American Flyer "0" Gauge #545 Steam

I will preface this with I am an S gauger that has never opened up an O gauge engine. If the reversing unit is similar to the ones used in S gauge with brass fingers and a rotating drum with contacts on it, then the problem may be the same as we have. All the reproduction finger assemblies made for S gauge have brass fingers that are too long, causing the "spoon like" end to not touch the contacts on the drum. We carefully bend the end of the contact back to effectively shorten the the distance from the fiber mount to the contact point. The reverse unit then works properly. It is a very easy fix if the O gauge engines have the same problem as S. Just FYI, Lionel has E units, Gilbert has reversing units.

This is posted in 2 rail O, not the S gauge Forum. I doubt it matters. Looks like it was moved to S.

They are similar to the post war, but one of the fingers is reversed, ie, fingers on opposite side but I can't remember if it is the top or the side set of fingers. The other thing that makes the wiring different than S is that the chassis is ground on these unlike postwar S. This is a diagram from a 561 or 556 but shoul dbe about the same.

Dennis,  We tried your diagram and it still does not operate.  I have another #545 that run perfectly and when I get this one back from New York, I will compare wiring schemes.  My friend in New York (Garry Horan) went buggy trying to fix this thing for me.  Actually wanted me to call a priest for an intervention.....lol.   Thanks for getting back to me...

Gary doesa lot with these too. You may haveto take itall theway apart andcheck everything. These can be challenging at times!

Hi Larry.  If you want to experiment while you're waiting, you can always "hot wire" around the E-unit.  All of these motors are wired in series.  Connect the center rail pickups to one motor brush.  Connect the other motor brush to one side of the field.  Finally, connect the other side of the field to ground (it might be grounded already.)  Then, the loco should run in one direction. If  you change the relationship between the brushes and the field, then it should run in the other direction.  If it fails this test, your problem is in the motor.  If it works, then you know your issue is with the e-unit or wiring.

If you're not a collector and you're tired of messing with the mechanical e-unit, you can even replace it with an electronic one from Dallee, etc.  My $.02.