A Northern Pacific Diesel Train Story: Bringing American Flyer engines back to service.
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- A friend sent two engine to me to service. Little did either of us realize the dubious past both engines had been though. Both of them had a story to tell...and provided fun challenges to over come.
Have you ever had something like with an American Flyer engine? Please share you comment.
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Diesel roar was first used in 1956. That NP set sounds like mixed up parts that didn't come ready from the factory. Steve was a good repairman if that is the same person. There is a 55year repairman named Bob who might be able to answer a few questions that are considered mind blowing! He's on the net in the repairman information some place.
So complicated, that`s why I love my Marx Santa Fa #21 built in 1950--54. She runs on their basic proven good old and bullet proof double reduction motor. For joy, for joy! GOD BLESS.
Simplicity is a beautiful thing! Thanks for the comments plunkervillerr1529
Thanks for sharing a great video.
really good story and video I really enjoy your sharing!!
Thank you Michael for watching and I appreciate your comments. I'm also Grateful your Royal Blue did not put me through all these places.😃
Awesome video. I've been learning a lot from these, very much a newbie, keep them coming!
Hello Stephen and welcome! I appreciate your comments. And to be honest I often feel like a newbie as there are always new things to learn about flyer to be sure.
Quite the story! I really love the lines of the American Flyer Alco Pa. And I also love the diesel roar in small doses 😁
Thanks for your comments Jeremy.
They are such beautiful locomotives, sad to see but that is great sounding diesel
I agree with you Dave. I found it fascinating how much the shell reverberation made the diesel roar sound better. It certainly was anemic with out the shell.
Very touching story Austin, really enjoyed the video. 😊
Thank you.
Nice work.
Thank you.
That is a great sounding diesel roar. You may have a mix of parts from different units and years, but these are still legitimate A. F. pieces. Even the Gilbert factory mixed and matched during production when I would reduce the cost of a unit.
Thanks Mark. I have heard this also that Gilbert 'recycled' often..especially with accessories. I do wonder if mixing parts from engines 7-8 years different in age might have been a bit of a stretch for even Gilbert.🤔.
I was particularly interested in this video as I too have the NP 490/492 set. The last time they were run, a very long time ago, I didn't hear the diesel roar so I don't know if it has it or not. You really put the time in and I like many appreciate that. Also, I just found this video and found there are a couple more I haven't seen because YT is not notifying me about new vids. And not just your channel but most of the ones I'm subscribed to. In addition I sent you and email a few days ago. Thanks for the video and now its time to watch the ones I haven't seen.
Now I know why I haven't see posts from you for awhile. I've been sick and have been able to do much. I'll heed to look up your engine but I thought it had a 2 step reverse unit on them
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains I'm sorry to hear you have been sick but hoping you are doing better. I got out my 2 PA units and both have power pickups so I'm now guessing the unit may not work, or, my memory is really bad. Either are possible.🙃I have a list of my train cars, locos, etc, and I only found 2 of my NP passenger cars but I show I have 4. Hope I've overlooked a box somewhere and I'll find them. Also, my email said 21186 but its 21168. Thanks for responding and take care of yourself.
That's definitely a 360 chassis in the power unit.
The frame has also been notched to clear a post in the 490 shell.
I appreciate the confirmation. Interesting swap eh?
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains about the only benefit is that the early 360 had the factory installed axle bushings.
You have so much more patience than I. Amazing work Austin!
Thank you Chris. How are you feeling these days?
Very Cool!
I agree with you sarbig1.
Wow, that was a surprise to see the old chassis hiding under those. Is it possible those loose bushings would cause binding issues? At least bushings could be replaced. If that was the later version, you'd have to replace the whole truck casting, which I had to do on my 5-dig Baldwin.
Oh my!
But an interesting story right?
You did a great job rebuilding the two locomotives and the sound is great. It almost looks as if the shell were to close to some sort of paint stripper or perhaps someting very costic. My guess is that you should consider repainting the two as Northern Pacific. There was a time that I could only hope to own a set of these beauties, so I replicated the set in H.O. scale and then I followed the up with a set the freight Santa Fe Alco's. I can send you photos if you would consider repainting them And I do believe that I have all the decals to do the job. Ask D. M. about me. It's a tough decision but a beautiful set of Northern Pacific Alco's is far, far more beautiful than a set of abused N.P.'s and you will be a happy camper when they return to you. Any way Good Luck with the girls.
Leon...please connect with me via email. aftrainfun@gmail.com
I wonder if the paint issue is related to Tree Sap of Christmas Tree flocking. I have seen similar effects. The sap almost eats into the paint.
You might have something there. Thanks for the comment.
The roar sounds great. What is the secret?
The difference in the diesel roar was the amplifying of the sound the shell created. There are little Tweeks that can be done to the mechanism to make changes in the sound...but those are limited.
Assuming an unscrupulous person hadn’t swiped the chassis out before selling them off, it’s probably due to the fact these were owned by kids , and they do the dangest things. Being a former one, I was guilty of some real Frankenstein repairs to either keeping things going or just experimenting. As regards the paint, probably poor storage in a hot attic or damp basement- who knows. If it isn’t coming off with soap and water with some alcohol I would just leave it. I’ve messed up a few times trying different exotic things cleaning old shells just to see what works. I think the NPs were some of the best of ACs paint schemes .
I too wonder what would lead to the paint damage. It is random enough I do not believe it was intentional. And it seems where there is a spot there is also a slight rise in the plastic. Very peculiar indeed. I did all of my Frakentrain experimenting in HO trains...at least I didn't intentionally mess up any flyer
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains yep- that’s the path I took too- Flyer was a much later discovery.....
If you wouldn't mind, I'm very interested in what about flyer captured your interest. Please send me an email aftrainfun@gmail.com
I don’t know how long I could listen to that roar. I personally love the gliding sound these make. Awesome work
I'm with you on the roar. It is really fun until suddenly it needs to stop. I've started adding in/off toggles into diesel roar units and noise airchime units.
@@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains that’s an awesome idea. My 322 has a switch, so that would be very convenient. Just recently got back into Flyers and really enjoying your videos.
Welcome back to the hobby! The video next week shows one of these I installed.
On my 470- 471- 473 SF PAs there is a switch for the roar but on my 377-378 GP7s I don't see any switch at all since they were returned to me awhile back. I didn't tell you that my 282 you repaired extensively all of a sudden smokes like crazy now. Can you figure that out. My old repairman used to say these trains have Jiggérs or something weird.
1950 was the first PA. Those NP engines are not factory originals since the Northern Pacific was not on the market until 1956.
That roar sounds pretty darn good Austin!
Even without Pul Mor those two engine monsters can pull up to 26 well oiled boxcars!
What is the rating for the capacitor you replaced in the non-power unit for the speaker?
Sorry but it was around two years ago that I did that repair. I do not recall. I did order it from portliness however.
That was an incredible amount of work to get those running again. They run well and sound great. After getting a pair in better condition, I would think about a repaint, possibly in a paint scheme never done by Gilbert.
After this little project I decided if ignorance really was bliss! Bumbling and stumbling along from one surprise to the next certainly helps the time fly by.
You are not alone in suggesting a repaint.
I absolutely love the way these Flyer PA"s seem to effortlessly glide over the rails. A very valuable set in better condition. Unfortunate.
So true.
I have the same engines, (490-492), and mine are arguably in better condition cosmetically. As far as I know, mine are original with the same shell and chassis as built. It also has a horn in the dummy unit along with the roar. The problem with mine is that it runs very slowly. Not sure how to fix that.
In my opinion, you shouldn’t repaint these engines. The NP locomotives are not common and are very desirable. No matter how good the repaint is, it will never be as popular as this livery. There’s an old saying, “It’s only original once.”
Thanks for the comments. I don't plan on doing anything to these. I also now have a full set that is in very nice condition and it runs better than new after being rebushed and having armatures redone.