I have four American Flyer HO NYC Hudsons. One of which I got in a set in the '50's and still runs on DCC with a decoder. It came with four cars, a 50' piggyback flat that no longer has the trailer and now carries a pipe load, a CNW reefer, a gulf tank car and a NYC caboose. All of them still run and I use them on my clubs HO layouts. All have sprung trucks. The reefer and the caboose don't have much detail.
The three other hudsons are in various stages of repair and I bought them on ebay. One of them has an AC motor and reversing relay.
The rest of my rolling stock consists of many Mantua (Tyco) cars and a couple of locos.
Mark - I think many would agree with you about the items you and you dad bought in the early sixties. Probably the biggest mistake made by American Flyer and Lionel was to "cheapen" thier product in the sixties. We understand why they did it but, "Monday morning quarterbacking" is always easy. I understand that the early HO made by Flyer was built much better and stonger like its counterpart S gauge from the 1940's and 1950's.
Ray
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
AF53 CTValleyRR - Hi, I think when Rich made that comment he was probably just frustrated with a problem he had and wasn't getting anywhere with it. I don't believe anyone who posts on a thread or even starts one, as I did with this one, feels they're owed a response or answer. I agree with you about not responding to a topic without knowledge of the subect, it's only human nature. Ray
CTValleyRR - Hi, I think when Rich made that comment he was probably just frustrated with a problem he had and wasn't getting anywhere with it. I don't believe anyone who posts on a thread or even starts one, as I did with this one, feels they're owed a response or answer. I agree with you about not responding to a topic without knowledge of the subect, it's only human nature.
I don't disagree with you. That's why I said "I hope you don't..." Probably just an unfortunate choice of words on his part. Happens all the time on forums.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Train Modeler ONe thing that has been a little surprising to me on this forum is that there's usually around 50 to100 online at one time. I don't know what the active membership is, but I'm still waiting for an answer on UP horns.
ONe thing that has been a little surprising to me on this forum is that there's usually around 50 to100 online at one time. I don't know what the active membership is, but I'm still waiting for an answer on UP horns.
Kind of an interesting outlook here.,... I hope you're not implying that anyone owes you an answer. A forum is a discussion topic, just that, and no more. When you start a thread, it's like walking into a room and saying, "So, how about those Yankees?" Sure, a couple people might get into a discussion, some might want to argue with you, and some might ignore you. Same way here, although we're usually a little more civilized.
Bottom line is that people will respond to topics that interest them, or that they have knowledge about. Personally, I haven't responded to anything on this thread because I know nothing about American Flyer and less about UP horns. Want advice on scenery, model building, or layout design and I'll be a little more forthcoming.
John - Excuse me? Come again.
And what did Tonto say to the Lone Ranger when he found out he was getting a Lionel for Christmas?
Train forum who???
HA HA HA HA Sometimes I kill myself!!!!
Mark
RMR
AF53 Hi guys, I love trains like most all of you on this forum.
Hi guys, I love trains like most all of you on this forum.
Wait, this is a train forum???
Hmmm... that might explain a few things...
John
Part of a sizable donation to the model RR group at Boothbay this year included a pair of Gilbert American Flyer passenger cars, similar to the design Rapido brought out last year, but shortie design. These 2 green cars had the trucks replaced by some old Central Valley trucks and had Kadee couplers installed. (I can hear the collectors screeming now ). They sold quickly at the Springfield show.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Train Modeler ..................................but I'm still waiting for an answer on UP horns.
..................................but I'm still waiting for an answer on UP horns.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
My Dad and I bought a fellow out back in the early 1960s and he had a couple of the hudsons and the pennsy switcher. We lubed them up and tried to run them but they were a joke, noisy, no pulling power, and drew a lot of current even by the standards of that time. So they went in a drawer until not to many years ago when a fellow I knew told me he was looking for these things, he now has 3 more added to his collection and he's a lot prouder of them then I ever was.
They may be collectable to some but to me they'll always be "boat anchors" for a very small boat.
If you go to the literature tab of the web site hoseeker.net and select the manufacturer "Gilbert" you can see the catalogs for American Flyer HO. http://www.hoseeker.net/gilbertmiscellaneous.html They are a fun read.
The mass produced models of the 50's really don't compare to what is available today in running ability or detail, which is why there's not much use of them today, but you will find them on display.
What's also fun is to run the prices through an inflation calculator and find that a starter set with a locomotive, a few cars, circle of track and a power pack cost 300-400 dollars in today's greenbacks.
George V.
I have an American Flyer HO NYC Hudson loco which my Dad bought for me in about 1954. But I keep it in a display case and don't run it on the layout.
It ran fine when I tested it after about 45 years of storage, but smelled like something was burning. Maybe just dust, but to be safe I wanted to oil and lube it. Someone sent me instructions, but unfortunately I misplaced them before using them. Since I'm now building an 0n30 layout, I guess the Hudson will stay on the shelf for a while.
- Harry
Fred - Thanks for your response. I guess your right. Maybe I was only hoping that some of the guys here who use HO scaled trains for thier layout might have incorporated some classic old American Flyer HO trains. I believe HO was first developed in the 1930's and American Flyer introduced them in 1938.
But, again, thanks for your info.
Most of the active posters will shy away from topics they don't know much about - direct experience is preferred rather than 3rd or 4th party hearsay - rather than give misleading or wrong information. I know I do.
American Flyer HO - I've seen pictures, but I've never owned any. The Classic Toy Trains forum on this site may have guys who have more direct experience.
A UP horn? I'm a steam guy from a different era. I barely keep up with some of the differences between 1st and 2nd gen diesels. But there are those who do.
So of the maybe 500 who monitor and post somewhat regularly, there just may not always be the answer you want. Especially if you need an answer right now. Searches on the forum, other forums, and with Google or Bing may get what you want faster.
Fred W
....modeling foggy coastal Oregon, where it's always 1900....
Anyone else???? Someone has to have some!
Could it be that anyone that does have some just aren't into modelling, just running them?
No America Flyer here. Wish I could check one out.
You know, It seems like I have had at least one model of everything, but that is one thing I have to say I have not. I had some Lionel HO but never Flyer. All my Flyer equipment was/is S scale.
Hi guys, I love trains like most all of you on this forum. I've been running and enjoying them since I was a child (I'm now 53) with my dad and now with my son and daughters. I'm usually on the Classic Toy Train side but every now and the check out the Model Railroader side. I never got into the detailing like from what I read about here and most are GREAT. Over the years I've inherited, received as gifts or purchased scales of Bachmann N, Lionel HO, Lionel and Marx O, American Flyer O, from the 1920's, American Flyer S and finally Bachmann G. Quite a variety!
Just a general question for anyone who wants to respond, hoping most will. How many, if any, are useing in their layouts American Flyer HO scale trains?
Again, there might be none, I have know idea, but just thought I might ask.
Thanks for responding,