Hi,I’m new to this site and I need some help.I have an old #401 American Flyer Steam Loco I just got.It needs some work and I can’t find any info on O-guage A.F. It’s from 1930-33.It has some broken wires and it’s mising the wheels off the back truck.The front has a bulb pertruding from the boiler section,and does anyone know what type of transformer these trains used back then.Any help would be greatly appreciated in repairing and finding parts and info.Thank You
Transformer - your train can be used with any of the postwar Lionel or Flyer transformers.
Wheels - there are a couple of manufacturers of the smaller wheels. I believe Richard Trickel either makes them or has them listed in his catalog. If you go to page 7 of the thread “Prewar American Flyer-an Invitation” on this board (at the moment it is near the top of the page) I have posted his address. If he doesn’t have them then you might try Model Engineering Works. If you can wait a few weeks and can get over to the TCA meet in York I know there are several parts suppliers who have these for sale.
Additional thought - Do the drive wheels of your engine move easily? If they don’t the could be warped or, if they are straight, you might find that the springs holding your carbon brushes against the electric motor armature, have stiffened and are not as flexible as they should be. These can be replaced with any number of brush springs.
If you are curious about other aspects of pre-war Flyer I’d recommend you take a look at the thread Northwoods Flyer started (the one previously mentioned).