American Flyer The Comet From the 30's

[Michelle96]

Hi all. I am new here to the forum and need some help/advice. In the process of cleaning out my grandmother's house, my husband and I found my grandfather's train that was his as a kid. From what we can find online it is a pre-war tin American Flyer The Comet from 1932-1937ish? It needs some love. It was not stored properly and was in her basement in Boston. It has some rust issues, some wheels with that don't have a car to attach to, and I think the motor is seized because it does not turn freely. In the box were quite a few pieces of track which does not look healthy, 2 transformers, neither of which were American Flyer, and only one works. It has a clip to attach to track, but the wires are cloth and I am not wanting to get electrocuted anytime soon. We are wondering if it is worth trying to fix or just sell it as it is. I don't even know if parts are still available to fix it. I am afraid to even try to clean it up for fear that the paint is going to come off. We both had race tracks as kids, but know nothing about trains. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

[rrlineman]

hello there and welcome. Flyers pre-war streamline tinplate trains were mostly lithographed. ( painted with stamped paint details)

if they are really rusty they aren't worth much, just parts. if you're inclined to run them, a good cleaning and servicing can do wonders. the motor has probably seized due to old grease and some rust on the gears.. that's where a good cleaning and servicing comes in. as for the rust, if it has eaten a lot of the metal away don't waste your time. If it just surface rust a light sanding a paint of your choice will make it look decent.

don't worry about the wires the voltage is only 7-15 volts to run the trains. if the 1 working transformer has a cloth lead-in cord , it should be replaced. if the track is rusty just toss it in the trash. you can by new and used track and any good hobby shop or train show.

hope this helps.

[Northwoods Flyer]

Hi Michelle96,

Let me add my to the Forum.

I assume this is what your Comet looks like.

 

 

 

In the world of train collecting the condition of a piece plays a very large part in determining how desireable it is. From your description it sounds as if your train has some condition issues.  I agree with what rrlineman has posted.  You could probably find someone to repair the engine and get it running again.  You could probably go on eBay and find replacement parts for what is too badly damaged.  The Comet shows up occasionally, sometimes individual cars or the powered head car or dummy tail car will also show up individually.  It depends on how much you want to invest, or if you want to keep the train.

 

There is also a component of nostalgia and history that is connected with your piece.  Have you considered keeping the train and passing it on to someone who would like a remembrance of your grandparents?  I always like to know the history of a piece in my collection if I can possibly learn it.  The majority of the time I don't have the opportunity to learn it, but each and every one of these trains was a child's play thing at one time and I bet it brought a lot of fun and joy to the child that owned it.  The pieces that I have in my collection that have been handed down through the family are the ones that I treasure the most because they provide a tangible link to someone in the family.  Even though the person is gone, the trains are a reminder of them and the time we played together.

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[AF53]

Hi Michelle96, and !

Northwoods said it perfectly. A train from an older relative can bring back many memories from someone who may not be around anymore. Most motors can be repaired or rebuilt and as for the body, that may be a different story. The track and transformers are easily replaceable.

Would it be posible to post some pictures?

Good luck with your decision.

[Michelle96]

Thanks for the welcome and the info. Yes Northwoods thats what mine looks like. Except a little rougher and there are no bulbs in the cars. I can post some pictures in a few days when I get back into town. We don't know much history about my grandfather playing with train. My grandmother never said anything about it. We found it in the basement long forgotten. I wonder if my grandmother even knew that it was down there. Unfortunately there isn't any emotional attachment to it. He died when I was very young and my only memories are pictures of the two of us together.

[AF53]

Michelle96 - When you mentioned that "I wonder if my grandmother even knew that it was down there" it made me laugh! It seems that for generations husbands have been "sneaking" toy trains into the house.

Looking forward to seeing the pics, enjoy.