Restoring a 68 square foot Postwar American flyer layout

[Penny Trains]

A ScotchBrite scouring pad will do a decent job with the rails with adequate elbow grease.  That's the place I'd start at any rate.

aboard!

Becky

[cwburfle]

One loop has been brought back to working order, but the other one that works at all is impossible to get all the way around.

In my limited experience with American Flyer "S" gauge trains, they are rather sensitive to having clean track and clean pick ups on the engine. If the train moves partway, then it probably isn't the train.
I suggest cleaning the tops of the rails carefully. DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL. It can get into the mechanisms and really foul things up. Cleaning it out can take hours. The problem is much worse with Lionel trains due to magnetraction.
Determine how the engine gets its power (often through tender wheels), and clean them too.

All your locomotives, even the engine that runs should probably be lubricated.

Inspect your transformer cords for cracking. It's a common issue.

[LL675]

welcome to the site. sorry for your loss. I have my Dad's Lionel's he passed down to me, and my Uncle Jim's I got when he passed a few years ago, so these trains have a stong emotinal tie.

Pics would help others tell you what trains you have.

[stebbycentral]

First, welcome to the light side of the Force! 

Second, classic American Flyer is very robust and with the proper care and attention it can usually be brought back into working condition.  If you are on Facebook there is a specific group dedicated to helping individuals like yourself:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/335028733498557/

It's listed as a "Closed" group in order to keep spammers out.  You have to request admission from one of the Admins.  If you explain why you are seeking admission you shouldn't have a problem.

Alternatively, there are repair guides available through Amazon for restoring these older trains.  One that I use is "Gilbert American Flyer Operating and Repair Guide" by Thomas B. Barker. 

[Jlockk]

My grandfather Sadly died a few years ago, but he did give me his AF trains, which are sitting on a large layout that is 5 x 8 feet and 4 x 7 on the other side.It has 3 loops and a yard in the center, along with 6 locomotives and a TON of rolling stock. Only 1 locomotives runs, a 320 Alco PA, and all the other locos won't run. All locos except for the Alco are steam, and all get eletrical pickup. All loops and the yard have their own transformers, but only 2 seem to work. If the transformers are the problem, I have 2 spare 30Bs. If you couldn't tell yet, I am farmilliar with the names of the trains, but I have no idea how to restore. One loop has been brought back to working order, but the other one that works at all is impossible to get all the way around. Most rolling stock is in working order, but a few are missing couplers and 2 have major body damage. So my question is how do I restore this, and for what cost?