American Flyer: Fun With Fiber Pins #3, Adding the No. 709 Lock Out Eliminator

[@ronalddevine9587]

Thanks for educating us.

[@HallofScienceWest]

I’m just having fun messing with all these cool gadgets Gilbert came up with for their trains. I’m hoping people find it useful for their own Flyer fun. 👍

[@-MAILMAN]

K-Line made plastic pins for S Gauge track. I think Lionel did also. I bought a bunch when I saw found them. Both companies also made replacement metal pins which I also have which come in handy when buying used track because you get some pieces missing pins sometimes.

[@andy41417]

Gargraves No. 800 plastic track pins will work like the AF fiber pin.

[@andy41417]

Lionel No. 253 Block Signal directions mention use of a 7.5 ohm 10 watt adjustable resistor to “bled” enough power to avoid cycling reverse unit but not enough to move engine. Suspect the 709 LOE could be used with Lionel bascule bridge, block signal and stop stations too. Maybe the Prewar Lionel No. 81/95 and AF 1251/1281 Controlling rheostats will work as the 709 except they have adjustability. Lionel also integrated a non derailing feature in the O22 switch so instead of stopping train would correct the switch. Use of AF track trips 697, 670/26670, 26671 & 26672 can mimic this. Lionel 41 & 99N may substitute for these trips.

[@davesaftrains4368]

Just rebuilt 343 0-8-0 AC that evolved into a locomotive with great efficiency, performance, and response including creep/scaled speed at low voltage. Be interesting to see a DC locomotive that has been completed rebuilt can hold in the section controlled by the Gilbert Lock Out Eliminator. See my video series complete with 3 test phases of a 343 AC rebuild.

[@HallofScienceWest]

I’ve been following that series and check out your channel often for repairs. Norbert Doerry in his online book about speed and power for AF trains mentions for can motors you need two 10 ohm resistors in series (20 ohms) or two 50 ohm resistors in parallel (25 ohms) to get a can to stop. I tried it with some low amp resistors and it worked but they got real hot. A 10 amp resistor would probably be good.

[@davesaftrains4368]

@@HallofScienceWest just an fyi 343 0-8-0 switcher (1957-58) has a 1/2 inch armature/field motor, the one I rebuilt has impressive low voltage creep or scaled speed. Will Gilberts lock out eliminator hold it, be interesting to test. Thanks for your reply.

[@gwesco]

If you don't have an official lockout eliminator, you can get a 10 ohm 10 watt resistor from any reputable electronics supplier for a few dollars. I have seen them listed on ebay under American flyer for as much as $19 plus shipping! That's ridiculous.

[@SOU6900]

What's that device you got wired up to thetransformer?

[@HallofScienceWest]

@SOU6900 That is a no. 15 electronic rectifier as Gilbert called it. During the early post-war years American Flyer experimented with making DC powered locomotives in S-scale. This is just an early primitive way of converting AC to DC power. American Flyer also attempted to make a DC transformer which they called an electronic rectiformer. They had issues generating the wattage for the larger S-scale trains using tube technology available at the time. I cover it a little bit in my KZbin video on unboxing a like new set no. 5009. Thanks for your question.