American Flyer

[Sturgeon-Phish]

The E unit is a four position forward neutral reverse neutral. As power is applied the coil actuates pushing a lever which rotates a pawl on the drum which applies current from the tender wheels to a specific set of fingers. The lever under the tender locks the e unit into a position so when you stop the loco, to go in the original direction, you don't have to cycle through the forward neutral reverse neutral sequence. It will hum if it's stuck in nuetral, either buy the lever or just stuck ( a common problem). The 293 is a great engine. Usually cleaning and relube is all they need to run like new.

[marxalot]

I'm in the process of getting an old American Flyer 293 steamer running again for a guy at work. This unit is pretty neat but I have a question. I do not have an A-F power supply so I cannot check for proper operation of the relay/E unit(?) in the tender. On the bottom of the tender there is a lever which moves contacts on what I'll call a drum switch. In one postion the engine goes forward. In the next position the relay unit just hums away. In the 3rd postition the engine runs backwards. Is there suppose to be somthing happening in that middle position? Like the e-unit selects forward or reverse when getting some signal from a power supply? I love the chuff unit on this thing, it sounds great and does a nice job of pushing smoke. I was impressed that the smoke unit just started up as soon as a little liquid was put in and it was run a bit. Nice train! Thanks for your time.

Jim

[Dr. John]

I have a number of pieces of AF rolling stock and a box full of track and switches. No AF engines, but I do have an American Models Geep, a SHS SW-1 and SW-7.

[overall]

I have a few flyer pieces also including one very nice post war hudson.

George

[mersenne6]

Pre-war Flyer here too.

[hugoroundhouse]

American Flyer guy since '55!! I've just gotten back into the hobby after retirement. Nothing beats the fun of getting my hands on an old abused Flyer and making it sing again. (or should I say, "chug" again.
Jim E.

[Poppa_Zit]

I have post-war Flyer that I run on a layout along with S-Helper Service and American Models stuff. And I have a few K-Line cars that I put behind an old loco when kids come over. Also have some pre-war stuff -- mainly streamlined sets and streamlined locomotives.

[Anonymous]

I have a lot of American Flyer S gauge trains and accessories that I have combined with my O gauge trains on my layout. I also have a small amount of prewar Flyer.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Postwar steamers and accessories is my thing. Work in progress is a 5x9 with several accesories and three operating lines.

[pbjwilson]

Pre-war Flyer collector here -

[Anonymous]

I have some postwar, link coupler stuff, with the "tinplate looking" trucks. These are the ones I like best. Will be starting a very small Flyer layout soon so I can run a set. Will be using the S-Helper track with the ballest. My favorite is the K-4 with the green NH passenger cars. Am using a old AF Oil Drum Loader and Water Tank on my "O" layout. Also have the old Talking Station, but don't want to wear the record out. Joe

[Tom1947]

Yes, since 1955 when I received my first set for Christmas. The set contained an 307 Atlantic along with 3 or 4 cars and a cabose. I have been collecting ever since. Tom

[dbaker48]

Are there very many Flyer fans on this forum?