American Flyer Blue Streak questions

[pbjwilson]

Just purchased an American Flyer Blue Streak from the local hobby shop.
Don't have much knowledge on Flyer stuff. I was hoping one of you guys could help me out with some info.
Like, when it was made?
The engine a 2-4-0, whistles intermitantly at a certain voltage. very cool.
The engine does'nt have a # on it - It's black with copper piping.
Tender # is 1121 - cars are all #1122
Construction is very similiar to Marx - Litho tin with tabs and slots.
There are 4 passenger cars in the set, all the same. Was an observation car ever made to go with this set?
Thanks for your help and knowledge!

[Dr.Fu-Manchu]

pbjwilson, The [}:)] Doctor is in !!! The Train in question is Pre-War American Flyer. The loco & tender share the #1121, the cars were numbered #1122 and called "The Blue Streak" The book I am looking at lists the following cars: #1123, (one also is listed in the color "tuscan")
#1124 pullman, and #1147 & #1157. Both are Observation cars. Does not say if they are part of the "Blue Streak" set. Hope this helps. Till My Next Missive, I Remain The Humble, Yet Strangly [}:)] Doctor !!!

[leonardbrand]

Blue Streak yea that me on a cold morning headed toward the bath room

[mersenne6]

The set was manufactured 1936-1937. It consisted of the engine and tender and 4 of the #1122 cars. The set was uncataloged and was offered for sale in sets through wholesalers and retailers. The same car was made in black and red litho with the letterboard "American Flyer Lines" instead of "American Flyer Blue Streak". The red version offered a #1122 postal baggage as well as a #1123 red coach which was identical in stamping to the #1122 coaches of the blue streak. The various wholesaler catalogs that survive only illustrate coaches and baggage cars. My sources do not exclude the possibility of a blue postal baggage car but they also do not list it as being made. None of my references indicate the existence of an observation car.

[pbjwilson]

[8D]Here's some pics. Thanks for the info guys!

[mersenne6]

It looks like your engine is missing the headlight cover. It is a piece of stamped sheet metal that clips in around the opening in the boiler front where the headlight bulb is screwed in. The good news is that reproductions of the cover are available from parts dealers. Other than that, it appears you have a very nice example of the set.