Train Restoration Advice

[ICNCU222]

Hello Everybody!

My Dad and I were recently at an antique show and came across a table that a guy was selling a bunch of stuff that he got from an estate sale. The first thing I noticed was the train that is in the attached pictures. I have always been a big collector of the A.C. Gilbert Erector sets and knew that American Flyer was aquired by A.C. Gilbert later on. I was told by the seller that the train was own by the man that the estate sale was for, it was his toy train when he was a kid.

I have done some research online and found out that this train was made between 1930-1933. The official name of the train set was called "The Frontenac" and apparently had a sticker price of $12.75 ($14.00 on the west coast) when new (This information was found on this website). In addition to the train I received several pieces of track, a couple of unusual switch tracks, a couple of train signal accessories and the original transformer which states to"Only Use AC Power."

I am wanting to restore this set and have notice there are a few websites deidcated to replacments parts, paints and the like for restoring old trains. I have no desire to sell this set, so I am not particularly concerned about the value going down simply because I want it to look like what i did in the 1930's and most importantly to run so my son can enjoy it.

 

My major question concerns the color of this set. I have notcied two set so far that were found online to be different shades of green........which one is the right one? Like classic cars, are there specific names to thes colors (ie Sunfire Yellow)? I found a source called Mike'strains and hobbies that had several different A.M. pait colors including several greens! I also need to know what the official colors were for the engine base (It appears to be gray?). The wheel holders on the train car, the lettering and the gold/brass paint on th engine windows.

 

I am sorry for the long winded post, but I am excited to get this puppy restore and running again! I looke forward to anyone's help in this matter.

 

img.php?image=9302881351122102lo.jpgimg.php?image=9302909992122453lo.jpgimg.php?image=9302923853122207lo.jpgimg.php?image=9302948384122404lo.jpgimg.php?image=93031818610122177lo.jpgimg.php?image=930305268712278lo.jpgimg.php?image=3930309448122376lo.jpgimg.php?image=9302975725122227lo.jpg

Thank you,

Brian

[Northwoods Flyer]

Brian,

Welcome to the Forum  .  And welcome to the World of PreWar American Flyer Narrow Gauge trains.

From what I can see in the photos you do indeed have a Frontenac set.  The cars are known as Wide/Low Profile cars and according to Flyer's catalog copy they were designed to be fast. The #3161 Pullman and #3162 Observation are both lighted.

As far as color; the original color of these cars varies from a deep bright green to a blue-green.  The roofs are always a darker green color, which is also mentioned in the catalog description. 

These photos will give you an idea of the variation in colors used.  These are not cars from a Frontenac set however.  The lighter car is an example of the wide/low profile car, the car n the right is a narrower example

 

 

 The colors of the cars in your train look to be original and I have the same color cars in my collection. So either color that you have seen is correct.  You will discover that there are all kinds of opinions about repainting and restoring old trains.  The choice is up to you.  And as long as you are choosing to repaint them its your choice as to what color to use.  I believe that the paints used by American Flyer while it was "Chicago Flyer"  were automobile enamels of the day.  I am not aware of there being a specific color name for any of the greens used on the Wide/Low Profile cars.  If you do buy your paint from a dealer that supplies paints for old trains you might consult with them about the color that would be the closest to original.

Its a nice looking set.  Please ask any questions that come to mind.  Someone on this site will be able to help you.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[cwburfle]

The trains are yours and you should certainly do whatever makes you happiest.
Were they mine, I would just give them a careful cleaning.
As far as colors go: you have plenty of original paint. If you are going to restore (repaint) them, why not match the colors that are there?

Nice set.

[Nationwidelines]

Actually, it looks like your set features green bodies with bluish green roofs.  They would be similar to this car.

 

I am not sure if these color cars were truly the Frontenac set, as the boxed set I have features green sides with darker green roofs, similar to this.

 

 

Flyer also did a two-tone blue, but the cars were unlighted, similar to this

 

 

 

 

Since you are restoring the set, you should pick colors that you like.  In general these sets featured gray trucks and gray engine frames.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nationwidelines]

As far as the journal boxes on the car trucks and the window frames on the cars, they are brass, so simply polish them when restoring the cars.  The engine window frames and decorative covers on the frame are gold paint.  I typically use Testors gold paint and a brush.

 

You also need to find a headlight assembly for the engine roof.  That was a die cast piece that has disintegrated and is missing on your engine.  Reproductions of the headlight holders are available.  I did not look closely at your engine, but the drive wheels often disintegrate/decay also and if they are expanding can cause the wheels to turn hard if they are pressing into the engine frame and can cause the engine to wobble when going down the track.  Reproductions of the wheels are also available.

[ICNCU222]

Hello,

 

I believe that the first car you have there is the color scheme I am looking for and I believe the original color the train was. Could you tell me by any chance what the specific color names were called. I have some leads on paint resources but I don't know specific color names or color numbers.

Thank you

[Nationwidelines]

Sorry, as Northwoods Flyer indicated, there were not specific color names associated with this set.  Even if there were, American Flyer often used their own names such as Rookie Tan or Kahki as opposed to what the true color name would have been. 

I do know from a friend in the automotive painting profession that the colors used by flyer are fairly standard colors that can be matched.

I would suggest you find an automotive paint supply store and take a car in and have the paint matched.