Prewar American Flyer and Ross Track and switches

[oscar99]

American Flyer prewar trains as well as Lionel prewar and postwar trains were designed to run on tubular track. If you want to run you trains use the track that they were designed for.

[Nationwidelines]

You have discovered one of the problems with Ross Switches and Gargraves track.  Years ago I discovered the same problem on my first layout.  The Gargraves track, while not ideal for prewar flyer, for the issue you mentioned, will work.  Unfortuately, the frogs on the Ross Switches are not designed for the wide flanges on most of the prewar American Flyer trains. 

I solved my switch issue by removing the switches from my layout.  I continued to use the Gargraves track for the next 20 years and only recently replaced it with tubular Lionel track.

So essentially the options you have are to either create one loop of track with no switches or just display your engine as is. 

I would not advise swapping motors, as that often destroys the value / collectability of the train.

Other prewar Flyer trains that will work with the Ross switches are any of the thin flanged motors, such as the Union Pacific City of Denver streamliner, the Hiawatha, the 1680 Hudson, 432/43224 Atlantic, and 435/43226 Pacific, 429 switcher, and many of the smaller tin streamliners, which also have thin flanges.

NWL

[twh67]

I have my Dad's prewar American Flyer O Gauge 9900 Zephyr and just built a new layout with Ross track and Ross switches.  It can't go through the switches and even the track is rough with the depth of the wheel flanges and the lack of space between the top of the track and the ties.  It is the heavier cast aluminum Zephry.  I don't have a loop of track that does not have at least one switch.

I guess I have two options, don't run it, just display it, which I don't want to do, or replace the motor.

Has anyone replace a motor so your prewar AF train so it can run on Ross track/switches, or any other low profile track?  If so, any pictures or part numbers would be appreciated.

Thanks

Tony