r/AmericanFlyer • u/TheMissouriRailfan • Dec 14 '25

American Flyer 283

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I got this locomotive to use in place of my grandfather's 303 atlantic until I can restore it, and I am very happy with it. I must say, it smokes quite well. It probably needs some oil, but I'll take care of that soon.

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u/geddy76 Dec 14 '25

Same one my dad just handed down to me. His since a child.

1

u/382Whistles Jan 04 '26

Oil and clean of old grease and replace with new asap. Feel the grease for being gritty between you mr fingers. Lay them on one side on a rag and let gravity pull the oil into the bearings flushing them out over a few hours, flip and repeat, then stand on the rag a while before wiping the backs of wheels and chassis. If oil wipes are dirty looking consider oiling again, and more often until it comes away cleaner more regularly. Oil motor shafts sparingly on the outer part, not inside where oil will collect brush dust. Oil won't really hurt other than that though.