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Need Help Identifying American Flyer Trains

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  • Member since
    April 2013
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Need Help Identifying American Flyer Trains
Posted by PatW123 on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 8:37 AM

I received some toy train parts from a deceased relative. Sadly I am completely ignorant about them. There about 35 of these all without wheels. What are these parts technically called - train shells? also are these s scale or o scale trains? Post WWII or pre? Any info is greatly appreciated as I would like to know more. 



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Posted by mersenne6 on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 11:53 AM

The photographed item is a side and bottom of a pre war American Flyer standard gauge (Flyer called it Wide Gauge) passenger car. 

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Posted by lionelsoni on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 2:21 PM

Note that standard gauge is larger than either O or S:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Gauge_(toy_trains)

Bob Nelson

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Posted by Northwoods Flyer on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 2:35 PM

Hi PatW123,

Welcome to the forum.

On the bottom of your car you will notice that one of the paper labels says Wide Gauge.  I think that the specific car that you have is the #4252 observation car from a set known as the Lone Scout.  In my opinion it was one of American Flyer's most attractive sets.

This is what the car looks like when it is intact

 
And these are the other cars
 
 
 
And the engine
 
 
What are the other pieces that you have?
 
Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer

The Northwoods Flyer Collection

of

American Flyer Trains

"The Toy For the Boy"

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Posted by PatW123 on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 9:52 AM

Great thanks for the info everyone! I also have these Lionel trains. Are they also considered wide gauge? Pre War?  and do these wheel go with it as well?

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Posted by cmulligan01 on Thursday, May 2, 2013 12:22 PM

Lionel's Standard Gauge is the same as American Flyer's Wide Gauge. American Flyer made Wide Gauge trains from 1925-1932. The track gauge is 2 1/8" compared to O's 1 1/4" and S's 7/8". Lionel made Standard Gauge trains from 1906-1940.

I hope this helps some. The significant of the paper labels I don't know except the American Flyer picture you put up says Chicago. They stopped making Wide Gauge trains before they were sold to A.C. Gilbert and moved to New Haven, CT.

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