The Northwoods Flyer Collection has a display at the Merrill Historical Society for the Christmas season. (Merrill Wisconsin is about 11 miles north of me.) I have done it for the last few years and it has become a tradition for them. Its a pretty simple set up but folks seem to enjoy it. One of the local TV stations did a story on their "Collectors Christmas" exhibits. The trains got an entire 2.5 minute segment. The fellow hosting the trains is a good friend and train buddy.
This is a photo from the day I set it up.
I will try to post a link to the video. (I have limited skills; this is the best I could do.)
http://www.wsaw.com/content/news/YOUR-TOWN-MERRILL-Historical-Societys-holiday-exhibit-406291455.html
The trains are in Part 2.
Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
One item off the bucket list.
For several years I have been working on getting a complete set of each color of the sheet-metal streamlined passenger cars that American Flyer cataloged from 1936 through 1940. There are some variations within some of the colors, but so far I am happy to have even one of the variations.
With the help of NationWideLines I was able to get the final color that I have been looking for; the two tone blue streamlined cars. (Thank You sir.) It has taken me a while to find the correct engine to go with the cars, but I finally snagged one.
The trucks each have six wheels so that makes these cars very likely to be from Set #315 from 1939. The cars from 1938 had 4 wheel trucks and white belly pans. (Someday I will add a set of the 4 wheel truck cars to the collection too. )
This is the 1621-6B coach (There are two included in the set)
and the 1622-6B Observation
The engine that is cataloged with the set is the #434 engine and tender combination which consists of the #432 engine and a #433A tender.
I'm very happy to have a reasonable example of what the set looked like.
With the engine headlight blazing and the cars all lighted it makes an impressive sight speeding along the track.
Have a great time with your trains in the New Year!
Very nice! Beautiful example.
Jim
Northwoods Flyer The trucks each have six wheels so that makes these cars very likely to be from Set #315 from 1939. The cars from 1938 had 4 wheel trucks and white belly pans. (Someday I will add a set of the 4 wheel truck cars to the collection too. )
Northwoods,
Actually, the belly pans on the 1938 set match the color of the roof. The only cars I know of with white belly pans are the 3/16th Gilbert cars from 1940/41?
Glad I could help you find the cars.
NWL
Northwoods - Wow, nice treasure!
vintageflyerThe rubber stamped "432" is from 1939. The white stripe and red window appears on the 1938 version which also is numbered "43224" with a decal. Look closely to see if your loco has been touched up.
The 432 with red windows and white stripe, although unusual appears to be a legitimate variation. I have one and have seen a number of others over the years. I also have an original 435 that just has the white stripe. Here is a shot of my 432 with white stripe and red windows.
I suspect these are early 1939 variations that were decorated for 1938, but instead recieved the 1939 rubberstamping. After all these were toys and minor variations such as the stripe and window color are things that only drive us collectors crazy.
My engine even has the white striped drive wheels, which are found on 1938 engines. There are no touchups on this engine and I suspect it was just a transitional piece, as it would seem unlikely that the switch from 1938 to 1939 decorations was made on a single piece as the individual shells, motors, stickers, etc. are unlikely to match up number wise at the end of the production. It is more likely that the decision was made to have the transition occur on the 432 shells as it seems as if these crossover decorated 432s are more common than crossover 435 engines.
Thanks fife. The additions to the collection have slowed in the last year for a number of reasons. The items that are on the "most wanted list" are getting to be fewer, but definitely more expensive. The term "a king's ransom" comes to mind for some of them.
vintageflyer and NationWideLines, Thanks for pointing out the variation in the 432. When vintageflyer raised the issue I suspected that it was a transition piece. I went and checked the engine and their is no touch up or indication that there was any alteration after it left the factory. Now I know what a real treasure I have.
Oldest American Flyer Electric????
My New Years project has been to get the pictured Flyer electric back into running condition.
This engine apears to be either an engineering/production sample, or one of the 50 electric engines made to test the market in 1918 (per a reported letter from WO Coleman to Lou Hertz, discussing the first American Flyer electric motors).
All I can say is the motor is very unusual with a number of features that point to the earliest production or even engineering/pre-production, which would date the motor to 1918 or possibly earlier.
I have had this engine for about 2 or 3 years and had to modify some springs and brushes so they would fit in the brush tubes. Then I had to solve some insulation issues so the motor would not short.
At 99+/- years it runs incredibly strong!
Cool old lokey. Kinda reminds me of an old hot hod with the lowered front and the low roofline and all!
Great info. I depend on you guys to show me the way. Of course there would be a transitional version of these locos, makes perfect sense given Flyers variation history. Well there's another piece I'll be on the lookout for. Thanks fellas. Your knowledge is always appreciated.
Red Streamlined Cars and #435 Engine
Several entries back I posted the blue set of streamlined cars headed by the #432 Atlantic that had been on my bucket list. NationWideLines brought up the #435 Pacific and I thought I would post some photos of that engine heading up a red streamlined passenger set. (The cars and the engine in this photo are a marriage. NationWideLines helped me acquire the cars - Thank You again - and I found the engine on my own.) I am fairly certain that photos of NWL's set are posted somewhere on the thread.
This set most likely comes from 1939 or 1940.
It is headed up by the #436 Locomotive-Tender combination which is a #435 Type XV Pacific die-cast engine, and a 433A Type XV tender.
To be clear; the ivory paint on the cab window is most likely an addition by a previous owner. Unless someone else can verify that they have the same ivory windows I am sure that the cab windows should be black.
The set from 1939 was numbered No.317 and the set from 1940 was numbered No.4013
Both sets had two 1621-6 coaches
and a 1622-6 observation
Schuweiler says "The actual color of the cars in these sets is questionable since sets with 436 locomotive and tender have been reported with both blue and red cars. American Flyer did not designate the car color in the catalog or price list...."
I suppose that there are only a few of us sticklers for accuracy to whom it matters. As always Flyer produced some beautiful sets with the detailed engine and brightly colored cars.
Northwoods, there is one error in your description. You list the set as being with a 433A tender. I realize you base your information on the Greenberg's guide, but that book is not 100% accurate. Actually, the 433A tender is the tender with the freight coupler. The tender with the passenger coupler is simply a 433 tender. I can confirm this due to observed tender boxes with these sets and tender boxes with freight sets.
I think the 1939 catalog may have listed the color of the cars with the set, but I know that the 1940 catalog did not mention the color of the cars.
I have observed boxed sets with the 435 engine coming with red cars, chrome cars, and yellow 6-wheel coaches (which would have come with the Union Pacific set as 4 wheel cars). I do not recall seeing a 435 with blue cars, but in my opinion it certainly could exist. My guess is that 1940 was simply a year for selling of whatever color cars they had left, as they only cataloged 2 sets using up Chicago items.
I know there is a report that the 435 with yellow cars is a special set for a Buffalo NY area retailer, but it is difficult for me to confirm that, as so few of these sets come along as boxed sets. My 435 with yellow cars does come in a setbox marked for a Buffalo retailer; however, the setbox is numbered for the 429 switcher with freight cars. I still kick myself for not buying the switcher set that sold on the same auction that I bought my set on, as I suspect that buyer got my setbox.
January 22, 2008 - January 22, 2017
Celebrating
9
years
Pre War American Flyer Pictures
Each time that I post another anniversary greeting I think back to those first days and weeks that this thread was up and running. I would have never predicted when I posted for the first time that there would be so many folks who were willing to post photos of the items in their collections. I remember how pleased I was that folks were actually posting photos and sharing their knowledge of American Flyer Trains. Folks have posted many great questions too, and it is a rare occasion when someone isn't able to give an answer. There is a significant amount of knowledge about American Flyer Trains posted in this thread that I don't think you can find easily anywhere else. Of course I realize that with the way this thread has grown it isn't always easy to find the exact bit of information that you may be seeking either. I like to think of it as wandering into a new to you hobby shop, or a previously unexplored antique shop. Each turn of the page, or posting, brings some unexpected delight. I feel that way quite frequently when I wander back through the thread.
I hope that as I approach retirement one of these years (yes I know exactly how long it will be) I will be able to work on some kind of an index to help folks find what they might be looking for. I recently made a job change and I have less time to devote to hobby interests than I once had. I hope that folks will continue to post photos, share insights and ask questions. I look forward to posting as much as I look forward to seeing what each new post brings. Thanks to all of you who come and visit. I have made some wonderful friends here. I think you will find a cordial group to spend time with.
Thank You to Kalmbach and Classic Toy Trains for the opportunity to come and "play trains" and share this information in one place. Its been another great year. I eagerly look forward to what comes to light in the next year.
I like American Flyer's line of 9 1/2 inch freight cars. (Of course its a fair question to ask: "What don't you like about American Flyer?). So for the 9th anniversary let me present 9 freight cars from American Flyer's 9 1/2" freight car line.
3208 Box Car
3216 Log Car
3219 Dump Car
3210 Tank Car
3207 Sand Car
3025 Wrecker
3206 Machinery Car
3212 Borden's Milk Car
3211 Caboose
Happy Anniversary
Greg
Ok, 9 it is - the 1925 versions -
Great Northern
ART Reefer
Nickel Plate
B&O
Gondolas
NYC
PRR
Union Pacific
IC
Tank
Flat Car
...and an oddball - AF tank overprinted with black litho
Happy 9th Anniversary Northwoods.
Congrats on 9 years. Mersenne6 beat me to posting the litho 9 inch freights, so I don't have anything readily available to post relating to 9, other than this 9 inch caboose that was poorly repainted by a former owner.
There are about a dozen or so of these cabooses with these funky handrails that are known to exist. They date to early 1927 and match the catalog artwork. Their limited numbers appears to be due to the complexity of the handrails. Here is a view of the catalog artwork.
Pride of the Yankees?
Here is a Yankee Flyer Line car from 1916. Not really sure why Flyer went with Yankee Flyer, but 1916 saw the first use of Continental Flyer Line and Imperial Limited Line, most likely in response to Hafner's entry into the Canadian market.
All I can say is that 101 years old, the car is in remarkable condition.
Set 1101 c. 1925
I picked this set up at an auction today and it is just another variation to go into the train vault, until I add some more shelf space.
This is a boxed set, with extremely nice set box and interesting items of original paperwork. The oiling instructions recommend using "Light Vaseline" instead of oil, because the oil may get on the wiring and cause shorts.
I have to say that this variation is the best looking, in my opinion.
Very nice, great find!
original or not, I like the ivory windows. great pics Greg.
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
NationWideLines,
What a great find, and its in fantastic condition. Thanks for sharing the photos.
Dave,
I'm glad you like the engine. I think Flyer was really on to something in their design by the time they produced this engine and its siblings.
Speaking of siblings; here are the 432 and the 435 posing together for a family portrait.
The 432 and 435 models are clearly based on the Baltimore and Ohio P-7 class Pacifics of 1927, see
http://www.borail.org/BO-No5300.aspx
The 432 had wheels of the appropriate diameter, but two axles instead of three. Lionel made similar compromises on models of that era and earlier. The 435 would appear to be a second thought, with the right number of coupled axles but with a much smaller diameter in order to fit them under the foreshortened shell. Clearly purchasers were becoming more demanding, which led to the smaller scale but more accurate models of the Gilbert era. But the 432 and 435 provided a locomotive that could easily be compared with the prototype.
Peter
M636C Clearly purchasers were becoming more demanding, which led to the smaller scale but more accurate models of the Gilbert era. Peter
Clearly purchasers were becoming more demanding, which led to the smaller scale but more accurate models of the Gilbert era.
I would also guess that the technology for die casting the engines was also improving significantly, which led to the creation of more realistic looking toy train locomotives.
Nationwidelines M636C Clearly purchasers were becoming more demanding, which led to the smaller scale but more accurate models of the Gilbert era. Peter I would also guess that the technology for die casting the engines was also improving significantly, which led to the creation of more realistic looking toy train locomotives. NWL
I like to search junk boxes for rebuilds. I've done quite a few Lionels. I am getting more interested in Prewar Flyer (Greg's fault) and I spotted this on the bay. Just curious what kind of parts avalibilty there is. New, other junkers? Thanks
Pass on that one, it is junk and it would not be worth your while to get the parts. I suggest you find one that is complete with all of the parts and then restore it, as you will spend more finding parts for that junker than you would buying a complete one that needs restoration.
that's about normal for me. this one is only $2, so cheap enough. just wondering what parts are avalible.
LL675 that's about normal for me. this one is only $2, so cheap enough. just wondering what parts are avalible.
Well, look at what is for sale.
1) a caboose frame
2) a repainted illini baggage car body (which originally would have been lithographed)
So what are you getting? nothing but junk.
What are you thinking to rebuild? A caboose or a baggage car?
My thoughts are why rebuild either? complete cabooses can be found for around $10. As for the repainted lithograph body, what could you match it to? You cannot find any parts for it, other than on other junk cars, so you might as well skip this junk lot.
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