My Xmas present to myself arrived in the mail today! Being a box fan, I could not resist bidding on the following item.
The 1118 tank cars did not come with the box and I put several in for the photograph, so they do not all match. My plan is to acquire 2 more of the high truck early versions to add to the 4 that are shown in the group.
This half dozen box goes well with my other half dozen assortment box, which was shown on an earlier page, as well as below.
NWL
Northwoods,
Looks like you will have a merry xmas with a train running by the 108 switchtower.
beautiful tower Greg. wouldn't mind one of those myself.
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
Accessories
#108 Switch Tower House
I recently bought myself an early Christmas present. I have wanted one of these Switch Towers for a long time. I finally came across one that was in an acceptable condition and at the right price.
The #108 was cataloged from 1929 - 1934. There are at least two color variations of this accessory; Schuweiler labels this one as variation A.
One of the really fun things about it is that the wiring instructions are pasted on the bottom.
There is a version that has no knife switches on it that NationWideLines posted a while back when we were posting trivia questions.
"What is this (catalog number) and what year / years was it cataloged?
it is not the 108 Switch Tower.
This is a picture of the same view of the 108 Switch Tower, the differences are easily spotted when compared side to side.
This is a picture of the other side of the 108 Switch Tower
I showed a picture of the entire item, because this is not an easy question or item to find.
I suggest you consult your catalogs. I will give you a hint, this item was cataloged only 1 year.
Here are pictures of both sides of the mystery item. Compare them to the 108 above
What year was it cataloged and what is its correct catalog number?
NWL"
NationWideLines,
I finally had some time to look through my catalogs. I never noticed that the listing for the 108 Switch Tower House had a paragraph offering the item you show in your photo. Nice find!
Your photo is of the #4108 "Tower House" offered only in the 1932 catalog. The catalog describes it as being the same as the #108 except without the knife switches.
One more item off the "Most Wanted" list. Unless of course I start looking for a #4108 too.
Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
Heymrd1313,
Thanks for sharing your 1218 Frankenstein, and your observations. While it may not be an original American Flyer issue it certainly is an example of a model railroader's creativity. One of its previous owners obviously put a lot of time into that project. From gathering the parts (from toy train graveyards?) to developing the concept and painting the carcass and assembling it all, the person who put it together was a real artist.
Here are some photos of the #7010 that was marketed through Wards. I have only seen it come in green.
This is a cover from the 1929 Montgomery Ward Catalog
And the page showing the trains for sale.
This is the #7010
I have never seen a boxed example of the Wards set, but I think this is a representation of what the set may have looked like.
After reading the points made by NWL I decided to do a bit more checking of the engine. I can report these items.
1. The 1218 cover plate on the back of the cab came off pretty easy and it did cover up a hole. The hole was punched, not drilled, into the body at some point since there was a slight burr on the inside of hole. The type of burr that is created when metal is punched. There was no socket for a blub behind the plate hole. This holed may or may not be original to the cab.
2. Looking through the hole the inside of the cab body is visible and I did see some bear spots in the blue paint. The bare metal of the cab is visible in spots and I could see no evidence of any other color paint but the ultramarine blue. It did not seem to have been repainted or blue over another color.
3. The cab and frame were apart at some point and were reattached with flat top split rivets with newer couplers having been added.
4. I could see the end of the pole and it was left long and then the end was mushroomed to attach it to the cab.
One other point I did find. American Flyer did make a train set for Montgomery Ward it's #7010. They used a 1218 body but put a reversing motor in the cab body. So if the engine could talk it could tell us how it got and extra hole, a pole and a reversing motor. Sadly it can't, so it will remain THE 1218 FRANKENSTEIN.
Thanks for the evaluation. So the engine is bits and pieces from here and there put together to make this one. I have a Frankenstein 1218 ?
Heymrd1313 Anyone wish to take a shot at the history of this 1218 ? I purchased it at a yard sale and the previous owner had no history or story to go with the engine. It is a dark ultramarine blue. I will let the photos tell the rest of the story.
Anyone wish to take a shot at the history of this 1218 ? I purchased it at a yard sale and the previous owner had no history or story to go with the engine. It is a dark ultramarine blue. I will let the photos tell the rest of the story.
I will take a stab at this.
Dark Blue is a known color for a 1218. It is a very rare color, as the blue did not typically adhere well to the steel/paint.
The one true blue 1218 I have seen in person, was a factory overpainted black body and unpainted steel roof. The blue paint was 99% gone from the roof and at least 50% gone from the black overpainted body.
As for your engine. I see some things wrong with it and will note them
1) big thing wrong, is that there is a post sticking up through the body behind the headlight. Not sure what that is or how that is attached, but it is not normal.
2) your motor has reverse. The 1218 engines did not come with reverse, therefore, the motor appears incorrect.
3) the 1218 numbering on the opposite end of the motor from the headlight, is large and appears incorrect for 1218 engines. After taking a second look at this, there appears to be an unusual plate with this end number on, which possibly covers a second light bulb hole? Not sure, but this is very unusual and incorrect.
4) I note the motor frame has brass journal boxes, which is incorrect for a 1218. 1218 frames were not punched for journal boxes.
5) Overall the paint looks too good, with very few chips/scratches.
These factors lead me to question the authenticity of your engine.
I have the cd rom with the catalog scans, which to my understanding was made using original catalogs. The 1925 set 1102 shows a black 1096 engine with the red/maroon Seattle cars.
The 1926 catalog shows the lithographed red/maroon 1096 with the later New Haven body (see below) that has the cast pantograph/headlight on roof and red/maroon Seattle cars.
Therefore, it appears that due to the body style of your engine, your set would date to 1925 or possibly early 1926 (as I believe the catalogs typically came out in the fall).
I know set 1102 was first cataloged in 1925, with the similar set using either the 1101 engine or 1095 engine (later years) was cataloged from 1922 through 1924.
However, just because the catalog shows one color, with Flyer the colors certainly could have varied.
The 1102 set in my collection matches the catalog, with black 1096 and red/maroon Seattle cars; however, I do not recall if it is a boxed set.
I know the colors varied in the late 1101 sets from 1924, as I have a set with brown 1095 and red/maroon Seattle cars and a set with black 1095 and green Seattle cars and have seen green 1095 engines.
Train No. 1102 - 1925
The only early catalog that I have is this one from 1925
My 1925 catalog is a black and white reprint so I don't know what color the No. 1102 is in the catalog, but I believe that my set is from 1925. Does anyone have an original copy of the catalog in color?
The engine is a black 1096
There are two 5 1/2" 4 wheel #1120 Seattle coaches in green in the set.
Its a nice entry level set, and its amazing to think that it is 92 years old and runs like new.
I neglected to mention - the signals and the crossing warning sign are also Hafner. In addition to different roof colors the station lithography was also printed in a variety of colors and shadings. For example, I have seen the brick part of the station lithoed in either red, orange, or blue and the lower stone course part of the station lithoed in either a sort of outline of stone work and a detailed shaded gray stone.
I think that the Hafner Glen Elynn station came with several variations of roof colors. I have one in my collection just to have an example of Hafner equipment.
Here are some photos borrowed from Google Images.
The station is Hafner. It is missing the detachable semaphore blade and staff (the staff is inserted through the hole in the roof.
Ray
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
First thanks for the info. I was going to test it to see if it still works I have not used it in decades. It was my mothers. I was thinking about selling it so I needed an ID to identify it to get a price, but not so sure now because of the detailed history you just provided. I have the 3 wooden animals for the box car too. I will post those later.
sifuz,
to the thread. You have a very nice example of Set #2. What is it's story? Is it a family piece?
As NationWideLines already said it is Set #2 in the 1938 catalog.
It comes from the era after A.C. Gilbert took over the company.
Will it be under a Christmas tree this year?
sifuz Do you know what set these are from?
Do you know what set these are from?
The engine, tender, and cars are from Set #2 of 1938. The station appears to be a Hafner station and the signals are from one of the off brand companies that made only signals (but could have been sold under the Hafner name).
Thanks for the reminder that there are non-talkiing versions of those two Pre War buildings. I had not remembered them. I have never seen examples of them either, but now I have something else to look for. The searching never ends.
Here are several photos of the three buildings that I have.
I am not sure why I took all of the photos at such an angle. I must have wanted to present them from a different perspective.
Don't forget there were non-talking versions of the prewar buildings as well. The non-talking tool shed in yellow and brown typically comes with a smooth painted green roof (ie no orange peel/crackle finish) and the non-talking staion was identical to the talking version, with the exception of two power clips mounted to the top of the base for the interior lighting.
I have owned both the talking and non-talking versions in the past, but recently sold them as they did not fit with my collecting interests.
#597 a-Koostikin Talking Passenger and Freight Station
As you might have guessed, there is also a Prewar version of the Talking Station that is familiar to S gauge enthusiasts. Like the two previous posts it comes in the yellow, brown and green color scheme.
According to Schuweiler the #597 was available from 1939 thru 1942. Once again the Prewar color scheme isn't mentioned.
It has the talking mechanism.
The Talking Station returned in the S Gauge Line as the #755
(another Google image)
#595 a-Koostikin Talking Tool Shed
Schuweiler's information on this accessory in the Wide Gauge book is confusing at best. The description that he provides describes a building in red and white. He describes it as being available from 1939-1942 but also asks for verification with no reported sales.
The #595 that I have is in the yellow, brown and green color scheme, which is generally considered to be a Pre War color scheme.
It came in a box identifying it as No. 595 Tool Shed.
Schuweiler does not mention this color scheme, which I suspect may have just been an oversight.
It definitely has the record playing mechanism.
After the War the Tool Shed returned in the S gauge line in the more familiar red and white color scheme.
(The following views are borrowed from Google Images)
It also comes with a maroon roof.
It was numbered as the #585 and had no talking mechanism.
#593 Signal Tower
When Gilbert took over the American Flyer Line they began to issue more "realistic" equipment and accessories. The #593 Signal Tower appeared in the 1939 catalog and remained there until production was stopped because of war-time production. It is easily reacognizeable because of its yellow, brown and green color scheme.
It reappeared after the war in a red, white and green color combination. That version is the more familiar and common one. It is well known to S-gauge collectors. Both versions look good with S and O gauge trains.
(Borrowed from Google Images. My example is packed away in a box somewhere.)
Here is the most interesting of my York finds. Although to many, this looks like a typical City of Denver shell that has been repainted. However, when looking closely at it, one notices differences. Sure the red stuff on the side and front is some sort of bondo/epoxy that fills holes, but if you look past that and the incorrect paint, what you notice is a shell that lacks the following items:
1) No hole on the side for the motor brushes
2) No holes in front of the cab windows to mount a motor
3) No hole at the rear to mount the vestibule for connecting to the trailing cars
4) No holes in the side to mount the trailing trucks
5) No holes to mount the roof mounted smokestack (which should be on the flat part of the shell)
6) No holes to mount cab weights
Additionally, there are extra holes that are incorrect, such as:
1) the holes on each side behind the last porthole window, which has been filled with the red bondo/epoxy
2) the two holes on the sloped part of the cab roof. Someone suggested that possibly someone wanted to mount a Zephyr style smokstack here.
3) The hole in the front along the cowcatcher area, again which has been patched with red bondo/epoxy
4) The hole in the roof along the flat part. This is approximately where the regular smokestack would mount; however, it does not seem to be for the typical City of Denver smokestack.
Lastly, the most interesting thing that came out of this purchase is when discussing the item with a fellow Flyer collector, he indicated that he had a similar UP City of Denver shell. Since he lived close to York and went home every night, he brought his shell to the show the next day and we compared them. His engine shell had original City of Denver paint, with early dark yellow paint and brown trim (Except no brown on the front grills) and had absolutely no holes drilled in the shell.
Both of us wondered what these cabs would have been used for? Someone had suggested that these may be factory rejects, but I did not see evidence of that, especially with my friends, which had no problems, other than the lack of the proper holes.
Anyway, for your viewing pleasure
Both my friend and I paid very little for these odd engine shells and purchased them for conversation pieces.
Yet another York find!
I did not buy too many things at York, but did find the following car. This is my first New York Express variation.
An intersting thing I have noted about these small 1 piece body cars is that the bottoms are re-used metal, with the lithograph facing up, into the body of the car. This particular car has a piece that is lithographed for a station, apparently a 97 station.
NationWideLines;
Your collection of American Flyer "Chicago"cars is awe inspiring. It is also growing nicely. How many variations of this car are there? I don't have any in my collection, but the items that you post always tempt me to consider looking into this era of production.
Thanks.
I usually collect my Flyer sets one or two pieces at a time. It took several years to gather the three cars, the tender, and the engine that comprise (a fairly good representation of) the:
1939 No. 3 Pennsylvania Passenger
This is how it looks in the catalog. I have always thought that Gilbert's catalogs immediately after the take over do very little to inspire a person.
You can see that the catalog had a printing error identifying this as No.2 Train Set in the description. A previous owner of my catalog made a correction with an ink pen.
The contents of the set:
I think it is pretty clear that Gilbert put this set together to get rid of Chicago Flyer stock that was still on hand.
I would like to know what the contents of this set really are from someone who owns a boxed set.
I think it is a pretty good looking set. This is how it looks on the Blueboard Central.
Another York TCA show has come and gone... Lately, I have been searching for items from pre-1918 and before. On Monday at one of the bandit shows, I found a mixed group of early Metzel items. There was a #12 engine c. 1910 or after, a red 328 tender body that was mounted on a c. 1916 era frame, and two c. 1908 Chicago cars. I purchased the group for the single Chicago car shown below and sold the remaining items.
Not shown in the photo, are the c. 1907/1908 couplers which are very tiny and typically associated with the 1907 items. This car came with another 4 window Chicago car, similar to the one below.
As I had the above shown car, I ended up reselling the car that came with the one I wanted.
This brings my collection of 4 Window Chicago cars to Four, which includes the following two cars.
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