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How to Troubleshoot American Flyer Steam Locomotives

The first great model train war started shortly after World War II. Lionel and Gilbert's American Flyer wrestled for model train world domination. Both companies sought to make their trains more realistic with smoke and sound. In 1948 American Flyer placed a smoke generator in the boiler linking it to the same motor that powered the locomotive. Lionel was unable to launch an effective counter attack. American Flyer locomotives cedar-scented smoke filled many homes in the 1950s and 1960s.

Things You'll Need

Lubricating and maintenance kit
Cloth
Screwdriver
Sandpaper
Toothpicks

Instructions

- 1
  Examine and clean all electrical contacts. Focus on the locomotive's wheels, contact rollers and sliders. Dirt and grease in these sections act as insulators and slow the train.
- 2
  Dampen a cloth with train cleaner. Extensive use of the smoke stack can leave a white reside on the locomotive's body. Gently clean the body.
- 3
  Remove the locomotive's top with a screwdriver. Examine the motor. If it is dirty, the locomotive can run unevenly and sluggish. Find the commutator -- the carbon brushes make contact on this segmented copper surface.
- 4
  Place the locomotive on its side. Connect one transformer wire to the locomotive's contact roller. Touch the other transformer wire to a metal section of the locomotive body. The commutator begins spinning. Press against it with a small piece of fine sandpaper.
- 5
  Clean the commutator slots with a toothpick. Clean and lubricate the entire motor and assemble the locomotive.
- 6
  Return the train to the tracks and test again. Start on the tracks closest to the transformer and run the train slowly around once. If the train stalls examine the track checking the connections.

Model Railroads