Need info on train set

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone, I came across this train set that has never been used. If anyone could give me any history on it and what you think it's currently worth? My buddy asked me to help clean out an old house and this is what I found in it. Thanks for your time..

Pete,

[johncpo]

It appears that you have an almost "mint condition" American Flyer set, this is in approximate 1:64 scale which is very popular with the "John Deere" and other die-cast sets in that scale. 1:64 scale is in between 1:48 and 1:87, the first is the approximate scale for Lionel trains and the other HO scale trains. All of which are popular.

American Flyers came out in response to Lionel sets and are considered by some collectors to be more accurate as Lionel is more "toylike" this corresponds to the fact that Lionel was a competator of American Flyer which if memory serves me after 50 years of having grown up with both railroad types at home, Gilbert was the company that manufactured A/F trains. They also had the "Erector Sets and chemistry sets" of long past days.

I will caution you about the paint on these old train sets, they are LEAD based as many toys were back in those days and possible hazards exist. As long as you don't scape off the paint you should be OK. Also, if there are any nicks or dings, do not paint over them, the only way to preserve the value is to keep them in the boxes as box art is very collectable these days. Look on the websites for collectables nad toy pricing as well as Barnes and Noble bookstores which have several books on the subject of collectables as well.

As with any collectable toy, plastic model kits (whew ! if I only keep my old ones) and much more, the prices vary according to the collectability at the time. Some of the catagories are "New", "Good" "Fair" and "Poor" Conditions, I would place yours in at least "Good" just by the photos.

Best of luck in your treasure find!

johncpo

[phillyreading]

Looks like 1951 to 53 as it don't have the knuckle coupler used by A.F. since some time in mid 50's.  Also the caboose is somewhat common but in a certain set can be very valuable to the price of the complete set. 

I have not seen an unopened A.F. set from the 1950's before, the paper was not even taken off the track connecter, very rare!  Instruction books are very valuable to a set, don't seperate them from the set!!

Lee F.

[Anonymous]

Thanks John and Lee for the info on the train set. Now can you tell me if their is a current price book for American flyer trains? Which book is the best to go by?

 

Pete,

[J. Daddy]

Pete,

Very nice set. My Dad and I have been collecting S guage American Flyer for over 40 yrs. I have most all the catalogs, so I will look up tonight. Unfortunately, the "Atlantic" sets are a dime a dozen, but this one being so clean is bound to fetch over $100.00. Greenburgs guide to american flyer is a good start, but the key to the value of this set is the paper work and box. I would try to maintain the seal envelopes and keep the paper work clean. Also the original boxes are key to their value. If you are hot to sell I would take to a train show or list on ebay with a min 50.00 reserve. Otherwise maybe you should run the train at Christmas and display on your fireplace mantle?

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Pete,

When I saw your set my eyes popped!  Very nice.  Actual value by Greenbergs is reliable.  Is the loco a 300?  I think there should be a box car (639?) or a tanker (625) to go with it.  As clean as it is, and as a set, with that much paper, it would go higher than it's individual price outs I'd say. I've seen really clean sets like the one you have go for crazy high bids on ebay.  Good luck.  If you want to sell out right email me at [e-mail]

Jim

[Jumijo]

That is one out of sight find! At this point, after sitting for half a century unrun, I hope you sell it to a collector who will never run it. It's like some kind of pristine, unearthed treasure. Put it up for auction!

Jim

[J. Daddy]

This set came out in 1952. 2nd page of the catalogue. only has the one gondola Texas and Pacific 631 and a bright red 638 caboose non lighted. Have this set at home with the 300 atlantic. Which is the best of the atlantics because it still has the heavy diecast boiler. I would put up for auction or contact a collector, should fetch about 100.00 to 120.00 dollars. Not a highly sought after set, very common but still in great shape should be worth something...

[alexweiihman]

Wow Great find!  I think that you should save it and run it under the x-mas tree insted of selling it.

[Anonymous]

I want to thank everyone's input on this set. I had a few offers and I'm not sure if I want to sell just yet? I forgot to say that I did find some other train related goodies from that house, I will post them later.

 

 

Pete,

[Dave Farquhar]

That's a really nice find. It's not often that you find any train set of that age in such pristine condition. Whether you opt to sell it or keep it, I do hope it will be preserved in that condition. It looks like it could have been made last week!

[phillyreading]

There may be other guides on American Flyer but the one I am familiar with is Greenberg's Price guide for American Flyer.  Also have to remember that American Flyer made O gauge at one time to compete against Lionel, however I think that was before WW2.

Lee F.