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American Flyer 484 caboose restoration

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  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,365 posts
American Flyer 484 caboose restoration
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Friday, April 17, 2009 3:21 PM

I'm sure most of you don't remember me by now (I only made around 2 posts here early last year), but I've been working for a while on restoring an old American Flyer O-gauge trainset. Today, I finished painting and reassembling a 484 caboose!Big Smile


Oooh, shiny.

Other side!

One of the ends.

Smooth and shiny roof.

The light still works, but the old 3rd rail pickup is gone. I used whatever I could find for the new one.

Cool lighting!


Mid November, 2007.

Today! Big Smile That's new track, BTW.

All that's left now is the 480 tanker! Of course, that's the worst one of all, so I've got some work to do.

My restoration isn't nearly as professional as what I'm sure a lot of others have done, but I think it's all turning out pretty well, and I'm happy with it (and I know the engine and tender don't have the proper yellow/silver prewar lettering). My main interest is in HO scale, but I do find these old "toy trains" fascinating, and having a classic set like this looking good and running well again is pretty exciting.Big Smile

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  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Duluth, Minnesota
  • 1,962 posts
Posted by Northwoods Flyer on Friday, April 17, 2009 4:41 PM

Great Job Darth!

The O time frame in which Gilbert produced these items was realtively short.  But they must have been well played with because many of them look like you pieces in the "before" pictures.  The Royal Blue engine always seems to be the piece with the most play marks. Considering that they were pre war and nothing was produced or sold during the war years its no wonder they look well played with.  You have done a very nice job of restoration.  I think you can find the decals to complete the pieces.  I bet you will find that one tinplate O gauge set leads to more aquistions.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

The Northwoods Flyer Collection

of

American Flyer Trains

"The Toy For the Boy"

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