American Flyer track 101

Inspect, clean and use old track with care

[@michaelgmoore5708]

Sounds alot better than soaking track in vinegar. I have done that more times than I can count. The clean track rusts like crazy when drying. Brushing pure mineral oil all over the track keeps the rust down to a comfortable level but takes a week or more to dry up all the mineral oil. That oven trick did not work at all and the track rust came back anyway.

[@DennisMurphey]

I rub my track down with an old t-shirt as i am in a humid dusty basement. But it keeps them clean and rust free.

[@sharpenflat6002]

This works great for a substitute of track clips. CABLE STAPLES--1/2 inch wide---1-16 inch long--take a pair of pliers and sqeeze them just a little and they work perfect.

[@DennisMurphey]

Great tip

[@romanpapierz5066]

Hello Mr Dennis, enjoyed this video , I would like to add that you can use number 4 self tapping pan screw, about 3/4 long. they will go thru the nail hole if turned slowly. I generally use rubber road bed and drill , in the center a small hole in the tie of my choice . You probably know this but special dielectric grease helps the end pins conduct better (CASG)

[@DennisMurphey]

I must try that and the dielectric grease. Amazing the Diesels work better than the steamers over bumpy switches.

[@jamespatton1902]

Can I cut track with a hacksaw and still use

[@mikeprell2747]

Over the past ten or so years, I've found that replacing the cardboard is not always necessary. The track that you showed with the end tie slipping off is simple to restore. Simply expand the metal clips holding the tie in place and carefully remove it and the cardboard insulators. If the insulators are not completely damaged, you'll be able to reuse them.I've used this on many tracks. Also, there's a handy tool called a tie-master that is used to straighten bent ties. I've used it on countless pieces of track. All it takes is a little tlc.

[@DennisMurphey]

Mike Prell thanks good tip, i will give it a try.

[@johnnyjames7139]

My Flyer trains stopped running when they were about 3 years old because of using a bright boy (abrasive eraser) to clean the track. The scratches the bright boy made in the tin coating of the rail caused arcing of the contact wheels which made a nonconductive coating on the wheels. I don't use anything abrasive on tin coated rail any longer so the Flyer trains I now have run. This applies to all engines which don't have a sliding pickup shoe or lever.

[@michaelgmoore5708]

Johnny James just use shop rags and alcohol to clean track. I use old white socks also. Never use any of that store bought cleaner for anything. Track cleaning fluid can be found at train stores too.

[@DennisMurphey]

Old t shirt works for me, cheap too.

[@michaelgmoore5708]

I used the brite boys for years with no problem. I may have used them different tho. Rub the track over again harder more than once. Then the kicker is clean the track again with white socks or t shirts with lots of Alcohol! Try that!

[@natural-born_pilot]

I use a block pencil eraser as well as an electric high speed rotating eraser on my track and it does the job nicely. When the erasers get dirty just take an abrasive pad or stiff nylon cleaning brush to clean them up. Wipe the track down with a clean cloth or sock and vacuum up any pieces of used eraser when finished.

[@kevinmills8437]

I'm Going to Clean the old American Flyer Tracks From Old Rusty Tracks.

[@DennisMurphey]

Scotch Bright works great, Clean the track when you done to remove the dust. Show a video of your train running.

[@sharpenflat6002]

Shouldn't the pins be pulled out of the track and cleaned? It seems to me the part of the pin that is still inserted in the track would have the most rust and conductive contamination. From my experience, I have found this to be true. Once I finally figured this out, I got rid of a lot of continuity problems. Just my opinion. I love your videos. Thank you.

[@DennisMurphey]

Yes I have done on older really bad track. I always check ohms on joints just in case.

[@steelcityrailroad5095]

I'm cleaning AF track now!

[@DennisMurphey]

Is your track dirty today?

[@tommysager138]

Bad track are good candidates to be sawed into partial track sections, using the good part of it.

[@DennisMurphey]

Absolutely i save every piece just for that reason. Good input.

[@jamespatton1902]

Thank u for the channel

[@jamespatton1902]

Can u please tell me if it’s possible to cut a Guatemalan track to different sizes and still use it?

[@DennisMurphey]

Well, yes, i have cut Lots of old High Rail American Flyer track when I was making a custom layout with switches. I use a cutting tool on a Dremel and file the ends straight and smooth. You need to put in a new connector tang fort alignment and power transfer. Be sure to inspect the insulators and test the track with an Ohm meter to be sure nothing got shorted out. Try to keep the metal ties equally spaced so the track had good support. Good Luck James

[@kevinshea4776]

thanks for sharing! Can you remove the track rail and put new paper (insulation)?

[@DennisMurphey]

Kevin Shea yes you can bent the tie tang up on both sides and pull the old paper out and replace it. i us two layers of roofing paper.

[@michaelgmoore5708]

That's more trouble than it is worth.

[@michaeljohnson1443]

I got your email and i wanna say thanks for taking the time and letting me know. Would you happen to know what year that is? And where can i get parts for that set? I'm thinking about fixing it up if theres any hope for it.

[@DennisMurphey]

Are you ok now

[@robertm3cl]

where can i find new AF track?

[@DennisMurphey]

Hobby stores, like, Port Lines on line in new England

[@michaeljohnson1443]

I'm trying to find out how much my dad's train set is worth. It has the exact same track that your showing. His set is a late 1950's american flyer steam engine. The coal car has wires connecting to the engine.

[@DennisMurphey]

michael johnson it all depends, can you send me a photo image or engine number below the engineers window. [e-mail]

[@jockellis]

Dennis Murphey What did he tell you about the engine? Some years ago I was working at The Great Train Store near Atlanta when a woman brought in a nice, brass HO steam locomotive and s cheap plastic diesel which were owned by her late father. She wanted to know the value. I told her to go to the train show being held that weekend not too far away and see what vendors would pay. I also told her to toss the diesel in a trash can because taking both to the show would be a dead giveaway that she knew nothing about electric trains. But I could tell from the look in her eyes that she didn’t believe me and would take the diesel and think both valuable.

[@seeburgm100a]

@@jockellis Unless of course that diesel was a late production American Flyer F-9, some of them are worth a pretty penny

[@jockellis]

seeburgm100a naw, it was a well-worn Athearn Geep.