The reverse unit is mounted on the back of the motor. You should see a bare metal tab about a half inch long. That tab when pushed in locks the reverse unit in one direction. You need to pull it down so the unit will cycle from reverse to forward to reverse with each application of current from the transformer. While being of less quality that earlier Flyer engines the Casey Jones 4-4-0 is a good runner.
Thanks Irontooth! If the wheels manually move in reverse is it possible I have a broken motor? They do not move forward manually. I haven't had time to test the unit as I don't have S gauge track or an AC transformer yet and I don't want to invest unless the unit works. I'm going to take it over to my local hobby store and have them run it for me. It was an impulse purchase at a train show as my son loved the look of it. I should have tested it out there, but it's hard to keep up with a five year old at a train show!
Welcome to the Classic & Toy Trains forum. And what you have is truly a "toy train". This model number of the "Casey Jones" 4-4-0 was produced in 1961, 1962, and 1966. These were the declining years of the A. C. Gilbert Comany, and cost-cutting was the name of the game in the design of this particular locomotive. Consequently there is no headlight or smoke & choo choo unit. To get it running you will need some S-scale hi-rail track and an AC transformer. You can purchase either item new from Lionel, or these same items are plentiful on eBay at a considerably reduced price for used. To start you might consider a good inspection and cleaning, especially the check the gearbox. The origial grease tends to turn to wax with age. If that's the case it needs to be cleaned out replaced with new. This locomotive has a two-position reverse unit, meaning that it cycles between forward and reverse with no neutral setting in between. The reverse is mounted in the cab behind the motor. Reverse units are a common point of failure with Flyer locomotives. Again you can get repair parts on eBay, or you can bypass the unit entirely if you only want your loco to run in one direction.
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
AF engines have a worm drive armature, if you are trying to turn it by hand using the wheels it will not turn. You need to carefully turn the armature with you fingers carefully both directions, if the armature will not turn easily it may just need a good cleaning, check to make sure the siderods and other parts are not binding. I have one of these and they are great little runners.
Irontooth
First post! Hi everyone! Today I purchased what I think is a Gilbert manufactured S-gauge American Flyer 21165 4-4-0 (my first!) from a very nice gentleman at a train show. He assured me it ran fine. Stupidly, I did not have him test it out, as I'd heard these engines rarely have problems. (Perhaps I heard wrong?) The engine looked fine. When I got home I noticed the wheels move in reverse but not forward. I don't have tracks for this train so am unable to run it myself and - this being Sunday - the local hobby shop is closed. My question: Does this train need to be on the tracks to move forward? In other words, does it require electricity to move forward? Or is it possible I was sold a lemon? Please excuse my novice question!
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