lionelsoni We should keep in mind that someone may have rewired the locomotive to bypass the reversing unit, either as a way of "fixing" it if something was wrong with it, or just to guarantee that the train would always start up moving forward when turned on.
We should keep in mind that someone may have rewired the locomotive to bypass the reversing unit, either as a way of "fixing" it if something was wrong with it, or just to guarantee that the train would always start up moving forward when turned on.
Bob raises a good point about someone possibly rewiring the unit so that it only runs forward but not in reverse. But, I would doubt that is what happened.
You say that moving that lever under the tender makes no difference, it still only runs forward. So, if the unit has not been rewired and the position of the lever under the tender makes no difference, that brings us back to the reversing unit in the tender.
Let's try to pin you down a little more. When the reversing unit is working properly, it is a 4-cycle operation - - - forward, pause, reverse, pause. Even though your engine only runs forward, does it cycle in this manner? In other words, when you apply power from the transformer the first time, does the engine move forward? Probably, yes. If you then quickly cut off the power by bringing the speed stick to zero and then apply power once again to increase the speed, or by pressing the Reset button on the transformer, does the engine movement pause? If so, then, when you quickly cut off the power once again by bringing the speed stick to zero and then apply power once again to increase the speed, or by pressing the Reset button again on the transformer, what happens? That is the critical step because in a properly operating reversing unit, the engine should move in reverse in that third cycling of the engine. Or, are you saying that every time you re-apply power or hit that Reset button the engine moves forward as if it were a 1-cycle operation?
If the engine first moves forward, then pauses, as you cycle the reversing unit, 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.
Go through this process and then let us know what you observe.
Rich
Alton Junction
American Flyer reversing units have a complex pawl assembly consisting of two pieces of sheet metal riveted together just loose enough so they can turn around that point, sliding against each other. If those two pieces of metal do not slide easily the reversing unit will not work. Once again, this is a piece where wet lubricant or grease is not desirable.This person's problem could be that the plates are stuck against each other. I have encountered this problem with A.F. reversing units from time to time.
yes I did lubricate it with proper lubricant
It appears that the problem is with the reversing unit then. When you open up the tender you will see it. It has a coil of wire, that is, an electromagnet, that should lift up a metal plate underneath it. A pawl attached to that plate should push on the teeth of a plastic drum to rotate it 1/8 turn every time the voltage is applied to the track.
The first thing to determine is whether the electromagnet is lifting the plate. The electromagnet may have become disconnected or burned out. Or it may be okay, but the plate is stuck somehow. See whether you can figure out whether either of these is what is happening.
Bob Nelson
As a side note, it should also be mentioned that the locomotive should be properly lubricated before running it. Taking it straight from your granddad's attic to a healthy workout under the Christmas tree is not a good idea.
yes I see the lever but does the train not automatically switch directions. No matter which way the switch is it still only goes foward.
"There should be a small lever under the tender to enable and disable the reversing unit." Did you look for this? Did you find it or not?
the train always runs foward. I just do not understand how to make the train go backwards do I need a special part or controller. think it is just something I'm missing. sorry everyone wasaway for the holiday
lionelsoni We should have asked up front whether the train goes forward every time you turn on the track voltage, or every fourth time.
We should have asked up front whether the train goes forward every time you turn on the track voltage, or every fourth time.
Good point, Bob.
Well, oneeleven, how often does it?
If moving the lever does not solve the problem, then there may be 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. 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.
There should be a small lever under the tender to enable and disable the reversing unit.
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.
I'm looking morefor instructions on how tomake the train change directions not so much as to a problemwith the train.
Thanks
Ray
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