Roger Carp and a favorite Flyer accessory

[Carl Swanson]

Senior Editor and toy train historian Roger Carp says it's time to face facts: In the postwar era some A.C. Gilbert American Flyer accessories were better than similar products offered by Lionel Corp. Roger presents a Flyer favorite in this episode of Roger's new video series "Professor Carp's Toy Train Emporium." Check out this video and tell us what you think! 

[trestrainfan]

The video is well done from a productions stand point, but, at least for me, I wanted to see the accessory in operation, not just hear Mr. Carp talking about it. Even better, the video should have shown both the American Flyer and the Lionel counterpart accessories in operation for a side by side comparison. Sort of the old adage, a picture, or in this case, a video, is worth a thousand words.

[Firelock76]

Very clever, very well done, but I have to second what the other poster said, I would have loved to see it run.

Assuming it DOES run.

Oh boy, I can hear the Flyer fans lighting their torches and grabbing their pitchforks, I'm outta here!

[AF53]

Very nice and well done. I too, while watching this video, was wondering about the differences it has with Lionel (and Marx if it had one).

Just a suggestion, if you could do a monthly comparison of accessories and perhaps rolling stock and locomotives, between the manufacturers. As a collector of American Flyer, I know little about the others. And while we're at it we might even be able to cover the prewar accessories. This would be much more difficult, but then we could include Bing, Ives as well.

Great idea and thanks! 

[wallyworld]

This is a great addition to the print version of the magazine. As always, Rodger hits the nail on the head with the key points and features of the accessory without a lot of unnecessary verbiage. I look forward to more episodes of Rodger's insights on classics.A powered  demonstration of accessory is preferable, if possible. Five stars. 

[Carl Swanson]

Great suggestions! I would have loved to see it run too. In this instance we borrowed the accessory and we didn't feel comfortable hooking it up and running a vintage piece that didn't belong to us. However, getting footage of an item running is definitely an idea to keep in mind for future episodes. Thanks!

[Texas Pete]

AF 751 in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEQTnH-XKO4

HTH.

Pete

[cwburfle]

Senior Editor and toy train historian Roger Carp says it's time to face facts: In the postwar era some A.C. Gilbert American Flyer accessories were better than similar products offered by Lionel Corp

 

Better? Couldn't you write about an accessory without comparing it to a competing product?
In what way is the American flyer 751 better than either a 364 or 164 log loader?

[LL675]

totally agree, well done, but Roger...quit teasing and show us the two loaders in operiation!

[rtraincollector]

Texas Pete

AF 751 in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEQTnH-XKO4

HTH.

Pete

Pete as soon as it opened up I knew who's that was as have watched jims video before Good show thou

[Dave632]

Have to agree. Works and looks better than any of the early Lionel Log loaders.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Enjoyed both that video and the next one about the prewar set.  Agree with the others about having the accessories operate and showing how the two (AF and Lionel) differed.  Also, would have been nice to see the prewar set being discussed.  Maybe there were some condition issues?  This is a good start to what will be a long series of videos on postwar, prewar and even some modern era accessories.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Joe Hohmann]

I love my old AF Oil Drum Loader, which I use raised up a bit on my "O" layout. It works perfectly. I also have the Lionel re-issue in "O" of the old AF "Mo and Joe" lumber unloading car. That works well, also.  Two of the best "action" accessories, IMO.