I’m new here, and I’m lacking very basic knowledge, so please bear with me. I recently inherited some trains from an uncle and I would like to try to run them, but I don’t have any equipment except for the trains themselves. I’ve been trying to understand what equipment I need to run them and I’m having trouble finding very basic information. All of the info I can find is written by and for hobbyists who already know what they’re doing. So very basic info is lacking.
I’ve come to understand that I need, at the very least, a transformer and some track. It’s my understanding that the transformer will plug into a wall outlet and the other end will connect directly to the tracks. And I understand that I can probably just solder the wires to the track. Please correct me if I’m wrong about that.
So I’ve been looking for the most cost-effective way to obtain a transformer and some track - just enough to test the locomotives to see if they even run.
Some of the locomotives are AF #s 283, 290, 293, 300, 301, 302, 302AC, 312, and 312AC
There may be others. I have a lot of boxes I haven’t gotten through yet. I think they’re all from the 40s and 50s. I don’t know if they run or not.
So my questions are myriad:
What do I need to test them? Just the transformer and track?
Are they all AC? (I assume that e.g. since one of them is 312, and another 312AC, I need both AC and DC?)
Do I need separate tracks and transformers for any DC locomotives?
What other very basic information am I missing?
What is the most cost effective way to test them?
Do I need vintage AF transformers and track, or can I use some more modern, less expensive equipment?
Finally, is there any good online resource to find very basic information about model trains? I’m a complete noob here.
Thank you in advance for any information you can offer!
O-gauger here–so take what I have to say with a grain of salt–but I’ll try to answer your questions as best as I can.
Yes… and no. You can technically test them with just the transformer, but you can do so more effectively with track. A word of note–it might be easier to use a “lockon”–an electrical terminal which clips to the track. Much easier than soldering to track, which is a nightmare.
These are probably all AC. The Flyer folks here on the Forums (I did recategorize your topic so that they will find it more easily) will know for certain about each one.
No to the first bit, yes to the second. In S (since I presume that all of these are S scale), track is track is track, pretty much. The track itself will happily carry DC, AC, even a square wave or whatever other voltage you put to it. The transformers, on the other hand… for DC you’ll need a special DC power pack, which can be obtained easily–they are quite common for the smaller scales.
Lots–I’ll get there later.
Put the train on the track, give it voltage, and see what it does. Turn the power on and off a couple of times and see the result there. That’s the simplest way to do it. A further question is whether or not it can be repaired, if it does not properly function. This is a very variable thing, and requires experience more than anything else.
Here we get to a counterintuitive little bit of model railroading. You do not need vintage transformers or track, but they are usually actually cheaper than the new stuff. Yeah, I know. You don’t have to get Flyer transformers, though. Lionel and Marx will both work equally effectively. Do note that Lionel transformers should not be throttled up all the way with Flyer equipment to prevent overvoltage.
Basic information about American Flyer trains can be found from American Flyer–not the American Flyer of today owned by Lionel, but the American Flyer of 1947 via an instruction manual: http://www.americanflyerexpress.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/American-Flyer-1947-Instruction-Manual.pdf.
Now, back to the basic information you’re missing. I’m going to let the Flyer people fill you in on that, because I’m missing 3/4s of the basic information myself! Sorry to chicken out there.
All the engines listed have universal motors so they all will run with AC or DC track power. I recommend AC because AC transformers are plentiful, usually inexpensive, and adequately powerful. All of your engines were made with link couplers except the 283 and 293 which are newer and have knuckle couplers.
Any AC transformer rated 75Watts or greater is acceptable. The advantage with Gilbert transformers is the output voltage is within the Gilbert motor design limits and the terminology matches the instruction manuals. Many Gilbert operators use Lionel or modern transformers.
Any S gauge High Rail track works; Gilbert, SHS/MTH, GarGraves, American Models, Lionel FasTrack, Fox Valley Models.
All the Gilbert Catalogs and the Factory Service Manual are online at www.myflyertrains.net. The instruction manuals and a listing of all Gilbert S gauge items is online at www.americanflyerexpress.com.
Let me know what else you need.
. Remember to have fun!