wiring diagram for american flyer e unit S gauge and O

Roy - you don't specify which Flyer loco you need the wring diagram for - but if you look here at Chuck Harrington's terrific site, you'll find most of them. 

http://myflyertrains.org/gallery/GilbertFactoryManual

Some of them are a bit inscrutable, but if you go back and forth between the real e-unit and the drawing, it should be clear.

Not to be nerdy nor Mr. Know-it-all, but American Flyer uses Reverse Units, lion** uses E-units. I know, it's an almost universally used name, but it's still not correct!   The prewar units use a slightly different finger setup, I don't know what else might be different too.  The postwar ones use the same fingers and the main difference between the boiler ones and the tender ones (we are talking about the common 4-step unit, and not the 4-step unit used in the cab of the 0-8-0 engines nor the later 2-step reverse unit) is the mounting lugs and the lockout lever, drums pawls, fingers are all identical in the post-war versions, AFAIK.

Tell me something new just need any wire diagram.

Rich thanks much.  Roy

That's a great diagram Carl! shows all the "common" variations--although not noted, sometimes the plug wires are inverted (different workers on the line?).

Carl thank you so much for the wiring diagram I also have a Ogauge flyer with a strange reverse unit having problems with it any suggestions?  will add pictures as I do not even know what number or year?

O is like this....

those prewar units are tough.  The wires are very stiff and can easily flex the finger away from drum contact.  1st make sure you clean the fingers and drum and then make sure they are installed correctly and sequence each time properly.  You should also check those wires, they are notorious for looking good on the outside cloth insulation  but dissentigrating on the inner plastic  part and then shorting through the cloth where they pass tight corners etc.  This one provided an immense amount of fun......

here is a video showing the reverse unit working although it is the RDC version but you can see the action either way. This is from an 806 prewar 4-8-4 loco.

pictures look great I have problems with the drum to cycle. High track voltage helps. This engine still do not know numbers is in excellent condition as is tender I would dearly like to have it work as it should. problem is the actuating arm stays stuck in. I put a piece of tap wear it contact the metal helped me to use it at all. I may try a small piece of foam. I am worn out at this time to go into it again. You interest in repairing. as it would be better to send complete eng? I have done probably 50 Lionel reverse units no issue. Tender mounts AF no issue. This one I am totally out of my space. Thanks again ROY

Carl Tuveson posted:

Thank you, Carl, for posting this back in April. These wiring diagrams are very helpful. I have an AF NY Central # 312 Steamer with a reverse unit problem. Arnold

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Thank you, Carl, for posting this back in April. These wiring diagrams are very helpful. I have an AF NY Central # 312 Steamer with a reverse unit problem. Arnold

FWIW, the #312 is actually the PRR Pacific although the wiring for it and the NYC Hudson are probably the same. In any case, those are great diagrams. 

I think I prefer the earlier set up with the reverse unit in the engine; 2 wires from the tender looks better (to me) than 4...

Mark in Oregon

Strummer posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Thank you, Carl, for posting this back in April. These wiring diagrams are very helpful. I have an AF NY Central # 312 Steamer with a reverse unit problem. Arnold

FWIW, the #312 is actually the PRR Pacific although the wiring for it and the NYC Hudson are probably the same. In any case, those are great diagrams. 

I think I prefer the earlier set up with the reverse unit in the engine; 2 wires from the tender looks better (to me) than 4...

Mark in Oregon

Mark, In apologize, I got my numbers mixed up. My AF postwar steamer with the reverse unit problem is #322, not #312.

I also have #312, and that steamer is running just fine.  Arnold 

Good grief, no need to apologize. I figured you meant "322"...

These old Flyer models, very much like their Lionel counterparts, are pretty much "bulletproof" and are easy to work on. Good luck with yours...

Mark in Oregon 

I want to thank all of you for the help on the AF. It still sits on the shelf. As I have many other projects. I could probably rebuild the reversing unit but I really do not know what it needs or adjustments if any. I do have a couple of questions. First anybody know model number (road number) and possibly approx year.  Pictures are above.  Tender Just for info, looks new. many times I have looked on this forum and have received much needed help. Thank you again Roy O Forgot question 2 anybody interested in rebuilding reverse unit for me if I remove it? Just E mail me.   Many discussions of who was the first with E unit AF or Lionel. I have heard Lionel filed a lawsuit against AF and some of the cause for its failure? 

Lionel and American Flyer jointly bought what was left of Ives when Ives went out of business. Both L and AF wanted the Ives reversing unit and both modified that design to make it their own.