Hello @Brian_Best I don’t know but someone here will. Welcome to the forums glad you are here
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The spring shoes on American Flyer diesels are there to help make better electrical contact. They never had wires running to them, the electrical connection was made through the locomotve truck frame to the truck body. The wheels on the same side as the shoe also picked up electricity.
Some steam engines had these shoes too. I believe they were especially critical for locomotives with ‘Air Chime’ horns and whistles, as it could cause the speaker in the locomotive to make a lot of crackly noises while the train was running, if there wasn’t good, consistent contact with the track.
-El
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Welcome to the forum, Brian_Best!
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Thanks for the quick reply! So , my issue seems to be the way the truck is mounted to the frame on that little post with the c-clip on top it looks like it was probably riveted originally? But I’m not sure because if it was supposed to move then how would the wires inside stay flexible enough to hold? Or maybe I’m misunderstanding. All I know is if I rock the frame back and forth the reverse unit starts clicking
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In my experience, at least some diesels came with trucks that are secured to the chassis via E-Clip. That is how my 372 Union Pacific Geep is set up.
The behavior you describe suggests an intermittent connection of some sort. I’d be double checking for frayed/loose/broken wiring or bad solder joints, as well as making sure the wheels and track were clean.
It might be worth making a new thread specifically for troubleshooting your train, as this thread is generally a place for sharing pictures.
-El
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Ok, I didn’t mean to highjack this thread ! Pictures are Great once I figure out how, I will
Welcome, Brian_Best!
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Welcome Brian
Chuck
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Something I find interesting with this catalog art, is that the Hudson is shown as #325. That model technically doesn’t exist, as only the 1951 325AC and 1952 K325 were made with a 325 number. Since this is a '51 catalog that would be a 325AC. But as catalog artwork is notorious for changing details like that its really not important. I just found that interesting.
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A whole generation of structural engineers got their start with the Gilbert Erector sets. We had to actually make the projects from scratch and put parts together with screws and nuts. No plastic snap-together parts.
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I don’t have enough Erector to really build anything with, but eventually I would love to construct some nice bridges and such for my trains. It’s a cool toy, with all sorts of possibilities. It’s really satisfying having to bolt everything together yourself!
I feel, in a way, like Lego occupies some of the niche that was once the domain of Erector. For anyone unfamiliar, have a look especially at Lego Technic, and the sorts of interesting contraptions people have built with it. No, it’s not the same. Still, nice to know that the spirit of erector lives on, even if the toy itself, as it was, isn’t on the market anymore.
-El
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And here is the Santa Fe that was inside the catalog.
Artwork like this is what fueled the desire of many a youngster to run the mighty Santa Fe.
Enjoying the World’s Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
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I think knowing the Gilbert management deliberations around the 1951 product line would be fascinating. Look at the 1951 catalog. The first engine shown with an air chime whistle is the 295, it was made. Next illustrated was the 325 Hudson with air chime whistle, it was made but the cab number became 325AC. Right below it was a 335 Northern, but with a description that did not include an air chime whistle. A 332AC was made that matched the description of the 335 shown in the catalog. Next illustrated is a 315 but with a description that did not include an air chime whistle. only a 312AC was made in 1951. Continuing on a 305 Atlantic with an air chime whistle is shown but with a Sorry-Not Available printed over the description. A 305 was not made.
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York that is the truth all imagination !
Chuck
Quite interesting to see the 405 with a yellow stripe.
Welcome aboard Brian,
Its good to have another Flyer enthusiast participating. Do you have the ability to post photos?
Northwoods Flyer
I’m not sure how to do that, apparently I need to post the link to them?
Anything is better than the old weeds Lionel dyed green for their Christmas tree flatcars! 
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