thanks for any advice & assistance you can give me.

[Major]

The wheels are zinc, and over the years do deteriorate crack and fall apart. I even hat that happen on a modern standard guage MTH remake.  This is not at all uncommon. You can use a wheel puller to remove the remaints or you can support the motor frame and use a punch and tap the axle through the frame.  When replacing the wheel I use a vice to press it back on, making sure that it is quartered properly.  I'll check and let you know where you can get replacement wheels.   Flyer used the same wheels on many different locomotives.  My diesel City of Denver and Zephyer both have spoked drivers from steam locomotives so finding a replacement is not that difficult.

[vikes88]

Major,

         Thanks again for all the assistance!  I'm going to try and replace the broken wheels using your method...before I purchase a wheel puller.

         If you'd happen to find a link where I can purchase those wheels...please let me know.  I'd imagine I should just replace all the wheels...being that the locomotive does have age on it.

         I'll probably ask you a few more questions in the future concerning the engine.  For now, I'll try and replace these wheels & handle the other issues down the road.

        I just want to thank you for all the great advice...I really appreciate it!

P.S. This particular train means quite a bit to me...it was my dad's when he was a child in the early 40's, and it would be a thrill just to see it make laps around the oval, again!

[lionelsoni]

Whether zinc castings disintegrate depends on whether they are contaminated with, usually, lead.  If you have some old wheels that do not show signs of "zinc pest", there is a good chance that they never will--they have stood the test of time.  You could buy replacements for those wheels and keep them for when you might need them.  But it's entirely possible that the replacements will rot before the old wheels.  In my experience, the fact that a casting is modern is no guarantee that it is not contaminated.