American Flyer 302AC Question

I have a 300, and its DC.  I would assume that you could run the 300 AC on an AC transformer.  I know someone who runs their flyer layout on MTH Z-4000's.

Diok S posted:

Our local club was given several boxes of old trains, including some Flyer.  There is one loco, a reading 302AC 4-4-2.  I am sorting out the whole mess but know nothing about Flyer.  Can I assume that the loco runs on AC power and can be tested on Flyer track using my workshop Lionel LW transformer?  Thanks for any help.

Your 302AC will run on just about any AC transformer.  The Atlantics were powered by a "universal" motor.  That is, it will run on either AC or DC.  If any Flyer locomotive has a "DC" after the number, then it's run on DC only.  They were the entry level locomotive of the time and were usually very robust.  Like the post war Lionel ones, a bit of cleaning and lubrication will usually bring them back to life. 

To check if your locomotive is truly a DC only one, turn it over and look at the motor.  If there is a coil on the field, it's an AC motor.  If the field has no wires going to it, it has a permanent magnet for the field and is a DC motor. 

Thank you!!!!

As far as I know, there are no DC Atlantics that left the Gilbert factory that way.   With that said, I too, have a 300 that appears to have a DC motor in it.   I suspect that it was a donor in AC to DC surgery performed on either an 0-8-0 or a Northern as those are the only DC locomotives I am aware of.  Also, I might add that the lack of "DC" on the side of the cab doesn't necessarily mean it is AC.  To make sure, Jerry's field coil inspection process is the only sure way to go.   DC motors are supposed to have a "keeper" held on magnetically over the exposed armature to preserve the magnetic field and prevent the lodging of unwanted metal particles from the track in the armature area, but those are frequently missing.  

While the fields are noticeably different, the armatures are also different on AC and DC models, so if you switch out a DC motor for AC, be sure you also take the AC armature with it.

Dale Smith