American Flyer Model 9 Transformer Year of MFG?

[KRM]

Anyone know how to tell what years the American Flyer model 9 transformers were made and how to tell ones date of MFG?

Tks ,

 Kevin

[Sturgeon-Phish]

1946, replaced with the 12B

Jim

[KRM]

Thanks Jim,

 How about a model 1269 75 watt Transformer?

[AF53]

Kevin - 1269? I don't know about Jim but I need more info on that one. Any other markings? I have a 1289 that came with a set from 1926 or 1927 so maybe you can either post a picture of it or describe it with more details.

Ray

[KRM]

Ray,

 I think it is from 1934 but not sure.

Thanks!

 

[AF53]

Kevin - Be patient. I can't help you with this but others with more info can.

Sorry,

Ray

[martinden]

The 9B was apparently also made prewar, but I don't know just what years.

From a message at the S-Train Yahoo group: "There were Pre War transformers that had built in circuit breakers 7B-8B-9B.  The Pre War transformers had the jeweled covers." However, the sender missed the 12B, which was introduced in 1940 (and had a circuit breaker). http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Trains/message/54986

Information on prewar AF transformers seems sketchy, at least based on quickie searching. David Doyle in his Standard Catalog of American Flyer Trains says (p. 319) that since collectors aren't much interested in prewar AF transformers (or track), there's not any real market for them, and thus not much information on them.

A message on the AF Yahoo lists (there seem to be two) might get more definite info -- somebody with a set of prewar catalogs could pretty quickly answer your question.

S-Trains:   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Trains 

AmericanFlyerTrains:   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmericanFlyerTrains

Hope the links work.

-- Martin

[KRM]

Thanks Guys,

My model 9 has a  jeweled lense cover over the light and a built in circuit breaker.

The set i was told was from 1934 but the catalog only shows a 1290 for that year with 75 watts so I still don't know where or when the 1269 was from.

Tks,

 Kev.

[KRM]

I thought I would send a picture of my model 9 it is not a model 9B that is for sure.

[martinden]

I was going to ask "Is it a 9 or a 9B?" but for some reason just let it pass.

The 9B is a two-train transformer (two handles) that looks like a 12B, except that it's not quite as tall. I don't have a picture to post, but there are several 12Bs at eBay. Here's one: http://cgi.ebay.com/AMERICAN-FLYER-LINES-MODEL-12B-TRANSFORMER-TRAINS-NR-/330527577638?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4cf4fa9626.

The model 9 shown above is definitely a prewar item -- strictly guessing, I'd say early-middle 30s (but probably not later than, say, 1938). But I don't claim to be an expert on AF transformers.

Martin

[KRM]

Martin,

Well I am not having much luck yet but sure someone can date these for me. I have sent the question to Greg the Northwoodsflyer if anyone can help I think he is the man.

Thanks,

 kevin

[martinden]

Kevin -- If Greg the Northwoodsflyer doesn't answer it, I'd try the Yahoo groups I linked above -- Yahoo registration is free, and when you join the group(s) -- generally easy and quick -- you can post your question.

Martin

[Laurastom]

The 1269 was made prior to the purchase of AF by A.C. Gilbert. I do not have any pre-Gilbert reference material. The 9 was made after the purchase by Gilbert since the label on the transformer in the photo shows Made by Gilbert. So it was made in 1938 or 1939. It is cataloged in both years. In 1940 the 9 is no longer in the catalog but the 9B is shown.

Tom

[KRM]

Thanks Tom that just leaves me with the 1269 to figure out. I am trying to build a spreadsheet with the information on all of this so I can be sure my kids know what it all is.

[Northwoods Flyer]

Kevin,

I just spent some time going through the American Flyer Catalogs from 1925 (the earliest one I have) through 1941.  The 1269 transformer only appears in the 1936 catalog.  I have to admit, I had no idea there were as many styles of transformer as I discovered.

Your transformer is from the same 2 year period as the cars and engine in your Flyer equipment.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

Greg

[KRM]

Thanks a lot Greg!!

Makes me think everything I have could be 1936 then because I think Dad got the model 9 later than the rest of the stuff but not sure. Did you look to see if there was a set in the 36 catalog that looks like the items I have? I posted pictures of them on your thred. Seems if not it was not a set but a bunch of items put into one group.

Any I knew if anyone could find the 1269 I would be you.

Thanks Kev.

 

[Northwoods Flyer]

Kevin,

Thank You for the kind words.  If you have enough resources on hand to check (and time) you can find just about any information about trains that you are seeking. 

I do think that it is likely that the majority of your equipment comes from the time around 1936.  There is no set listed in the catalog that matches what your dad had in his Flyer equipment, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't a set sold through some outlet other than the catalog.  I think that some very lucky child got some fantastic gifts during that time and was well on his/her way to a railroad empire.  Did your dad say if this was originally given to him, or did it come to him from another owner?  You are very fortunate to have such a nice family heirloom. I enjoy knowing that you will be passing them on at some time to your children as well.

Do you have any photos of the accessory equipment that you list over on the Pre War American Flyer thread?  It would be interesting to know if those items are also from the time around 1936.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

Greg

[KRM]

Greg,

Dad got these from someone else not as a gift. His father passed away when he was 7 and they suffered in the depression. So his passion for trains was something he did for my brother and I once he could after our mom passed in 1959. I don't think he had anything before that time. It was something the three of us could do together.

I will post the accessories if you give me an hour or so. I think some of them are Marx items.

[KRM]

Greg,

Had to go to the woodpile to restock house.

Here are pictures of the accessories.

Don’t know the years on any of this but I am sure it is all Pre-war

I think the red lamp is a # 408 Marx

The Glendale Depot with lights is Marx Don’t know # or year

I think Station house with light is # 104 A.F.

I am not sure on the Green Lamp pole

Crossing with bell I am thinking A.F.

Track;

Right and left hand silver switches. 1 each 31" R

Right and left hand black switches. 1 each 40" R

10" Straight Track Qty 10 Black Tapered Ties

10" Straight Track Qty 11 Black Ties

10" Curved Track Qty 8 Black Tapered Ties 40" R

9.5" Black Crossover

10" Straight Track Qty 4 Silver Tapered Ties

11" Curved Track Qty 12 Silver tapered Ties 31" R

Can you concur years of MFG on the model 9 transformer are 38 and 39?

Thanks again for all of your help!

What do you think?

 Tks Kev.

[Northwoods Flyer]

Kevin,

KRM

 

The green lamp post is American Flyer's 233(B). This version of the double lamp post with the square base is slightly taller than the 233(A) version.  It was cataloged from 1936-1939. I don't think the ringing bell signal is Flyer.  I have seen the post before, but I am going to guess it is a Lionel piece.

I am no help when it comes to Marx.  I have been learning about Marx items on other forums, but I don't know enough about them to be able to comment.  Marx has a charm all its own, and I think you are correct in identifying some of the pieces as Marx.

 

 

This is definitely a #104 Kenilworth station.  The #104 came in two versions.  Yours is an example of one of the later versions from 1936-1939.  It came with either a green, red, or yellow chimney.  I have the same version in its original box with a red chimney.  (BTW  Mersenne6 does a nice job of identifying variations in Flyer stations over on the Pre War American Flyer thread in some of the earlier pages.)

 

 

Your assortment of track looks like it is both Flyer and Marx.

 

 

The black switches and the silver switches with blue housings are both American Flyer.  Those were easy, you can see the "American Flyer Lines" tags on both sets.

 

 I think that the date on the #9 transformer is correct.

 

You have a nice collection of Pre War pieces.

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

Greg

 

[KRM]

Thanks Greg!!!!!!!!!

Maybe some of the others can help on the Marx stuff