vintageflyer Ok, I'll take a stab at it and say that I think this is on the side of a mechanical locos' tender. From the shield background, I'll say late '20s.
Ok, I'll take a stab at it and say that I think this is on the side of a mechanical locos' tender. From the shield background, I'll say late '20s.
The only part that is right is it is the side of something and late 20's, but it is not a tender.
A green window frame is visible in the photo of the standard variation, I just don't remember what it is
OK, another clue. This is from the same item, not necessarily the same side as the previous photo.
NWL
tinplatacis A green window frame is visible in the photo of the standard variation, I just don't remember what it is
It may be green, but that does not mean it is a window frame.
Nationwidelines tinplatacis A green window frame is visible in the photo of the standard variation, I just don't remember what it is It may be green, but that does not mean it is a window frame.
The window frame is the only thing that makes me think it's a passenger car. Otherwise, I would be inclined to say a station of some sort.
Eureka!
I think that your clues point to a #1097 Electric.
I don't own one but here are some photos I borrowed from Google Images
Wow! That took a lot of time.
NationWideLines,
Now show us some photos of your variations.
Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
Northwoods,
Bingo! You get the prize.
The photos you borrowed are the two versions that I was using images from. First is the green lettered on a white background version. This variation is much harder to find than the more common variation with gold lettering on a black background.
The 1097 engines were most commonly found with the Beacon set of 1929, which included an 1120 coach and 1120 observation. However, the more unusual variation with the green lettering (that is in my collection) came as part of a set with a red 1108 baggage with solid green door, a red 1107 coach with unpunched windows, and red 1107 observaton with unpunched windows.
New Quiz
Not sure if I can make this one any easier. It is almost like it is at the tip of your nose, staring you in the face.
I am going to abstain from this one.
I don't think I could make it any easier. It is like it is staring you in the face!
Omigosh! I can see it from right here in my train room!
Isn't there an urban legend that it first appeared at the Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago at the American Flyer Pavilion?
Too funny NationWideLines.
Did you key into it being from my avatar? ie. staring you in the face?
Wow.
OK, the answer to the last clue was my avatar, which is an advertising globe that was sold to the dealers c. 1929-1930 as part of a display. The displays were comprised of a layout and shelving unit for dealers and were featured in the Dealer Catalogs from that era (I don't recall the exact dates off the top of my head).
Sadly, only a few of the globes seem to have survived. I have never heard of or seen an entire display.
Trivia Quiz #13
This is part of the whole and there is a hole in part.
What is it?
Since this one is a fairly obscure item, I will chime in. It appears to be an American Flyer two-tone whistle.
I am not sure of the exact date when these were produced, as I have never seen them in any sort of advertising and they were not marketed as separate sale items to my knowledge. My best guess is they were produced about 1935-1936 and were included with some sets.
I received one with a 1936 Comet streamline set.
Anyone know who bought this set? I am curious, as I almost had it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141948835608?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649
Well, I thought that this one might take a little longer to figure out. You are spot on NationWideLines. It is an American Flyer Two Tone Train Whistle.
It is fairly clearly marked
I have only seen two of these, both on eBay. I now own one of them. And fortunately it was still in its original envelope.
Quiz 14
Where does this guy appear?
On a box, early 1920's. Probably a large one, such as the one for the Illini set
tinplatacis On a box, early 1920's. Probably a large one, such as the one for the Illini set
Close but no cigar. It is lithographed metal.
Nationwidelines tinplatacis On a box, early 1920's. Probably a large one, such as the one for the Illini set Close but no cigar. It is lithographed metal.
Service Station sign?
Think Accessory!
Hint:
He appears on one version of this accessory and the Milwaukee Road herald appears on the other version.
Northwoods Flyer Hint: He appears on one version of this accessory and the Milwaukee Road herald appears on the other version. Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby Northwoods Flyer
Northwoods guessed it, a flyer bridge, as the other variation does have the Milwaukee Road logo.
More oddballs to add to the list:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Group-of-7-American-Flyer-O-Gauge-Experimental-Freight-Cars-Borden-Cannon-etc-/301668416304?hash=item463cd6bb30:g:CT4AAOSwKrhVXj9s
I have seen those cars in person and I do not put much weight into the story or asking price. They have been for sale at that price for well over a year and are very unlikely to sell for that price.
I'd have to agree with Nationwidelines. I haven't seen the cars in person but from the standpoint of concept/prototype cars that I have seen from other manufacturers they don't make a lot of sense. I would want a clear trail of provenance before considering them to be prototypes.
I may believe a factory employee story, but not any prototypes. The era would of course be the mid thirties.
The prototypes I have seen, are a mix of Flyer parts off the line and hand-made components, whether machined or otherwise hand-made. There was no observed cannibalization of Lionel parts on the prototypes I have seen.
A factory employee making/modifying items for his own use, does not mean they are prototypes.
The cars that are offered are certainly modified to use the 6 wheel trucks and have some Lionel parts on at least the searchlight car, but rather poorly modified and not reflective of prototypes, in my opinion.
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