Model Train Journal

I have no experience with the Flyer reverse units. I do (think I) know how the Lionel units work.
I know that both had 2 position units. My interest is in what is sometimes referred to as the 4 position Flyer reverse unit and how it is different from
Lionel's 3 position unit. In affect they do seem to do the same thing. Any help will be appreciated and I thank all in advance.

Roger, I have only ever serviced prewar Flyer reverse units, and my experience is they work very poorly. I suspect you are asking about the postwar units in the S-gauge gear. Check this out, it might be useful:

http://www.portlines.com/portlinesclinic23.htm

To be honest, my success servicing postwar units is a mixed bag as well. Cleaning them is one thing, repairing quite another.

Healey

Healey,
Thank you.
What I really want to know is the difference between the Lionel 3 position and the Flyer 4 position switch.
The Flyer is described as F-N-R-N.
The Lionel as F-N-R.
The Lionel always goes back to N before it returns to F.
Of course these are not the later electronic reverse units.

rogruth wrote:I have no experience with the Flyer reverse units. I do (think I) know how the Lionel units work.
I know that both had 2 position units. My interest is in what is sometimes referred to as the 4 position Flyer reverse unit and how it is different from
Lionel's 3 position unit. In affect they do seem to do the same thing. Any help will be appreciated and I thank all in advance.

You are correct Roger, there is no difference between a 3 position e-unit and a 4 position e-unit. Each has a four position drum that cycles F-N-R-N.

Then why call them different names? Advertising hype. Four sounds like more than three. Four is not a lie, the drums have four positions but the action of the locomotive is only three, forward-stop-reverse. Stop after reverse is not a different action.

hype
/hīp/
noun
extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion.

Wayne,
That is what I thought. I just wanted to hear it from others.