American Flyer Franklin 4-4-0 Locomotive with Tender - S Gauge 1960

[fifedog]

O-G, my AF 4-4-0 is 60 years old, and was also an erratic runner when I received it.  After a thorough cleaning, the more I operated it, the better it performed.  Once in a while it will throw itself into reverse, which is often caused by a dirty tangent of track (also 60 years old).  Today, I can pretty much throttle up the AF 15B and watch it run for long operating sessions.

[Flintlock76]

You're very welcome O Gauge!

[O Guage]

The contact cleaner worked now on to the repainting of the train will post pics when done thanks for all the advice and help

[O Guage]

Thanks ill try that 

[O Guage]

Want to thank every one for the input will use it to see what happens will post later up date 

[Postwar Paul]

You got me think in' 'bout this...

also, all these symptoms can be caused by chronic reverse unit sticking.

It may have been stuck in reverse before, and now it is stuck in neutral

( buzzing, no motion). See if you can look at the reverse unit and see if it is cycling properly. Can you see the drum turning every time the power is interrupted? This could be a good thing to check first.

Paul

[Postwar Paul]

Hi O gauge,

 these early motors are rugged and simple, but with age you may have more than one problem. Approach it systematically. It ran originally, but only in reverse. This is possible reverse unit issues. Now does not run at all after cleaning. Possibly worn brushes that are too short, or the tubes on the brush plate can possibly be gunked up, and the brushes are sticking, and not touching the commutator.

Without looking at it, you may want new brushes, and possibly the fingers in the reverse unit are worn.

Nothing too difficult, all common areas of wear. Of course check for broken wires. You might want to Google " American Flyer Steam Locomotive Wiring" for a diagram to work with.

Best of Luck!

Paul

[TrainLarry]

You need to isolate the motor from the reverse unit to check for proper motor functioning.

Take a picture of all the wiring to the motor to help in rewiring after the diagnosis is done.

Remove all the wiring to the motor.

Clean the brushplate, brushes, springs and the commutator (copper parts of the armature) with Naphtha. Do NOT use alcohol, as it will dissolve the insulation on the motor field and armature.

Connect one transformer lead to one brush connection. Connect the other brush connection to one field lead. Connect the other field lead to motor ground. Connect the other transformer lead to motor ground and apply power. The motor should run normally. Reverse the connections to the brush connections and apply power. The motor should run properly in the opposite direction.

The motor needs to pass this test. If it does, the problem is in the reverse unit. It may need to be rebuilt with new contacts and/or drum.

 

Larry

[Flintlock76]

Try spraying the E-unit with electrical contact cleaner, most hardware stores will have it in the electrical section.  I've cured several cranky Lionel E-units that way.

Although, the American Flyer experts here may have some advice for you too.

[O Guage]

I was lucky to get a Gilbert S Guage Franklin 4 4 0 locomotive and tender i thought, was told it ran when i got it it ran backwards only and smelled like wires were getting hot removed plastic body for service the armature where the brushes ran was black with oil and dirt cleaned every thing and lubed the gears re installed brushes now the eunit hummes laud and motor does not want to run, have ordered american flyer repair manuals have not arrived yet  any advice welcome until then