american flyer questions

[Anonymous]

hello, I have a steam engine made by american flyer, the number on the front is k335. there are also a few other cars, a log car and a crane car number 944. I have no idea if they work since i dont have any 2 rail track to test it on. Anyone have any idea if this may have been a set and what it may be valued at?

John

[Anonymous]

Well, the K335 steamer is a 4-8-4 northern made in 1952 and the Greenberg guide says it's worth $130 in good condition and $415 in excellent condition. It lists the 944 crane as being worth $22 in good condition and $80 in excellent condition. As you can see, when it comes to value, condition is everything. It's external condition that's important-whether or not it runs doesn't make that big of a difference in value. As to whether or not it's an original set and the values of the other cars, the numbers of the other cars will be needed.

[tdetmer]

John,

In addition to the preceding comment, I know that there is a book available that lists the various sets that AF produced. Even so, keep in mind that there are always the odd sets that got sold because of special sales and so forth that may mean the book would not always include every set that was sold. Anyway, you might look for that book as a reference to check on the listing of the pieces you have to see if they are part of a set or not. An S gauge train club member in your area or even on this forum may have access to that book. For nearby train clubs, check the National Association of S Gaugers website (NASG).

Tom

[Poppa_Zit]

I have the resources. Just need the car numbers, pictures would also help.

[Anonymous]

well there is an engine with k335 on it. the tender has a union pacific logo on it. one of the cars is pa 9952 on the bottom road number 945, it just says american flyer on the side. one has c b &o with numbers 719 on the side. its red with a side that opens. one has pa9986 on the bottom, texas and pacific on the side road number 931. and a crane car 944. I hope any of this helps. Thanks,

John

[Poppa_Zit]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainmaster7209

well there is an engine with k335 on it. the tender has a union pacific logo on it. one of the cars is pa 9952 on the bottom road number 945, it just says american flyer on the side. one has c b &o with numbers 719 on the side. its red with a side that opens. one has pa9986 on the bottom, texas and pacific on the side road number 931. and a crane car 944. I hope any of this helps. Thanks,

John

Sounds like set No. K5210, which came with the K335 Northern locomotive and tender, 928 C&NW flat car w/no load, 931 T&P gondola, 944 crane and 945 work caboose. Not extremely rare, but not common. (about 6 on a scale of 1 to 10).

Some of the sets (made in 1952) substituted the 719 CB&Q dump car for the 928, as in your case.

This was the first knuckle-coupler 4-8-4 Gilbert made.

To get top dollar, you'll first need to have the original set box, the individual car boxes plus the corrugated, stamped engine wrap in excellent condition (no tears, all end flaps attached, no smashes).

Then the cars and locomotive must have no big scratches, no dents, no rust, no playwear, no broken steps, with all original parts intact including paperwork, instructional manual, transformer and box of track. If all is there, you might get about $900 to $925. Most important is the condition of the locomotive and tender. The cars are all fairly common.

Only a seasoned collector can give you a truly accurate appraisal, and that only after seeing it all in person.

In average (played-with) condition with no original boxes, maybe $350 to $400. Maybe.

In poor (beat-up) condition, with no original boxes, maybe $125 to $150. Maybe.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

cool yeah thanks. They are in the played with state as you put it with no boxes. I am not sure if will run as I have no way to test it but I really do not see why not. The engine is in good shape other than dust. Thanks for the help......
John

[Anonymous]