American Flyer 1949 300AC Clean & Relube

[@bensmodelrailroad]

That is the same exact model as my Fathers American Flyer!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Right on!

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Everyone played with their toys in the old days. I bought one of my favorite Lionel diesel locomotives the ALCO 20 2fa in my favorite color. It was running when I bought it but the bronze drive gear was worn out from countless hours of being run. Some kid got this locomotive as a Christmas present or a birthday present and enjoy the hell out of it which is what it was made for.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Not much TV watching. Our imaginations were more developed

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Everything in the old days was made to be serviceable and rebuildable forever. Everything was made to be of top quality which is why you can say with pride that something was made in America. That train said came from an era where everything underneath the Christmas tree was American made and everything in the house was American made.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup

[@railbaron9]

So true.

[@tracksidemike]

Hello Ron another great repair job fantastic video 👍🏻🚂TSM

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Mike!

[@johnbanicki7232]

Ron another great rehab. Love watching your videos. Keep them coming.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks John

[@ecidaho]

Vanessa Williams for todays classic model. I have an Atlantic and two versions of Pacifics, one metal boiler one plastic don’t have their numbers at moment. The Atlantic and metal boiler Pacific were bot my grandfathers. I have track and cars but need to find them from the tote pile in the garage. The locos are in doors lol but great video on how to clean them up!! Will red this when attacking them! Thanks Ron!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching and commenting Erick

[@ecidaho]

@@classicmodeltrains The American Flyer locos I have are an plastic boilered Pacific with a metal tender (with the reverser in the tender) numbered 282 (Chicago Northwester) from some where in early to mid 50s. The other Pacific is all metal boiler and metal tender with reverser in the tender, number Pennsylvania PRR 312 prob later 40s to early 50s. The Atlantic is numbered Reading 307 and is plastic or Bakelite boiler and tender with reverser in tender as well. It’s from 54 to 57 or so. Interesting how different models were made in relatively short time line. All with the link couplers. The Atlantic was not made with metal railings. Now I just need to find my missing tote of track. Grrrrrrr.

[@mobahartenholm9289]

Hy Ron, thanks for another video. Never change your style, its always heartwarming and unice😊 what Im always going to do by servecing old lokos is - I burned out the brushes with my soldering iron. It will take less than 60 seconds. If there is smoke coming out, there was a lot of dirt inside, coming in over the years. I see that the conductivity is much better and the komitator is longer in best shape. Stay healthy - regards Rainer

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Rainer for that little brush secret. I shall have to try it out!

[@michaelgmoore5708]

Really enjoyed watching you repair the 300 AF Atlantic like an old pro. That is for sure. Putting all those small parts back together is more than I want to do myself!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks so much Michael!!

[@TomzTrainzandAccessories]

As usual Ron, you did a great job in that American Flyer “S” Gauge locomotive. It’s great to see that bring variety to you channel. That’s what makes it interesting to see. Your beautiful model is none other than the beautiful Miss America 1983, Vanessa Williams. It’s a shame she resigned from the crown the following year. She’s still very beautiful.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you for your kind words! You are correct on the model.

[@clifnunnery4691]

Good show, always enjoyed maintaining trains, but guess it’s time to sell my collection

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! Sorry you have to sell your collection :-/

[@mrbumblehill4596]

Good video, thanks!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you

[@ecidaho]

Ron your an enabler. Just bought an 300AC on the bay that is reported to run. My 307 Atlantic has the molded hand rails ect and saw the 300AC on sale with complete hand rails ect and had to be just like you. I do need to find my missing track. Have found some rolling stack and cabooses. 👍 thanks again for your videos.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Welcome to your new addiction :-)

[@ecidaho]

@@classicmodeltrains Sooooooo bought a lot of Goodwill with some S gauge track and a later, 56 or so Atlantic and some rolling stock, all,have the later knuckle couplers so yep maybe your right!

[@classicmodeltrains]

@@ecidaho nice score!

[@jonpowell-ov3yh]

Lol, another great video. Looking forward to the next one (no pressure, eh!!😹).

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Jon :-)

[@markwakeley3835]

Good luck with the RV Channel Ron. I don't own an RV but I'll probably watch because you're so entertaining.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Mark!

[@rwheatley0206]

Great restore my friend. Looks great.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks 👍

[@stephenemick807]

Ron - thank you for your great videos and your engaging humor and style! Realizing that we all have different opinions on best practices - I would appreciate knowing specifics about what oil, lubricants, cleaning fluids, etc. you use in repairing and cleaning trains. I have a hunch this list would also be helpful for others. Thanks for considering this request!

[@classicmodeltrains]

You're welcome! I show what ever chemical / lubricant I am about to use in every video I use them in. They are all purchased from the Amazon place :-). Or specifically why I use the stuff I do? It's all synthetic based so it will not harm the plastics. As you stated many people have different opinions, and all use different stuff. I have no specific name brand or product I am married too.

[@MarkWick]

Good video. This locomotive was produced in October, 1949. When you turned the locomotive shell upside down about the 15 minute mark I could see the O and 49 stamped on the top of the shell, which was done with most American Flyer locomotives.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks Mark! Yup a '49 :-)

[@marklinzeit]

Hello Classic Model Trains, I really really like your videos and your humour. I have watched all your videos, and am watching them again. Your editing makes the videos more fun too. And no, I will not pa 75K for a new pickup. Keep up your amazing hobby and sharing it with us guys who admire your skills and personality! So cool!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you very much!

[@sheriegreen3061]

The bump is on the bottom of the brush bracket per Tom Barkers American Flyer train repair manual.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Sounds like a great way to remember the procedure!

[@BP_211yt]

I have an American Flyer New York Central Hudson From the same year! It probably hasnt run sense 2009 but its still in somewhat good condition. i love your videos btw

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for your kind words. I bet that Ol Hudson would still be functional no problem

[@BriansModelTrains]

You did another great job!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!

[@Trainman0401]

Smooth running engine. Great job bringing her back to life!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you!

[@stephenallmanjr3105]

Great video, I'm just learning how to fix these and doing a 290 right now, this video was INCREDIBLY helpful. Thank you from Canada.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad I could help from down south of ya in Montana

[@MrZlooze]

Vanessa Williams...excellent!

[@classicmodeltrains]

YUP!

[@Tool-Meister]

I was new in 1949... Wish I was that easy to maintain and repair 🤪. I stay plenty busy with maintaining over 25 each of diesels and steamers, and of course action cars. JUST lubricating a train with a decent consist is a 1/2 hr job, or more.. That aside, NICE video!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks! Sounds like you have a nice collection going there :-)

[@sharpenflat6002]

Love the candle.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Something a little different

[@williamsantangelo]

Great show Ron!!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@darrenrawlinson6344]

Great job, runs like new! Scraping the years of crud off the wheels, very satisfying.... I've had some with the dirt as thick as traction tyres!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thank you. Yeah it's weird how the crud builds up on the wheels so bad.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Call of our people. I like that.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Our ralley Cry :-)

[@garyjust.johnson1436]

Irene Cara! Fame! Great video!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Hello Gary, Its been a long time since this video but I've never used Irene. Good idea though!! She was soft on the eye back then for sure!!

[@andy41417]

1:36 Today’s train made overseas and despite doing more can be a bigger challenge to repair.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup. Give me the classics

[@TheBrandon40500]

I love your videos man your one cool dude with a great attitude and personality. You do fantastic work too by the way.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I appreciate that, Thank you very much :-)

[@casstelles]

I have one of those 300ACs that I will have to replace the fingers on the reversing unit due to breakage. Right now, it's a 'one of these days' project.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I hear fellers can still get new fingers, or new reversing units. There aftermarket of course, but their out there.

[@Zebrails]

7:30 Yes, a lot of oil, but perhaps kept it from rusting and dry-rotting. John BC, Canada p.s. 15:35 Note numbers inside the casting: 6 49 There's your build date (six years after Tesla's death. (Thank you George Westinghouse for giving Nikola his fair and due credit.)

[@classicmodeltrains]

It definitely helps if its stored for 30 years or so. Perhaps that's what saved this from a musty basement or something?

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing. Very nice.👍

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for visiting

[@regisbraga3833]

Well said Ron: inflation! But for today standards, 210 bucks do not seem very expensive for an S scale train set, comparing to HO and N scale starter sets ( but if I convert it to Reais, our currency here in Brazil, it’s almost 70% of our national monthly minimal wage…). Quite impressive work my friend, by the way! Well done (as always)!

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks once again My Friend for your always kind words. I'm saddened by how bad the money / inflation is down there :-(

[@regisbraga3833]

Tell me about it man! Something between 4% and 12% a year is norm, but - believe me - it was worse, much worse during the middle seventies to the middle of 1994. I remember March 1990: more than 83% IN A MOUNTH! And we survived!

[@classicmodeltrains]

@@regisbraga3833 That sounds horrible. 😕

[@hpelisr]

I have a 310 and 312 model AC Gilbert, they have chuggers, built in the engine.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup! The 300 series were what a lot of us were exposed to in the starter sets back in the day. Nice loco's

[@gacj2010]

So what j see ...you have a complete understanding about how all of these works and with that ,you can take apart any and figure it out ,even if it's new to you...that's what I don't have...guess it's years of tinkering Iove it though

[@classicmodeltrains]

Ive been taking apart stuff to see how it works since childhood. I love all things mechanical

[@JAIRSEVERNAYA]

sempre um belo conteudo parabems

[@classicmodeltrains]

Muchas gracias mi amigo

[@maltnz]

Re oiling linkages. My experience over the years is it is OK to lube the retaining nuts or screws but not friction fit pins. The lube penetrates between the friction pin and the sides of the retaining hole. Then there is no more friction fit and the pins work loose.

[@classicmodeltrains]

:-)

[@MygrandpasTrain]

I just did a video on my second 300 AC (the 1 piece boiler) over on my channel. Basically the exact same thing I did. Doesn't get much simpler than the 300 AC. Nicely done. I noticed the boiler front on yours looks home made. Any idea what it is? Or was? I got a couple other engines in need of parts and I might fabricate something like that. Also, I use a different method of cleaning the tender wheels, one not involving a wire wheel :) Pop the axles out and chuck them in a drill then use paper towel and spirits (or I also use Goo Gone). That takes the carbon and dirt right off. Then I put them in the ultra sonic cleaner, (Got that idea from you as well). The tin trucks bend easily and you can pop the axles out for thorough cleaning. Don't do that on the sintered iron trucks, they could break. My video also shows how I took the drum out of the reverser to polish. Of course it can be done with it installed, but pulling it out can make cleaning a bit easier. I also learned later that the slotted motor brushes were from the pre-war motor design, and the post war motor used a shouldered brush. But I don't think that changes operation, just interesting to note.

[@classicmodeltrains]

I'm thinking the boiler cover was a home made job. Pretty good idea's on your method for truck cleaning. I'm going to pop over to your channel and check out that video right now. Thanks for watching and commenting on this vid :-)

[@SleeperBBQ]

TY

[@classicmodeltrains]

Still working on them all I see. Thank you for the support!!!

[@davidgerber9907]

You have the brush holder bakelite pice upside down. The rounded pard on the back goes do the bottom, not the top.

[@classicmodeltrains]

You have a good eye there David. Luckily I still have that loco so I had to take it down and give it a good looking at. Here I thought the brush holders would only fit one way but sure enough! I see if the rounded part was towards the bottom it would help keep the brushes and commutator area a bit more sealed up. Thanks for pointing that out to me :-)

[@jasonbrown4239]

I just learned but doing by myself I got mostly all mine as a kid free out the garbage or cheap at a flea market so I was taking them apart redoing made a lot of mistakes no KZbin then so if I messed up had to go to the one old guy down the st who fixed them for a hobby shop he never complained how bad I messed something up and always helped me when I did even always had old parts

[@classicmodeltrains]

I hear ya Jason. Thats how I learned as well. Take everything apart you can as a youngster. sure a couple of times you really mess something up but that's how you get better. Nice the Old Feller down the street helped you out. Great story!!

[@13thBear]

Hi Ron. Candle? What, yer a magic show now? You already established your style and your intro and exit, so why not stick with it. Save the candle for Halloween and power outages. Good show, btw. Interesting to see the guts of an American Flyer. Never had one and never knew anybody that did. It was Lionel or HO equipment.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Greetings 13th! I like doing things a bit different to spice it up. Yea, growing up A.F. "S" gauge was a bit of a underdog. Bigger now I believe

[@tonyurso4763]

779 views and only 152 likes great videos need more likes only takes 1 second

[@classicmodeltrains]

I agree with you. If people are watching on a smart TV it's a lot harder to navigate to the like button than it is on a computer, phone, or tablet. Well, that's what I tell myself :-/

[@edwardjackowski771]

Irene Cara.... also on electric company FAME

[@classicmodeltrains]

:-)

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

That train is as old as I am (born 1949). Maybe you could give me a tune up so I could run better?

[@classicmodeltrains]

Thanks for watching Lynn!!

[@danshobbies13]

Am I the only one that can smell this out motor working?

[@classicmodeltrains]

I admit I took a couple huffs when it was on the bench running ;-) Ahhh.........smelled like the 70's to me.

[@DennisMurphey]

Date stamp on the engine body don't rub it off, bushing fell out, my favorite Atlantic, all the detail is so cool. I have a later one I fixed up. Its in a life test run here, kzbin.info/www/bejne/rX-7fZqKi9d6otksi=ztVj2MIj95X6w1yT Warning this engine is NOT 100% Original, it has been upgraded. Dennis

[@classicmodeltrains]

I will have to go and check out this video. Thanks

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

I keep my trains lubricated before every use i use reclaimed 1 30 motor oil i get 16oz bottle for 99cents at the dollar tree and it uas lasted 9 years so far maybe longer i dont use 3 in 1 oil it eats plastic like crazy

[@classicmodeltrains]

Reclaimed motor oil? interesting, thanks for the info.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

People made a lot more than a dollar 75 an hour in the old days. You have to remember money had more buying power in those days. What I work for 10 hours a day as a kid putting flyers in the apartment buildings downtown I would make $20 at $2 an hour. $2 got me 6 gallons of regular gas at 33 cents a gallon, 3 Model Railroader magazine at $0.60 each, comic book and a soda for an hour's work as a kid. Now to have the same buying power you would have to make $24 an hour. 2 by 3 monthly train magazines would cost you $27 an hour . Since the 1970s prices have gone up 10 times and wages have gone up four. And let's not forget that American Flyer set was made in America by Americans who did not work for nothing.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Google tells me 1949 average pay was .80 cents a hour. I agree the money bought a lot more back then

[@butchandel1992]

I have a lot of nascar all in orginal packing I am willing to trade for an American Flyer train set

[@classicmodeltrains]

Cool. But AF train sets are pretty cheap on the eBay or marketplace. Hope you find one and get started on a cool layout soon :-)

[@sharpenflat6002]

Vanessa Williams

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup

[@chuckythedoll4815]

Wait, you had to use a nutdriver? You wouldn't see that on a modern day loco.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Yup! A modern day one would be held together with a plastic piece that would break off if you looked at it to hard :-D

[@chuckythedoll4815]

@@classicmodeltrains heaven forbin one look too hard at a handrail anymore, lol. It will snap, no doubt. Usually in shipping. I've had them broken, windows knocked out, you name it. Today's locos are made to break. Reminds me of newer cars too.

[@chuckythedoll4815]

Had to have athearn find handrails for a 2005 sp tunnel motor, kodachrome. They found one set in a hobby store in Illinois. Some of it is not easy to find.

[@traveler7353]

My engine has power, just it wont move.

[@classicmodeltrains]

Might be all gunked up with grease, or the reverser has a wire off and armature or electromagnet not getting the Juice

[@darrenharvey6084]

Tyra Banks

[@classicmodeltrains]

Vanessa Williams

[@theplumber33]

Lol, an awesome one!!! Great detailed explanation . A loop of track would be nice. 🫵✌️

[@classicmodeltrains]

A loop would be nice. Maybe I should put one around the cabin walls up at the ceiling level?

[@theplumber33]

@@classicmodeltrains that would be cool!!