Transformer Repair

Try contacting Mr. Vern Trego who is the repair man at English's Model Railroad Supply in Montoursville PA (570-368-2516) and is apparently very knowledgeable about American Flyer.  If he can't help you perhaps he can advise of someone that can.

Good Luck!

or Jim Hill (570-726-6826) who also repairs AF trains.

Instead of getting a old American Flyer transformer repaired, you may wish to purchase a MTH Z-1000 or a Z-4000.

@jim sutter posted:

Instead of getting a old American Flyer transformer repaired, you may wish to purchase a MTH Z-1000 or a Z-4000.

That would be blasphemy for a Flyer owner, though, Jim! 

Thanks Gents; knew i could get a solid direction if I jumped on the forum!

breezinup,

From 1948 until 1982 I was all Gilbert American Flyer "S" Gauge trains. If I could of bought a new MTH transformer back then instead of trying to get a old Flyer

one repaired I would of.

Gee... those old Gilbert transformers are kinda cool. Maybe find a repair guy and also think about a newer unit...?

Mark in Oregon

If it's a model 30B,  it is well worth fixing.  I had a guy in Fl. install new rollers in mine a few years ago.  It looked pretty easy and only took less than an hour.

@boomer0622 posted:

If it's a model 30B,  it is well worth fixing.  I had a guy in Fl. install new rollers in mine a few years ago.  It looked pretty easy and only took less than an hour.

I agree. My 15B needed new rollers and it took me only a bit of time to replace those. Heck, if I can do it, anyone can! 😁

Mark in Oregon

JKK - Please do a future Post indicating how you made out (ie. whether you decided to buy a new transformer or got the existing repaired and, if the latter, WHO you got to fix it) because readers are always interested in hearing and learning from this type of feedback.

Again, good luck and happy railroading!

JKK - you haven't said what you think is wrong with the transformer (and the model) - in general, I would think any of the larger (~100+ W) would be worthwhile getting repaired (depending upon what the problem is, of course).  One strong recommendation I would make is to also replace the power cord to the transformer.  The insulating materials used for those cords is subject to aging (so aren't we all...) - as long as you have the transformer pulled apart, its easy to put in a new cord.  Replacement cords are pretty easy to find - just don't use 'zip-cord' (you need something beefier than that) - I think mine are all 16-2 (16 gauge, 2 conductor) - though if I had to do it over again, I'd go with 3-wire, 3-prong plug sets - or at least the two-prong plugs with the wider neutral prong (polarized).  As long as you pay attention to which side of the transformer primary the hot lead is connected to - and keep it consistent - using the three-prong plug or the two prong, polarized plug will then avoid having to worry about phasing if you have more than one transformer hooked up to your layout.

JKK. What have you decided?

Mark in Oregon

@JKK - Have you made any progress regarding your Transformer Repair?