New to S - what do I do now?

Am a little confused - Did you "just receive these trains from your Father" ?

Here are my suggestions...

1. Determine how much space you are willing to provide for your layout (4X8 feet for example).

2. Lots of free material and advice on the internet, give yourself time for exploring (You Tube has a great selection of videos).

3. This forum has multiple experts, enjoy their input and have fun building your layout.

I just received them from my father.  We moved him to an assisted living facility and I was given these trains that were sitting in the attic for many years.  Probably the last time they were run was 12 years ago. 

I have approximately 5 x9 for now , although I could take much more space as I have an entire basement.  I just dont want to take on more than I can chew and get frustrated.

Hello KBOFHP ( Scott) I hope will have a lot of fun building your American Flyer 4x8 layout in s scale. I also have American Flyer trains to play with on a small layout. They run great too I think you will enjoy them too very much too. I just love small layouts too. I also run my Marx trains on a small layout as well I have 2 small layouts one for Marx trains and the other for American Flyer trains. I really enjoy running my trains it is very relaxing and also fun too. Thanks longbow57ca.

I dont count myself amomg the experts, but I have found the old AF manuals to be very informative.  Try this one:  http://americanflyerexpress.co...ruction%20Manual.pdf 

In my limited experience, American Flyer "S" gauge trains that have been stored for a long time will need to have the track and the wheels that pick up power cleaned thoroughly in order for them to run properly.
The locomotive motors and reversing mechanism are likely to need cleaning and lubrication. The cars will need lubrication too.

When lubricating your trains, don't overdo it.

Enjoy your trains!

Check out the original 4x8 HO plan at the centre of this Ed Vondrak plan. I don't know if it's all do-able with AF track geometry, but it offers the kind of operation you might like in close to a 5 x 9 in S gauge. The original stand-alone layout had a locomotive spur at the bottom, plus there's a passing loop. The loop allows you to switch the sidings and accessories while having another train run on the outside main line. 

http://www.wymann.info/Shuntin...hics/Vondrak-TPI.jpg

I agree with Firewood, start small, get some trains up and running so you can enjoy them. Then you can plan an expansion and add on from there. You can also do your expansion in stages. I am doing the same thing with my O gauge layout.

Also a request for help in the Track/Layout Planning forum might get you some help with your specific plan. There are some pretty good track planners there that like to draw up track plans. You will need to tell them the size and what you are wanting to do with your trains and they will probably give you some options to use.

basic layouts from Thor Sheil's webpage, and there is much more there:

http://thortrains.net/sgauge/splan48a.htm

http://thortrains.net/flyrlay1.htm

I have been looking through those websites and trying my own versions of various designs.  Some work out well - others fail miserably.  Here are a couple of ideas that I am considering.  Some use all AF track, and other use mostly AM track.  I find the MTH and AF track to be similar in size.  I have also noticed that there are some S gauge turnouts in various radii from different sources that the standard 54 or 40".  Mostly available from Trout Creak:

http://www.troutcreekeng.com/bks.html

I need to figure out how to make templates to bring into SCARM - but that is another discussion.

I think your plans have more turnouts crammed into a small space than they should! You should start with a simple oval until you see how this early Flyer equipment operates.

The early Flyer engines do not lend them selves to switching operations as you will discover!

Start small and enjoy

Gunny

You found SCARM, thats great. I agree with getting a loop down to test and tune what your trains can do first. Especially before committing to so many switches, unless on hand already, and also before commiting to a graded line (are they under 2%?) See what kind of grade your worst engines can handle with a good long  load. While exploring the equipment (again), SCARM will keep you busy, lol.

If you find operations iffy for tons of switching, a pull through ladder yard would give easier storage and retrieval of whole trains by even a single loco.(top edge of firewoods example. An in&out on each yard track, "stacked"

Oil is love for trains; love your trains. Brushes should be checked right off too. And asap, worm gears cleaned of old greases and replaced with fresh, improved, modern grease (like Red & Tacky by Lucas) If the grease is dry, you can do ten years of running wear in a single night.

Look into reversing loops too. An HO type relay set up would be needed but you don't need to rerail everything just to change directions.

That is a good idea - using a simple loop to verify operation of equipment and operation.  Also a good way to verify operation of accessories and verify wiring works (and the other stuff too).

I will do that.  I have a nice wide oval for a ping pong table......

Regarding getting the engines up and running, I received a lot of advice from folks but also found the following very helpful:

- http://aftrainmaster.com/repair.htm

- Tom Barker's operating and repair guide available on amazon

- YouTube videos by Barker and others

8 months ago, I had never even owned an ACG loco. Now I have purchased a few and have performed a number of maintenance tasks and repairs.  Of course there's been lots of trial and error in my learning, but I had much guidance from an expert I met on the yahoo s group and from these sources listed above.