What is your favorite American Flyer locomotive?

My favorite is the Silver GEEP that does not have any couplers, just a bar for the link couplers to hook on to. I think it is a #370

Here is one on EBay: American Flyer 370

T&P Swamp Holly orange Geeps, any numbers, then 326 Hudson and finally any of the real roadname PA's but especially the 484/5/6 SF blue & yellows.

Rich

4-6-6-4 Challenger....(ahhhh you never said Gilbert only)!

Ben 

My #21140, 4-8-4. Have it since I was 11. 

My American Flyer 0-8-0 switcher. I've wanted one for years and finally bought this one a couple of months ago.

322 or 326 NYC Hudson, what a face!:

Regards

Fred

The Polar Express.  For the 3rd straight show I've done with North Penn S Gaugers, the engine has performed excellently. The only problem I experienced was with the American Models Passenger Cars: 1) kept derailing (found wheel had slipped out of socket, 2) keep decoupling - no reason.

First one is my 322.  I have added Pul Mor wheels and Command and it runs and pulls great.  Second up is my 293 which I put a can motor in.  Runs like silk and a good puller also...

Marty

My favorite engine is the 295 4-6-2 steam engine. I think it was made in the 1950's, it has smoke and sound(speaker in the tender).

Lee Fritz

Francine posted:

The Polar Express.  For the 3rd straight show I've done with North Penn S Gaugers, the engine has performed excellently. The only problem I experienced was with the American Models Passenger Cars: 1) kept derailing (found wheel had slipped out of socket, 2) keep decoupling - no reason.

Francine,

The AM cars usually stay coupled very well.  If you're experiencing unwanted uncoupling, check the height of the little "weight" that uncouples them (it isn't a weight, but on Gilbert couplers it is).  It must be above the rail head while the coupler is closed, or it will strike the guard rail or closure rail of a turnout, or any obstruction between the rails such as at a crossing.  I had the same problem with some of mine until I looked at the coupler height carefully.  The solution is to remove the coupler and give it a hard upward bend.  They are made of Delrin type plastic, which is a tough, but flexible plastic which can be bent a bit without breaking while retaining some of the bend.  But duon't bend the coupler near the head, but rather on the shank of the assembly.  You only need about a 1/32" of clearance to allow them to pass over anything between the rails.  If you happen to break one, they're available from American Models, or I can send you one (gratis) if you take my advice and break it.  Since "fixing" any offending coupler, I've had no problems with unwanted uncoupling.  Good luck, and let us know if this helps!

And to answer the question posed in the title heading, my favorite engine is the Gilbert Hudson.  But asking such a question is like asking who is your favorite child!  As far as the Flyonel line goes, they all rank very low in my opinion.  The only ones that still run on my layout are the simple Geeps and EP5's without TMCC or Legacy, which only add to the cost and complexity while giving me nothing in return.  With Gilbert items, I have been able to get even some of the most neglected items to run as good as new, even get stubborn reverse and smoke units.  Getting electrical contacts, relays and cams to function is easy.  Fixing an integrated circuit isn't.  Parts are available for the mechanical stuff, not so much the electronic. 

Four piece die cast 302. They sure did a nice job on the starter locomotive in those days.

Couple a string of green New Haven passenger cars on it and you have a very nice train.

Recently acquired my first S gauge set from a fellow forum member, I am very happy with my 293 steam engine. Even though I am O gauge first, I must admit, S gauge is the perfect size.

Hands down, any of the PAs.  I have some from Gilbert and some from Lionel and they all run great and look fantastic.  My favorite, favorite is the Missouri Pacific Eagle set.  I have all of the cars plus some duplicates allowing me to run a 12 car train!  Really looks great snaking its way around the layout.

Rolland

I'll go for the Hudson, which first got me eyeballing American Flyer.

However, I will admit a liking for the four-piece boiler Atlantic with the valve gear. I have a basket case in a box with a geared can motor a la Carl Tuveson waiting for it. 

Hudson. Gilbert made a great looking model.

Hi Jerry,

People at the show said to do the same thing (bend the coupler up).  I did, but it didn't make a difference, do you have to take the truck off the shell to bend it?

And I guess I should have said the New Berkshire, definitely trying to get another one.

Francine

The best way is to the tool used to bend the Kadee coupler hook.  You need to bend or curl the hanging piece , can also be done with small needle nose pliers .

     Bob G.

EP-5 in various flavors:

Rusty

My original 1948 #312 keeps going and is a great engine.