I have a question about "Flyonel" rolling stock

[stebbycentral]

Just something odd that I noticed, and maybe someone here has an answer.  I have a very few American Flyer by Lionel cars in my collection, as I prefer the OEM variety.  Some of my Flyonel cars have truck sides that match the 1950's Flyer sintered-iron product precisely.  But other Flyonel items have metal side trucks that are much more detailed.  They have perforations where prototype trucks are supposed to, instead of being solid all the way across. Does anyone know when this change occurred.  Because I buy primarily off eBay I don't have a lot of information on when any given car was manufactured. 

[aflyer]

stebbycentral,

I don't have the answer to your question, but can you post the numbers of he cars you have and maybe we can help Identify the years they were manufactured.

I might have  a couple dozen Flyonel cars, mostly the Christmas cars.  But a few random tank, reefer and box cars that I bought either because they were good deals, or remakes of original flyer cars that are expensive.

Aflyer

[stebbycentral]

aflyer

stebbycentral,

I don't have the answer to your question, but can you post the numbers of he cars you have and maybe we can help Identify the years they were manufactured.

I might have  a couple dozen Flyonel cars, mostly the Christmas cars.  But a few random tank, reefer and box cars that I bought either because they were good deals, or remakes of original flyer cars that are expensive.

Aflyer

 

Here is what I'm talking about - the ICG car is # 9712, the NKP is # 48320 which I am assuming is part of a newer product line.

 

 

[LittleTommy]

The newer trucks with the needle point axels and the openings in the side frame (as on the NKP 48320)  were introduced in 1990 and were almost immediately criticized.  Nonetheless, Lionel  has continued with them.  They do roll more freely than the previous design, but are way too big, as is obvious if you put them next to an American Models or S Helper "Flyer compatable" truck.

Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati,

Little Tommy