Here is the Prewar 3/16" O gauge Royal Blue and Passenger set.. Flash photos don't do this set justice, it's in really nice condition! This is almost identical to the postwar Royal Blue 350 which oddly enough ONLY came with freight cars, A.C. Gilbert didn't carry over the Baltimore and Ohio Blue passenger cars. Perhaps he didn't want to carry over such an old design?
Lover of all things Gilbert, truly a man ahead of his time.
Here is a Prewar 3/16" O gauge Tuscan Passenger set with "deluxe" Pullman cars.. As you can see in the photos there is an observation car in the "tinplate" heavyweight design.. The two pullmans have light sockets punched in the floor but no pickup or sockets. The medium weight cars that do not have lights do not have holes punched in the floors? I have one out of three medium weights with lighting. I think all these cars look better with the lights on! These two Pullman's look right at home behind the standard weight cars. I cheat a little and pull this set with a Pennsylvania Streamline in Brunswick green.. although this engine is not true 3/16th scale it was used with the 3/16" cars and I especially like it because it was restored using an Atlas O gauge running gears with smoke! Gotta love smoke. One of the other things the Prewar Flyer is sorely lacking is the "Choo Choo" sound. I'm thinking of burying a newer smoke in tender unit in an old box car or tender and leaving it on a siding to produce the choo choo sound that would vary with throttle position. (I would rather do this than mess with one of the nicer cars).. I have a few Flyer "Chuggers" but they just don't seem to sound as good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll7QcueelhI&feature=plcp
Here is a link to a little youtube of a few of the trains in action. I have a siding with switch to alternate between either the Hudson freight or Pennsylvania passenger line. I can also switch the inside line through the tunnel or to the outside.. Later I'll have a talking station hooked up and working.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qkChGOV_84&feature=relmfu
This second link shows the little layout before I added a larger second level..
Gray Cat The searchlight car is always a favorite, I have a girder car and am currently looking for a crane car to go with as well as the unloading car which has a Tank for it's load.
The searchlight car is always a favorite, I have a girder car and am currently looking for a crane car to go with as well as the unloading car which has a Tank for it's load.
hey Cat, great pictures. first time i've ever seen the 495-type cars in brown and especially like that lounge-observation. it almost looks as though there may have been a drumhead attached to the railing at one time? if not, the addition of one (without any hard changes, of course) might look sharp.
nice collection of 400 series freight cars, also. this is one of the few 8-wheel Flyer groups i collect and had the camera out the other evening anyway so here are a few you missed...
first is the black frame version of the lumber car. the load is in well handled condition, but you can still make out the "482" on the side shown, with the "American Flyer Lines" decal on the other side. the Greenberg text states there should be two decals on each side, yet both this and the green frame version i have only have a single decal centered on each side.
probably the most difficult car to find with the correct and complete load, is the unloading flat.
when activated, the hidden solenoid turns and lowers the platform.
to complete the unloading flat, the Tootsie tank is also a tough find often found as the piece on the left, missing front and rear guns. the original rubber tires are also usually in a rather fragile state.
another solenoid activated car, the spring loaded side of this car opens up to dump its load.
my favorite has to be the #481 wrecker, though. also made in a black frame/ gray boom version, it has control wheels to both raise and lower the boom arm and hook.
what's that you say? yours doesn't smoke? :)
cheers...gary
Gary, thanks for adding your pics to a part of this thread that I hope will continue to grow. It seems you've posted pics of every car on my want list!! I was very happy to find that passenger set in Tuscan with the Pullman cars. They were a local find which made it even nicer. I am now on the lookout for a Tuscan baggage car to go with. It does look like a drum head belonged there, I'll see what I can dig up..
i'm not really looking that hard anymore, but my collecting nemesis with the 400 series cars was always the silver 480 tank on the blue frame, though for merely collecting all numbers, i do have an almost perfect Shell tank version.
one collector alert on the 481 wrecker. according to the Greenberg prewar Am Flyer wide gauge text, the (583) Electro Magnetic Crane which used the same crane body as the 481 car had a black stack, not the chrome (or maybe nickel plate?) version which should be found on the 481 wrecker crane. the roofs that are merely a friction fit and can easily slide on and off are completely interchangeable, however.
anything beyond the very common 476 gondola, 478 boxcar and 484 caboose is the start of a good collection. good luck...gary
Great posts on the Pre War 3/16" O Gauge line folks.
There is a thread about 3/16 O that ran for a while on the forum but appears to have gone dormant. This is a link to that thread. It has some great information and photos.
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/168740.aspx?PageIndex=1
Keep the photos of 3/16" O gauge equipment coming.
Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
the 400 series action cars came in sets with an activation track piece, the No. 683 Straight Unloading Track Set, but at least up to the 1941 catalog (i don't have a 1942), it was never pictured or for that matter, even offered as a separate sale item. both the 472 and 474 cars i have came individually without the track piece, but eventually, and after recently getting a few supporting opinions, i believe i found the correct track.
the solenoid circuit is completed through a small spring positioned outboard to contract the trip track. a metal angle piece, riveted to but isolated from the grounded ties, is powered through a single small fanstock clip. when the car spring comes in contact with the track angle piece completing the circuit, a momentary switch (likely another part of the No. 683 set) can be used to power the solenoid.
I just picket this little guy up today. This is a Prewar A-Koostikin' station. These prewar stations came in both the brown/yellow and red/white color combinations. They were later continued in the postwar S gauge lineup in red/white. It seems that the original name although catchy to the A.C. Gilbert company didn't work well out on the street. It was later changed to "Talking Station" which was self explanatory. This neat little accessory stops the train in an insulated block which then starts a record containing station calls and sound effects. After the record finishes the train starts back up and goes on it's way! Notice the front curbing is cut away on this station.
Wide Gauge Lone Scout Set
The Lone Scout set appeared in American Flyer Catalogs from 1929 through 1931. It came headed up by several different electric outline locomotives. Mine has been on display for a number of years in my library/office. We are going through some minor redecorating and so I took it down and decided to photograph it for the thread.
I believe that my set is from 1929. The Lone Scout set illustrated for that year is #1464. It is headed by the #4635. In a seperate red outlined box on the same catalog page set #1494 is offered with the #4685, which has an automatic reverse. The #1464 was priced at $35.00. The #1494 was priced at $40.00.
The 4685 was cataloged in 1929 and 1930.
I've been looking to buy a 3315 for a little while now, but Ebay seems to be too competitive of a place to get one from. I plan to start looking locally, the only problem is I wouldn't really know if I was holding either a 3315 or any other locomotive labeled "American Flyer" on the cab. It's easy to know online, because the auction will be for a "3315 Steam Locomotive", but I don't know if they know what they're tallking about either. So my question is, how do I tell what number the engine is? I'm guessing it's stamped somewhere, but I don't know where. Obviously, there is a bell, but I'm aware many other engine's had bells as well.
Trevor
Actually, these engines were not stamped with a number. The 3315 engines are noted for the brass trim piece mounted under the running boards.
Trevor,
The Type IX locomotive is a nice looking engine. It was introduced in 1932 and ran in the catalog through 1935. It reappeared in the 1937 catalog for the last time. It was cataloged under several different numbers, but the easiest way to recognize it is by the brass trim along the running board. There is no number present on the engine.
overlandflyer what's that you say? yours doesn't smoke? :)
Your crane car must similar to my rare version of the 561. It has steam chest and whistle smoke effects, and it still works even without track power, just like your 481!
tjl0824 Your crane car must similar to my rare version of the 561. It has steam chest and whistle smoke effects, and it still works even without track power, just like your 481! Trevor
concluding a year long super-detailing project which included a working coal burning boiler deftly hidden to avoid any loss of collector value, the need for track power is not an issue here. my guess is that the crane operator was bored and just trying to keep warm during the photo shoot.
ah, the magic of toy trains!
Narrow Gauge Lone Scout Set
Back one page I posted photos of the Wide Gauge Lone Scout set. It appeared in American Flyer Catalogs from 1929 through 1931. In the 1929 and 1930 catalogs there is a line drawing of an American Indian standing looking out over a landscape with the caption. "Named in honor of Indian Braves"
In 1934 Flyer recycled the name for a Narrow Gauge set that appeared for only one year; set #1366-RT.
Here are a few more additions to the 3/16" Gilbert O portion of this thread.
This is a "set" I just acquired, it is a 571 O Challenger in 3/16" (scale or tru model as Gilbert called it). It has the worm drive motor and Remote Directional Control unit. I was able to purchase it with three of the Diecast cars a 512 Texaco tanker, a 508 Virginia Hopper and a 516 UP Caboose. I'm going to be looking for the 510 Cattle car which should go with this consist. My 1940 Catalog shows a 534 as the RDC engine to go with the diecast cars to make a set, this engine is a 571 but with the RDC. Not sure yet why, but looking to find out. All pieces are in great shape except the tender bottom which is warped (zinc rot? I believe it's called).. These tender bottoms are reproduced so I'll have one ordered soon.
Last image is a picture of what the directional control unit looks like. Strangely the whistle control on a ZW activates the Directional Control relay!
http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?ns=1&video_id=v2s8J_HiM_E
This is a link to a youtube video clip showing the 571 with Remote Directional Control in action. I'm using the ZW whistle controller to activate the RDC. I'm not sure if it is working as well as it could/should. I'll keep my eyes out for a proper controller in the future as well as the missing cattle car to make this a completed set. Very neat little feature! Forgive the tender floor as I didn't get a chance to replace it yet. You will see at the end of the video it causes a slight derailment. Fortunately we didn't have to bring the big hook out to get that tank back on the rails!
Gray Cat http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?ns=1&video_id=v2s8J_HiM_E This is a link to a youtube video clip showing the 571 with Remote Directional Control in action.
This is a link to a youtube video clip showing the 571 with Remote Directional Control in action.
Your link is bringing me to my Video Manager page.
Good one Gary! Did you buy those recently? I saw those together with a few other things on eBay but someone else got them.
I just bought some Chicago era 3200 series freight cars, but they came rougher than the pictures made them look. I'll post some pictures as soon as I clean them up.
tjl0824 ... Did you buy those recently? I saw those together with a few other things on eBay but someone else got them.
... Did you buy those recently? I saw those together with a few other things on eBay but someone else got them.
wasn't me... i've had these two pieces for a while. i love small stations. this one and the Hafner Glenn Ellen station make a good pair for a small layout. if someone ever starts a Hafner string, you will really see some similarities between early Flyer and Hafner.
i picked up the station clock along with a few other acc's like a banjo signal and simple crossing gate from the same era, but the clock is the only piece i keep out to remind me when it's tea time. ...ah, just about now.
I think this link will take you to Gray Cat's video of his 571
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2s8J_HiM_E
Thanks for posting it. These old toys still have a lot of life and action in them.
overlandflyer if someone ever starts a Hafner string, you will really see some similarities between early Flyer and Hafner.
if someone ever starts a Hafner string, you will really see some similarities between early Flyer and Hafner.
I was hoping some time or another someone would do a Hafner post on the Marx thread. There is no strict rules as long as you don't start putting postwar Lionel stuff on there...
overlandflyer #220 Station Clock & #90 Hyde Park Station (ca.1930)
#220 Station Clock & #90 Hyde Park Station (ca.1930)
(I tried to quote overlandflyer's post above twice and for some reason it will not post the photo. Scroll back up a ways and you can see his original post.)
Gary,
I really like the #220 station clock but until recently I did not have one in my collection. I purchased one a short time ago and I took some photos of it to post here on the thread. After you posted the above photo I went to look at mine and discovered that you have a variation of it that Schuweiler does not mention in the Greenberg guide.
Mine has a green standard and base, while yours is red.
probably not related at all, but to designate a battery from a transformer powered accessory early on, Marx accessories colored green denoted the battery operated model whereas red was associated with the externally powered types.
its size does push the realism in O scale a bit, but luckily some scenic fixtures such as trees, clocks and flags can pass a bit more out of scale than mailboxes or phonebooths.
as a final note if you're looking for one, since this piece, or for that matter many of the early accessories, is not marked as Flyer, it is often mis-ID'ed.
Northwoods / Overland Flyer,
Your recent posts about the Flyer Clock and 240 Equipment set reminded me of something I acquired at York in the last year or two.
The toughest piece to find in the 240 equipment set is the original box, as shown below. I suspect part of the reason is that it is tough to pack the items back in the box and I am missing one of the signals in my set.
post deleted by user
Adding again to the 3/16" prewar Flyer section. Here are a few pics of action cars I just acquired. \
The first is a version of the 472 Armored Car unloading car. It has a red frame and dual pickup springs. Don't know how rare this is, but I'm sure it's a less common variation. The photo from above shows both springs. Sadly this is the non lethal version, it has no guns! As Overland Flyer pointed out finding one of these with guns intact can be a challenge. It does have NOS rubber on it though so it rolls off the car well.
This next picture is of the 474 Coal Dump car. This is almost identical to the postwar 716 side dump car.
This car was advertised for sale as a crane car on the wrong tank car base. I took a chance and bought it hoping it was the 514 Wrecker car and as far as I can tell it is! A good find for $10. This has the open frame cast base with four holes (one at each corner for use on other cast cars). The trucks are riveted on with what look like factory steel rivets (lots of original patina). Not sure of the No. 11 decal, I don't know if this came like this from the factory or if it was in the kit (since this is riveted I'm guessing it's a factory car) or a later customer add on?
Here is another of the Prewar 3/16" Die Cast cars. This 504 Gondola is a two part casting. It uses the same die cast open frame as the Wrecker car.. on this gondola the four corners are attached with cast in posts on the gondola body that are peened over through the frame to hold it together. This car came in both the kit form or factory assembled. The catalog shows either the Hudson or the Northern pulling only a few of these cast cars and it's no wonder. They are quite heavy!
Lastly here is a shot of a green 492 mail pickup car.
During the prewar period there was not nearly the selection Gilbert offered post war, but having any of these action cars can add a ton of play value to a prewar collection or layout. It is a real treat to find any of them.
overland flyer/gary,
I certainly hope that they can figure out what has happened to your posts. Your information and photos have been an invaluable addition to the information here on the thread. I know I personally learned a lot from your posts. I'm hoping that they can get around to working out all the bugs. Something similar happened to Mersenne6. We didn't lose the photos in his posts, but he did lose the ability to post photos. I did repost your entry to the "fix the bugs" thread. I noticed the same thing has not happened to your posts in the Marx thread here on the forum. (By the way folks, that thread is excellent. I didn't know much about Marx trains, but my knowledge has been increased many fold but reading it) Thanks for your contributions, I look forward to more.
Gray Cat,
Let me offer a tip of the old fedora -
Nationwidelines,
What a great find. I have never seen a box for the #240 Equipment set. From your description of the difficulty getting all of the items back in the box I can understand why many of them have not survived.
Reading your post and noticing two of the Banjo Signals on eBay recently made me take a look at the Banjo signals that I have in my collection.
#202 Banjo Signal
The Banjo Signal came in two forms. The #202 is the one that is shown in Nationwidelines' photo of the set. It was cataloged for seperate sale in 1930 through 1932, and apparently included in the #240 Equipment Set and various train sets for quite a few years. The other version is the #222. It has a rod that moves the swinging arm. I don't have a #222 and in fact I can't remember having seen one. I probably have just never taken the time to notice.
I gathered up my #202s and discovered there are several variations.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month