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American flyer 4-4-2 hums but don't go

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  • Member since
    July 2014
  • 29 posts
American flyer 4-4-2 hums but don't go
Posted by SOU_RY_modeler on Monday, December 7, 2015 7:11 PM

Hello,

I just bought an American Flyer 4-4-2 (Reading Lines # 302) yesterday at a train show, I test ran it after I cleaned the tracks I got with it and it ran fine but today it went fine but after passing over 3 sections it stopped and just buzzed... Does anyone know what the problem is the headlight comes on and the reverser buzzes but it doesn't go... yesterday it ran and smoked fine with no troubles... I would appreciate any help I can get seeing as I'm this is my first S scale locomotive and im still trying to figure out how everything works (I am using A.C. Current).

Thanks for the help!

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Monday, December 7, 2015 7:16 PM

Likely to get quicker help on the Classic Toy Trains forums, some people here have tinplate/hirail, but most of us are scale modelers. If the reverser buzzes but won;t move, probably the switch part of it is jammed. That would certainly cause the symptoms, no power to the motor but the headlight comes on, and the reverser solenoid buzzes.

                            --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
  • 8,639 posts
Posted by Texas Zepher on Monday, December 7, 2015 7:31 PM

SOU_RY_modeler
I just bought an American Flyer 4-4-2 (Reading Lines # 302) yesterday at a train show, I test ran it after I cleaned the tracks I got with it and it ran fine but today it went fine but after passing over 3 sections it stopped and just buzzed... Does anyone know what the problem is the headlight comes on and the reverser buzzes but it doesn't go... yesterday it ran and smoked fine with no troubles... I would appreciate any help I can get seeing as I'm this is my first S scale locomotive and im still trying to figure out how everything works (I am using A.C. Current).

Have you tried manually changing the reverser and locking it into "forward".

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • 29 posts
Posted by SOU_RY_modeler on Monday, December 7, 2015 8:25 PM

I tried with the lever in every position... Is there another way?

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Monday, December 7, 2015 8:39 PM

 You may hve to get in there and move the plunger and see if it moves or if it is stuck.

                     --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, December 7, 2015 8:45 PM

I mostly model HO scale, but I also have some American Flyer trains from my youth.  I have an American Flyer 4-6-2 #312 that I rehabbed a few years back.

There is a bit of a learning curve for someone just starting out in post-war S gauge. The main issues are the reversing unit, the motor (particularly the brushes), and the smoke unit.

Here is an excellent web site, complete with a series of repair clinics:

http://www.portlines.com/afrepairclinics.htm

Spend some time reading through these clinics in order to gain some basic knowledge.

About 5 years ago, I posted on the Classic Toy Trains forum and got some excellent advice. Take a look at this thread:

http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/181546.aspx

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, December 7, 2015 8:51 PM

You can actually separate the the tender from the engine by disconnecting the wiring harness. Then, you can use a jumper on the motor terminals to get the engine running. That way, you can test the motor and the smoke unit.

The reversing unit is the cause of a lot of performance problems on these old steam engines.  So, before you tackle the reversing unit, make sure that the motor and smoke unit work properly.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • 29 posts
Posted by SOU_RY_modeler on Monday, December 7, 2015 8:53 PM

Huh? Just checked and the plunger isnt stuck

  • Member since
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  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
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Posted by wjstix on Monday, December 7, 2015 9:25 PM

Over the weekend I took my old Flyer 4-4-0 out for it's "around the tree" Christmas running. It did the same thing at first. On mine, I eventually was able to get it to run in reverse for while, then it was able to go forward. It still can be a little balky, sitting and buzzing. If you haven't already lubed the gears etc., try that. Then just force the wheels to turn forward by pushing it. Eventually it should start to go. 

Stix
  • Member since
    July 2014
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Posted by SOU_RY_modeler on Monday, December 7, 2015 9:37 PM

It has the 4 pin 5 wire setup for smoke and light in neutral

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • 29 posts
Posted by SOU_RY_modeler on Monday, December 7, 2015 9:39 PM

I've tried making go if I try forcing it forward on the track it's a100% shutdown... The motor spins with my finger and it goes but not without power... So far the bulk of my S scale knowledge came from the guy a bought it from it was cleaned and lubed when I got it and it ran then

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, December 7, 2015 9:55 PM

Separate the tender from the engine by disconnecting the wiring harness.

From there, you have to jumper the motor tabs and if the motor is in good working order, you will be able to run the engine without the tender.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, December 7, 2015 10:02 PM

Here is a link to the jumper setup.

http://www.trainweb.org/s-trains/diagram/jumper.gif

Rich

Alton Junction

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