I love this forum, but it seems to be dominated by Lionel guys.
I count Sturgeon-Phish, green97probe, and Timboy as American Flyer guys for sure, plus me. How many others?
Rich
Alton Junction
TimboyHmmmmmmmmmm. I'm supposing that you are not including any "evildoer" who sets American Flyer stuff around on a Lionel layout? Just kidding guys! Notice that I put the word evildoer in quotes. Not calling any evildoer names here. Hey, wait a minute...
Tim,
Wouldn't that dress up the bland Lionel layout a little?
I've got American Flyer stuff, but in Standard Gauge.
I have American Flyer equipment in all gauges that they produced. The largest concentration is in S, then Pre War Narrow Gauge (O gauge), followed by Wide Gauge, and a smattering in 3/16 O and some HO.
Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
American Flyer? Sounds like something made in China...
sulafool American Flyer? Sounds like something made in China...
Oh boy, I smell a Lionel guy here. Keeping your name on the B-list, Sula !
Northwoods Flyer I have American Flyer equipment in Wide Gauge. Northwoods Flyer
I have American Flyer equipment in Wide Gauge.
My bad. I said Standard Gauge but I meant Wide Gauge.
Prewar Flyer - count me in.
Count me in! Grew up in Chicago and still have my AF Royal Blue #350 and was a White Sox fan. Most of my friends had Lionels and were Cubs fans. That was many many years ago! I have American Flyer S & O pre and Post war. I have lived in Texas for 50+ years, there are very few American Flyer folks down here and even fewer White Sox fans!
Put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket! "Mark Twain"
I'm a collector operator of Gilbert HO. Does that count?
Planning a 7 x 11 layout that could be under a '50s Christmas tree
I hang out mainly on the POT 'cause I like the people
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
Banks I'm a collector operator of Gilbert HO. Does that count?
2 points for American Flyer, 1 point for Gilbert HO, 0 points for Lionel.
jcolonbc Count me in! Grew up in Chicago and still have my AF Royal Blue #350 and was a White Sox fan. Most of my friends had Lionels and were Cubs fans. That was many many years ago! I have American Flyer S & O pre and Post war. I have lived in Texas for 50+ years, there are very few American Flyer folks down here and even fewer White Sox fans!
Born and raised at 60th and Artesian, right across the street from the old American Can Co. White Sox rule! Still have my American Flyer #312 steamer.
My son is a Cub fan with no interest in trains. I have taken him out of the will.
richhotrainI love this forum, but it seems to be dominated by Lionel guys.
I've often thought that this is because Flyer's S-scale period was so short, compared to Lionel's O-gauge period.
If Flyer S-scale had been around longer, I think there would be a lot more Flyer collectors around today. It's a pity that the glory days of the toy-train era ended before American Flyer could really eke out a larger market share.
arkadyrichhotrain I love this forum, but it seems to be dominated by Lionel guys. I've often thought that this is because Flyer's S-scale period was so short, compared to Lionel's O-gauge period. If Flyer S-scale had been around longer, I think there would be a lot more Flyer collectors around today. It's a pity that the glory days of the toy-train era ended before American Flyer could really eke out a larger market share.
richhotrain I love this forum, but it seems to be dominated by Lionel guys.
So, arkady, are you AF or Lionel?
richhotrainarkadyrichhotrain I love this forum, but it seems to be dominated by Lionel guys. I've often thought that this is because Flyer's S-scale period was so short, compared to Lionel's O-gauge period. If Flyer S-scale had been around longer, I think there would be a lot more Flyer collectors around today. It's a pity that the glory days of the toy-train era ended before American Flyer could really eke out a larger market share. So, arkady, are you AF or Lionel?
I straddle many worlds. I have just recently started collecting some AF equipment, but I must confess my current "serious" MRR interest is in O-scale narrow guage. Prior to this I have had a full N-scale layout, which I have only recently dismantled, and for a couple of years I also dabbled in G-scale. I gave that one up because there's not much of a season for outdoor model railroading in Iowa.
But if you wonder where my heart truly lies, here is where it all began:
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
Add me to your AF count. I have some pieces from 1950 through 1953 that my parents gave me. They also built a great 5X12 layout complete with paper mache montains, telephone poles with sewing thread wires and hand made trees. Wish I still had the layout as it was back then.
Fast forward to 2005 and I got the trains out again and have a 5X10 without little scenery, but loving running trains and adding to the collection.
I plan to start a new U shaped layout soon, looking for 3 - 4 feet wide and about 22 - 24 feet of of total length.
Happy rails,
George
Isn't "Snoopy" an American Flyer?
When I got out of "HO" and got "into" the larger stuff a few years ago, I did look at American Flyer. Probably because the two-rail track did resemble the "HO" track. My initial impressions were that there were much fewer items at resonable prices available compared to those produced by the three-rail manufacturers. Hence, the choice was to go with the majority.
Here's a question:
Please don't shoot. (Definitely meant to be serious, not contentious)
What drew you to American Flyer and what would you have told me when I was first deciding on my train selection path?
As always, many thanks.
Timboytraindaddy1: My Dad bought us the 355 Baldwin set one year around Xmas time. I was hooked. Truth is, if he had bought us a Lionel set, I would probably still be kissing the 3rd rail and I'm sure that many people wish I would. :) :) :) :) :) -Timboy
Same here. My dad bought me the 312 steamer in 1948 and the 355 Baldwin in 1957. My buddies all had Lionel. The reason for American Flyer is that my dad was an executive at Montgomery Ward, and MW had a agreement with AC Gilbert to feature its products. My father would pick up AF stuff for pennies.
Traindaddy1
A chance comment got me interested in American Flyer. Many years ago I was on my way to a train show with a fellow collector friend. The latest issue of Model Railroader had just come out and there was a short article on old toy trains. One of the items pictured was an S gauge Royal Blue sitting on a piece of obviously Lionel O gauge track. I made the comment that the editors at MR needed to take a closer look at the pictures they were using since "everyone knows that S gauge Flyer can't run on O gauge track." My friend corrected my understanding of what "everyone" knew and I, in turn said, " That is really something. I'll have to try to find one of those." We arrived at the meet and there, on the second table next to the entrance, was a prewar 3/16" AF Royal Blue set - I bought it and there was no turning back.
I have a small AF layout using S-Helper track. I like the early postwar with the link couplers. I think the 4-piece Atlantic engine is a real "sleeper". I also have a K5 and a Hudson. I'm mainly into "O", however.
I'm always amazed at the large amount of nice AF postwar stuff for sale at the many shows around here (including York). I use a postwar AF oil drum loader and AF water tank on my "O" layout.
Timboy, Rich, Mersenne6: Really appreciate your comments. Thanks.
S gauge American Flyer. Gilbert, American Models, SHS and current Lionel Flyer.
Tom
So many choices......so little space.......and then there is the problem that counterfeitting is a federal crime. Wonder if there is a train layout in a recreation room Leavenworth..... I like both, have friends in both, but sadly don't have both.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
RockIsland52 So many choices......so little space.......and then there is the problem that counterfeitting is a federal crime. Wonder if there is a train layout in a recreation room Leavenworth..... I like both, have friends in both, but sadly don't have both. Jack
So, is this a declaration of your undying love and affection for all things American Flyer?
Here is the tally of American Flyer guys so far with expanatory notes:
Sturgeon-Phish - Undeclared Declared
green97probe - Undeclared Declared
Timboy - Undeclared Declared
richhotrain - in spite of the screen name
balidas - American Flyer stuff, but in Standard Gauge. I said Standard Gauge but I meant Wide Gauge.
sulafool - American Flyer? Sounds like something made in China...
mersenne6
jcolonbc
banks - I'm a collector operator of Gilbert HO. Does that count?
arkady - Lionel. But American Flyer made a good product, and one that deserved a better chance than it got.
stebbycentral
aflyer
traindaddy1 - Isn't "Snoopy" an American Flyer?
joehohmann
laurastom
RockIsland52 - counterfeiter
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