Reply to "Postwar American Flyer 336 Northern wiring"

I have the same 336, and the engine would start moving before the e-unit would cycle.  So I placed a bridge rectifier in series just before the motor.  Now, since the motor requires 1.5 volts more to start, the engine does not jump before the e-unit cycles.  Also, a side benefit is that the smoke unit output puffs more, and the headlight shines brighter.