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American Flyer Trains and Christmas

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Discussion starter · #221 ·
Thanks, I keep wanting to add more to that display. For example, I have a lot of 60" diameter SHS track that could be used to make a concentric circle outside the 50" one already there. Then I could have two trains circling in opposite directions. I am trying my best to resist that temptation.

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Discussion starter · #224 ·
I appreciate the "encouragement." Here is a picture from a prior year of an expanded loop of track on the floor under the tree. Things quickly get out of hand with sidings and passing tracks if I yield to the temptation.

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#225 ·
AmFlyer said:
I appreciate the "encouragement." Here is a picture from a prior year of an expanded loop of track on the floor under the tree. Things quickly get out of hand with sidings and passing tracks if I yield to the temptation.

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Tom,

Really good looking Christmas layouts!
My problem is between “Uncle Arthur” and one
”store bought” knee, if I get down on the floor, I’m like an elephant trying to get back up again! So it’s not only an issue building the layout, but then also trying to play with it! I actually use a mechanic’s skateboard, on my back, to wire my permanent platform.
But it doesn’t detract from my love of Flyer trains.

Dan
 
Discussion starter · #226 ·
Dan, it sounds like you need a platform with legs under it. I do not enjoy being on that hard limestone floor but I do it to assemble the track. I can run the trains sitting in my lounge chair. An AH101 transformer is visible in one of the pictures. I have the remote control on a 12' tether.
When I made more elaborate holiday layouts like the one below, the structure was made rigid and on runners so it could be easily moved. The track was fastened down, all the accessories located and wiring holes drilled. The layout was then tilted up on edge for wiring. The wiring was not done by laying on my back underneath it. There is a surprising amount of wire under that layout.

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#229 ·
AmFlyer said:
Dan, it sounds like you need a platform with legs under it. I do not enjoy being on that hard limestone floor but I do it to assemble the track. I can run the trains sitting in my lounge chair. An AH101 transformer is visible in one of the pictures. I have the remote control on a 12' tether.
When I made more elaborate holiday layouts like the one below, the structure was made rigid and on runners so it could be easily moved. The track was fastened down, all the accessories located and wiring holes drilled. The layout was then tilted up on edge for wiring. The wiring was not done by laying on my back underneath it. There is a surprising amount of wire under that layout.

View attachment 636573 View attachment 636574
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Tom,
Very nice layout & platform arrangement!
All my platforms have 30” legs. I use the mechanic’s crawler underneath the platform to do wiring.
I like the remote controller idea though.
My platforms are all permanent. None specifically for Christmas except the Dept 56 Dickens Village where I run the Franklin (AC only). Just a simple perimeter loop.
Having my 2nd platform & engines set up for TMCC. Remote will then be solved. Still haven’t tackled the switch/track voltage/ transformer OL condition yet.
Still have several engines (AM Stream lined K4 & GG1) and two Gilbert’s (343 & 21004)to upgrade to TMCC. Hoping for Ed G. to do the work.

Dan
 
#230 ·
That must be a real challenge to upgrade a 21004? Does anything go in the tender or is it all in the engine? I assume you lose the original smoke unit?
 
Discussion starter · #231 · (Edited)
The 21004 would likely be a TMCC only (no sound) upgrade. I have a couple of very small switches that are TMCC only. For Gilbert engines I just run them in conventional with the Legacy handheld. It works fine and costs nothing. The Legacy engines, if any, in the same power district and block just ignore the voltage changes. I make sure there are no other conventional engines in the same power district and block.
 
#232 ·
Yard King said:
That must be a real challenge to upgrade a 21004? Does anything go in the tender or is it all in the engine? I assume you lose the original smoke unit?
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Yard King
I believe Tom is correct. The 21004 will be TMCC only. All electronics in the tender. Keep OEM smoke unit for smoke & “chug” sound. New can motor. 343 gets the “Full Monte”. 21004 will be coal mine “ lokey” pulling coal cars around coal mine branch loop. 343 will be diorama heading MOW work train. (Gilbert Tie car, worker bunk car, worker diner car, crane car & crane tender. Scene with track welder & workers “hefting” train tie). Second branch loop will be coal fired power plant. Third loop is around town where coal & power station workers reside.Main line loop will be general freight & passengers.
 
#235 ·
The 21004/5 uses a later ‘drum commutator’ armature which has the same worm as a standard armature. The short ‘S-n-S‘ can motor will fit in OK. You just won’t be able to use the curved curtain to hide it.
 
#236 ·
Thanks Yard King.
Still lots of work yet. A lot still in my head. Have track layout done & many structures accumulated. No details yet on topography. Somewhat mountainous for mining operations, waterway for power plant cooling towers, somewhat flat for town. All on 8’x12’. We’ll see.
 
Discussion starter · #240 ·
I got out my original 4611A set from Christmas of 1950. It is an interesting uncataloged 1950 department store special set that included a 577 whistling billboard packed in the set box. The 322AC was barely running. It has seen a lot of use and the wiring from the tender was failing. It was time for a new wire harness. Now it runs good once again.
Here is a picture of that 322AC on the layout turntable. It probably has more running hours than all the rest of the engines on the layout added together.

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AmFlyer
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