1935 American Flyer Aeolus!

It runs pretty well after some lube. The reverse unit linkage jambs sometimes.

Is there a good way to clean the aluminum?

@Tinplatetraincrazy posted:

... Is there a good way to clean the aluminum?

I don't know about cleaning aluminum, but I use an automotive product to shine and protect my aluminum passenger cars. The product is called Mothers 05100 Mag & Aluminum Polish. Be careful for the copper railing and the painted area.

Thanks John.  I'll check it out.

Does anyone have a picture or diagram that shows how the rear truck/coupler would be mounted? There is a very small hole on the crossmember. The truck that came with it looks standard.

Heres backend pictures of the aeolus & passenger

Thanks Gary for the great pictures. Is that rear truck only made for this engine, or other items. I really need to find one of those.

At this point. I'm thinking of trying to make an insert for mine. I wonder if a 3d printer could make an insert, then epoxy it into place? I don't have any experience with that, but think it could work. Being the unit is already damaged, I figure it couldn't hurt.  It would be great to make it whole again!

can you send me pictures of the rear underside

Here you go

I noticed it has a cast screw hole on top plus doesn't have the two bumps on each side of the engine compared to others I have seen on the internet.

Side

Wanted to let you know that I have used the Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish on my Aelous engine/tender as well as the passenger cars with no problems, other than that the castings are rougher than the American Flyer Zephyr castings, especially around the cab windows and the boiler walkways. I used many Q-tips in those areas.
     Aeolus cars are few and far between, but they do show up on E bay occasionally. I am currently working on polishing an observation car with the rear light bulb on the back wall. The Mothers polish works well on the cadmium coated tinplate cars, once 80+ years worth of oil and dirt has been removed!
     The polish also works well on the brass window trim and engine railings. I take all that stuff off and do it separately.
       Hope that you are able to get your engine up and running with few problems!
             Ken

Thanks for the pointers Ken. I'm looking forward to cleaning it up.

I'll keep watching for the cars. Hopefully I will be able to afford them. If not, I'm thinking of trying to find a set of the same series cars that need restoration. Maybe use an aluminum colored paint. Won't be exact, but will still be great looking.

I probably have a junk box AF freight car you can steal a truck and coupler from if you’re interested?

I probably have a brass window too.  It should be the same as the O gauge caboose.

Thanks Ives 1122. I have a truck and coupler already lined up.  There is a member making a repair piece for the back! Can't wait!

@Tinplatetraincrazy posted:

Thanks for the pointers Ken. I'm looking forward to cleaning it up.

I'll keep watching for the cars. Hopefully I will be able to afford them. If not, I'm thinking of trying to find a set of the same series cars that need restoration. Maybe use an aluminum colored paint. Won't be exact, but will still be great looking.

There will be a set of the cars in an upcoming Gregory Hake auction. April or May.

Thanks for the heads up Rob.

Good luck with your project

Joe

I will post updates. The repair panel is coming soon.

I have a few more pictures of the engine.ouch..

I want to thank Gary Mack, a forum member, for supplying repair parts for my engine. The parts are freshly made by Gary and his dad. I have installed the weights on the replacement rear truck already and attached it to the engine. It runs great.

As you can see, there is a marching car attached! I found a set on the-bay. They had been restored and never run. The cars were polished up and some of the brasses were replaced. Had to work a few bugs out so they all lit up and rolled well.

The Mother Mag polish worked great.  I will do a little more after final assembly of the repair parts.

Stay tuned...

Quick video.

Another one

I finally finished the engine. It was a little tedious.  I tried not to damage any more of the original body. I put clear tubing spacers on the axles. The originals looked like they would slide around. It tracks really well. It is definitely going to get a lot of use now that it's finished!

I really want to express my thanks to Gary Mack and his dad for their help. Without the parts they fabricated and supplied, it would not have been successful.

Paul, very nice job. Really looks nice.

@Tinplatetraincrazy posted:

I have a few more pictures of the engine.ouch..

I want to thank Gary Mack, a forum member, for supplying repair parts for my engine. The parts are freshly made by Gary and his dad. I have installed the weights on the replacement rear truck already and attached it to the engine. It runs great.

As you can see, there is a marching car attached! I found a set on the-bay. They had been restored and never run. The cars were polished up and some of the brasses were replaced. Had to work a few bugs out so they all lit up and rolled well.

The Mother Mag polish worked great.  I will do a little more after final assembly of the repair parts.

Stay tuned...

Are the passenger cars plated ? I have see these type before but not nearly as perfect as yours.

When I bought them, there were tagged TCA restored. They look like the outside was buffed, possibly replated, but I'm not sure. The insides of the cars are not as shiny. They have new wires and trim. Either way, since the engine is restored, I figured it is a matched and restored set.

@Tinplatetraincrazy posted:

When I bought them, there were tagged TCA restored. They look like the outside was buffed, possibly replated, but I'm not sure. The insides of the cars are not as shiny. They have new wires and trim. Either way, since the engine is restored, I figured it is a matched and restored set.

Well I’m interested in finding some for myself and possibly plating a 260E or 261E

yours has motivated me I really like what you did. Also it’s nice to see how others pitched in.

This set of cars came up right after I found the engine. If you can't find the same, you can get some of the regular flyer cars and plate them.

I'm really happy with how it came out. The members of this forum are the best! Thanks again everybody.