Pre War American Flyer Pictures - An Invitation

[Nationwidelines]

Here is an interesting accessory with a bit of a holiday theme.  The base on this red painted accessory was repainted green at some point after it was assembled.  I am not sure if this is a factory job or by some past owner of the item.  All I can say is the item is like new and in its original box.  The underside of the base retains its red paint.  The green paint was obviously done with a brush, but with the exception of a spot paint slop on the main mast and some on the wiring, there are no visible brush strokes to the green overpaint. 

NWL

 

 

[Northwoods Flyer]

NWL,

Great find! And it is in like new condition.  Even that little ball is present on the top of the finial.  Most of the examples that I have seen have that part broken off.  Beside having the green base (that is a nice holiday touch by the way) it is the less common red color, and even more interesting (and uncommon) it is one of those left handed signals that we documented somewhere back on the thread.

As we've said before, Flyer has an amazing number of variations to even the most simple item.

Thanks for posting a great find.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[mersenne6]

  You two are really getting to me. I do believe you have cornered the market in left hand block signals!  Oh well, maybe one day.  Nice find NWL.

[vintageflyer]

Hello folks. First I would like to say, what an awesome discussion. And thanks to all who have contributed, with pics from their fabulous collections! Being a Flyer collector of a much less caliber, I am truly blown away! I would like to add a personal observation here that I am sure someone has noticed. That is that the trucks and wheels on the first series of these cars and other cars of this era (I call 1928 era), have larger diameter wheels than the later trucks. The trucks are also different as they are bent above and below the radius in the frame sides to allow for the wheel diameter variation. I can see this in your pics. And have found this in my own collection. Thanks Again!

[Northwoods Flyer]

Hi vintageflyer,

Welcome to the forums and welcome  to the thread.  Its always good to have another Flyer enthusiast join us here.  In my opinion whether you collect a few pieces of American Flyer equipment, or a room full, or if you collect information about Flyer - you are an American Flyer Collector.  

Thanks for the reminder about the different sizes of the wheels and the adaptations that Flyer made to their trucks during the years of production. 

Please tell us more about your collection and how you got interested and involved with Flyer.  Consider posting some photos of the things that you have collected; even if they have been posted before.  Its always fun to see what other things folks are interested in.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[vintageflyer]

Thanks Northwoods Flyer,

  I am currently interested in finding/collecting prewar Flyer variations, so stumbling upon this forum is great. I only wish that I had found it sooner! My father joined the TCA in 1977. The next year, I joined after attending a few train meets per his invitation. Here's one I'll bet you never heard before. "I was only going to find some more track to add to the S gauge set that I got as a kid.... and maybe some more cars..... and maybe another loco."

   I found a great group of people who more than happy to get rid of "that S gauge stuff." They were obviously Lionel guys, and gladly told me to "take this whole box" for 20-40 dollars! Aah the good ole days.

In the bottom of one of those boxes was a rough painted over set, that was later identified as a Marx 666 (too rusty to restore), and a set of six inch Flyer coaches. O gauge? Well maybe a little. We restored the coaches by matching the original color with automotive enamel. Soon a 3103 electric was restored. Then I thought a steam freight set would be nice, so I found a 3304 six inch eight wheel cars. That was going to be it! And you all can imagine the rest.

  As soon as I can figure out how to get my pics posted, I would like to share variations that I have collected, see if others have found the same.

                            Thank You, Prewar Flyer   

[mersenne6]

   Prewar Flyer,  For some reason your story sounds familiar - I seem to recall Hertz mentioning something similar back in 1956. 

 "The sequence of events about to be described has happened countless times before, and will be re-enacted even more times in the days and years to come. One of its acts may well be taking place somewhere at the very moment you read these lines.

 

  Scene: A local hobby shop.  Mr. Smith enters, exchanges greetings with the proprietor, nods to Mr. Jones, whom he knows by sight, and idly watches their transaction as he awaits his turn. Mr. Smith notices that Mr. Jones evidently has just bought a new HO gauge locomotive kit, and then Mr. Jones’ other purchase catches his eye. It’s a big old model locomotive, which doesn’t really look too much like a prototype locomotive at all, and is rather scratched and dented, yet Mr. Jones evidently regards it quite proudly and can hardly keep his eyes off it while it is being wrapped.

 

  After Mr. Jones has left, Mr. Smith’s curiosity gets the better of him. “What on earth was Jones doing with that piece of junk? It looks like something one of Noah’s kids must have played with in the Ark.”

 

  “Why, don’t you know? He’s a collector of old model trains. He’s got one of the best collections in town. That engine was quite a find.”

 

  “You mean there are people who actually collect that stuff? “

 “Sure, lots of them.”

 

  At this point, more likely than not, Mr. Smith raises his eyebrows, thinks somewhat pityingly of Mr. Jones, and may even make a spinning cartwheel motion with his right forefinger close to his ear. 

 

  Scene the second: The same hobby shop, a few weeks or so later. Mr. Smith again, speaking somewhat hesitantly: “You know, I’ve been thinking…I had an electric train when I was a kid, that my folks gave away afterward. It was O gauge and had a black engine with the headlight socket sort of sunk into the front of the engine body.” He pauses and looks a little sheepish. “You know, I wouldn’t mind getting a train like that again to sort of stand on a shelf over my layout. Do you think you might be able to find me one? I don’t remember the number. I had a lot of catalogs I saved when I was a kid and threw them out just a few years ago. I wish I’d kept them.”

  “Well, we might get in an engine like that sometime. You never can tell what we’ll pick up or get in trade. The only thing I can say is, you check with me every so often and see what’s come in.”

 

 Scene the last:  The same shop, several months later. Mr. Smith again: this time he rather bustles in, with rather an air of eager expectancy on his face:

  “Got any old trains?”

  “Not much this time. You should have come in last week. I had quite a batch of stuff, with some Bing cars and Ives cars in real nice shape, but your friend Jones was in Saturday and pretty well cleaned me out. He didn’t buy this engine though; said he already had one.”

 

  “I’ll take it! Boy, Bing and Ives Cars! That fellow Jones has all the luck! Still, “and Smith’s face brightens at the thought,  “ I beat him to that Dorfan set they had in the second-hand store downtown a couple of weeks ago. You should see it! The original paint, almost like new and the castings perfect. It’s a beauty!”

 

From Collecting Model Trains

[vintageflyer]

Northwoods,

I would like to submit two photos from my train collection of two variations of the

Type XXl Pennsy that I have found. I believe these to be a 1937 version and a 1938 version.

The first difference that caught my eye were the color variations. The '37 version seems to be more brownish compared to the more silver '38 version, which matches my '39 #417 version.

Next in the photo of the bottom, you may note.

 1) The reverse unit in '37 was still the two position "wig wag" type (for lack of a better term), while the '38 has a drum type like the later #417 version.                

 2) The idler gear in'37 was a single cast gear, while the '38 has a two piece steel gear.

 3) The cab wieght in '37 was the same "crowned wedge" (used on many other flyer locos) as the black '36 version, while the '38 has a larger "U" shaped wieght. This required holes in the cab floor corners as you can see in the upper right of the photo. 

 4) The front of the trailing trucks are of different lengths along with the shape of the rear motor mount.

 Lastly, the drive wheels on the '37 version are painted black as the '38 version had chemically blacked wheels. Also note that the '39 #417 had silver colored drivers.

 

 

 

 

 

[Nationwidelines]

So here is another odd and interesting variation that I only recently found.  It is a 214 Watchman's Tower, which I am guessing is a first year or very early issue.

Note it has celluloid window inserts that are riveted in place.  Additionally, the roof is red, which is a color I have never observed on this piece.

 

 

 

 

 

The 214 was basically the later and lighted version of the 92 Watchmans Tower, which I have found in these colors previously.

 

 

 

 

I have also found the 214 Watchman's Tower in these variations previously.

 

 

 

 

 

It appears likely that the red roof of my odd variation was something that was normally used on the 236 Crossing Set, as seen below.

 

 

The 235 Water Tank set also used a red roof, but it did not feature the cutout for the post.

 

 

However, the truly odd feature of my unusual variation is the windows inserts that are riveted in place.  A friend reported that he has one of these early 214 Watchman's Towers with window inserts, but they are not riveted in place in his variation. 

 

NWL

[Nationwidelines]

Here is a very unusual boxed item. 

Box 1127 - this number is only listed in the 1925 Dealer's Price List and is listed as a "Car Assortment".

There are actually 3 listings under Car Assortments, item 1125, 1126, and 1127.  All of the Car Assortments are comprised of 6 differing cars, packed in one box.  The lower the number, the lower the priced item. 

Car Assortment 1127 is listed as comprising (1105-1106-(2)-1115-1116-1117) and priced at $4.20.

These boxes are somewhat rare to find and note below the 1127 number is a faint rubberstamp indicating "1/2 Dozen".

 

 

I know that Lionel sold similar items, but Flyer appears to have listed these items only in 1925.  I did note that the price lists from c. 1923-1924 indicate that 6 similarly priced cars could be packaged together in one box, but there is no number listed for such items.

 

Anyway, here is a picture of the contents.

 

 

NWL

[Northwoods Flyer]

We have had some great postings recently. 

 

NationWideLines I am intrigued by the number of variations that you have been able to find. I recognize some of the variations of the Watchman’s Tower.  I particularly like the one with the tan tower and base. 

 

I will have to survey my examples.  I know I have some with the alternate lithographed building. 

 

The boxed car assortment is a real find.  I didn’t know that Flyer ever offered something like that. It would be interesting to document what came in each of the assortments.  I wonder why Flyer didn’t continue to offer the assortments.  Lionel certainly found it lucrative enough to continue the practice. 

 

Vintageflyer, you have documented some interesting variations of the Type XXI Streamlined Pennsylvania engine. I only have one example in my collection that heads up a freight set. It is the one that I inherited as part of our family trains. 

 

 

 

I’ve been looking for another one to head up the passenger set from the same year.  Now I have some additional information to help me in my hunt.

 

Mersenne6, I really like the story from Louis Hertz.  I think it has been repeated many times.  I know that my entry into the collecting phase of toy trains began when I went to the local hobby shop in 1982 to add some track and perhaps an engine to the trains that I brought from home to put around the Christmas tree for my wife’s and my first Christmas together.  And as they say, the rest is history. 

The entries on this page are a good example of why I started this thread in the first place.  There is so much information to share about the history of American Flyer and its producion of toys through the years.  It amazes me that there is always something new to share.  Thanks to everyone who reads the thread and contribues.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[Nationwidelines]

Northwoods Flyer

 

The boxed car assortment is a real find.  I didn’t know that Flyer ever offered something like that. It would be interesting to document what came in each of the assortments.  I wonder why Flyer didn’t continue to offer the assortments.  Lionel certainly found it lucrative enough to continue the practice. 

 

 

Northwoods,

 

Welcome to the crazy world that I live in.  There are a number of weird variations of items out there that I am aware of and still searching for.  I have known about the Car Assortment boxes for several years, after seeing a couple of these boxes in a friend's collection.  It has simply been a waiting game for me to find one. 

 

Finding these odd variations is a matter of having the knowlege of what to look for, which means that one has to collect information, like dealer price lists, catalogs (both american flyer and wholesaler catalogs), going to York, and most importantly networking.

 

Happy New Year!

 

NWL

[Northwoods Flyer]

Nationwidelines

Northwoods,

Your Ambassador cars would be correct with either a 3117 or a 3187.  Due to the black trucks and brass air tanks on the Ambassador cars, my guess is that they date between 1928 and 1931.  They may be a bit earlier production (1928ish) due to the darker red roofs, which I know is a common characteristic of the earlier production cars.  I believe the earilest set of these cars came with an engine that was a darker red that matched the color of the roofs.

NWL

 

NationWideLines

Thanks for the help identifying the engine and car combination.  I think that I can safely say that I have set No. 1348 "The Ambassador" from 1928-1929.  

My 3117 is a darker red and it matches the roofs of the Ambassador cars.

All of the brass tags on the cars are correct and as you pointed out the brass tanks and black trucks are from the earler production.

Now all I have to do is find a 3198 steam engine in one of its variations to head up the "American Flyer Lines" plated cars and I will have a Smokey Mountain Set.  

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

 

 

 

[Northwoods Flyer]

I had the following come through the private message system from a newer member of the forum and I thought I would post it here.

1938 Zephyer?

• Hi group, Just before Christmas I was curios if an old AF train I had when I was a child might be for sale on EBay, well sure enough there it was and I bid on it and won! Now maybe some one can help me find out what year. I will give my best info. It is a five car set, Long version engine with reverse, there are no rivets one the roof as I have seen on other pix, it came with a whistle car the engine did not run but found the whistle car to be grounded to frame, after some minor adjustment so oil and a good cleaning she runs like new. Any help on year and parts would be great! Thanks

  
  zingerb51 

  Tue, Dec 30 2014 11:20 AM

• Hi zingerb51,

  to the thread

  Its nice to hear from you.  I'm not sure if you intended to send this to me privately or if your intention was to post it to the main thread.  It came to me as a private message.  

  The set you have was cataloged in 1936 as set 1760-RW.  It has the longer 9914 power car, 9911 baggage (with the whistle built into it), 2 X 9913 coaches and the 9912 observation.  The whistle requires the specially designed 4 rail track to operate.  The track has 40" diameter curves.  

  The same configuration of cars was available in 1937 and 1938, but the whistle in the baggage/combination car was dropped after 1936.  Its great that you could find a set similar to the one you had when you were a child.

  If you would like to post this same question to the main thread I will answer it there too, for everyone to read.   Is there any chance that you can take some photos of the set and post them?

  Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

  Northwoods Flyer

[zingerb51]

Hi group, Just before Christmas I was curios if an old AF train I had when I was a child might be for sale on EBay, well sure enough there it was and I bid on it and won! Now maybe some one can help me find out what year. I will give my best info. It is a five car set, Long version engine with reverse, there are no rivets one the roof as I have seen on other pix, it came with a whistle car the engine did not run but found the whistle car to be grounded to frame, after some minor adjustment so oil and a good cleaning she runs like new. Any help on year and parts would be great! Thanks

Hi zingerb51,

to the thread

Its nice to hear from you.  I'm not sure if you intended to send this to me privately or if your intention was to post it to the main thread.  It came to me as a private message.  

The set you have was cataloged in 1936 as set 1760-RW.  It has the longer 9914 power car, 9911 baggage (with the whistle built into it), 2 X 9913 coaches and the 9912 observation.  The whistle requires the specially designed 4 rail track to operate.  The track has 40" diameter curves.  

The same configuration of cars was available in 1937 and 1938, but the whistle in the baggage/combination car was dropped after 1936.  Its great that you could find a set similar to the one you had when you were a child.

If you would like to post this same question to the main thread I will answer it there too, for everyone to read.   Is there any chance that you can take some photos of the set and post them?

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[vintageflyer]

Hello folks,

     Here's more Prewar Flyer variations for your examination. I borrowed these photos from Ebay.

First car is I believe, to be an early variation of the 3219 Dump car.

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/3219DumpEarly_zps4303c8fa.jpg.html?sort=3&o=9

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/3219Dump3_zps99c489cd.jpg.html?sort=3&o=6

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/3219Dump4_zps08e37c4c.jpg.html?sort=3&o=7

Sorry for the small pics, as I goofed up on the transfer  process. I have never found a dump car with this early frame variation. Note the caboose floor with the patent decal.

Next, some tank car variations from the first series enameled cars of 1928-29

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/3210tankearly1a_zpsdd4be5b6.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/3210tankearly1d_zpsfe9c463e.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/3210tankfirst3_zps910ad22b.jpg.html?sort=3&o=7

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/3210tankfirst3a_zps38e7243e.jpg.html?sort=3&o=8

The blue variation has been posted earlier, I believe by Northwoods.

How about some gondolas?

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/3207GondOrange_zps716b80fc.jpg.html?sort=3&o=14

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/3207GondOrange2_zps64e50c1a.jpg.html?sort=3&o=13

This light green version seems to match the roof color on some boxcars.

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/3207GondLtGreen_zps75105120.jpg.html?sort=3&o=12

This "shop worn" rubber stamped version is from my personal collection.

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/Shopworngondola_zps6fc95178.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4

Has anyone found these? A gray whistler loco (like a 401), decaled. Probably 1938? era. Not difficult to make one. Just swap motors. (I made one for myself to try it). I had the extra parts.

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/6inchlinkcab_zpsec2467a7.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/6inchlinkcab-2_zpsfc0e1b81.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

A late SIX inch caboose with link couplers. Has anyone found a set like this? I saw a group of three cars with links years ago but did not buy them. I know the factory sold change-over kits.

How about a red framed 3/16-O log car. The bottom shot tells me that this was intended to be a crane (note the hole in the floor center).

I am anxious to see responses.  What a great forum!

          Prewar Flyer

 

 

 

 

[vintageflyer]

Hi again folks,

    I would like input and opinion on these cars from my collection.

 Please note.

 1) The hole where the earlier type VII style coupler has been removed, especially on the flat car through the floor decal.

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/100_3032_zps849ac3fa.jpg.html?sort=3&o=21

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/100_3035_zps30beb9f2.jpg.html?sort=3&o=19

2) The trucks and type X couplers to me indicate the cars to be of 1938 vintage, but the colors seem to indicate earlier years. The truck rivets on all cars have thin tin plated washers under the rivet crimp on the top side of the floors.

http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/tstkmorsey/media/100_3033_zps9127b6a1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=20

 

   I wonder if they were re-trucked at the factory when Mr. Gilbert took control. Or maybe changed over with factory kits by repair stations or private owners. The parts are identical on all four cars.  All three tank cars are identical and have come from different sources.

Does anyone have a factory retruck kit in their collection?

Are the thin washers included in the kit with the rivets?

Anyone have similar cars in their collection?

    Let's hear it.

                                        Prewar Flyer

 

[Nationwidelines]

When Gilbert took over American Flyer they did re-truck some of the earlier cars and in particular I know that the orange log car was one of the cars that was re-trucked. 

I am not positive on the green tank cars, but I know that the green on green 1938 trucked tank car is a correct car.  It is harder to find than the more typical light green frame and silver tank.

I personally have a very unusual box car that was sold as a separate sale item and is an earlier color car that has been factory re-trucked. 

 

 

Here is another green on green tank that came to me with the boxcar pictured above.

 

NWL

 

 

[Nationwidelines]

Vintage Flyer,

The photo of the orange tank car is very interesting.  I have never seen it before and have never heard of an orange tank car.  It is possible that it could be an early variation, as it is on a black frame, or it could be an older repaint, as it has wear.

The orange 3207 gondola is from 1931, based on original sets that I have seen with it and also with the 6.5 inch orange variation.

As for the 6 inch cars with link couplers, my experience is that the 6 inch cars never came from the factory with link couplers, so I am guessing that it has to be someone who did a truck coversion. 

I once owned a set of the rare 6 inch blue passenger cars from 1939 that had been converted to link couplers.  The ends of the frame were cut off in order for the link couplers to corner. 

The 6 inch cars, that are original, feature the earlier style (pre-1938) couplers in 1938 and in 1939 they feature the 1938 knuckle style coupler. 

 

NWL

[vintageflyer]

NWL,

      Thanks for your input. I saw the Orange tank only in photos on EBay. It's a shame that I could not look at it in person.

      The green '38 tanks that I have all have the same color trim as the photo that you posted. Finally, a constant in the prewar flyer world. 

     The '38 boxcar is great. I'll need to look a little closer for those. 

    You know when I started collecting the nine inch cars, I had bought a '39 #447 Hudson with freights. So I thought that I would find the rest of the '39 freight cars to make a nice display, and well you can figure out the rest. 

Always something interesting waiting to come along.

                    Prewar Flyer

      

[strainst]

Nationwidelines

Here is a very unusual boxed item. 

Box 1127 - this number is only listed in the 1925 Dealer's Price List and is listed as a "Car Assortment".

There are actually 3 listings under Car Assortments, item 1125, 1126, and 1127.  All of the Car Assortments are comprised of 6 differing cars, packed in one box.  The lower the number, the lower the priced item. 

Car Assortment 1127 is listed as comprising (1105-1106-(2)-1115-1116-1117) and priced at $4.20.

These boxes are somewhat rare to find and note below the 1127 number is a faint rubberstamp indicating "1/2 Dozen".

 

 

I know that Lionel sold similar items, but Flyer appears to have listed these items only in 1925.  I did note that the price lists from c. 1923-1924 indicate that 6 similarly priced cars could be packaged together in one box, but there is no number listed for such items.

 

Anyway, here is a picture of the contents.

 

 

NWL

 

What a fantastic find and a great addition to your collection.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

strainst

[Northwoods Flyer]

Vintage Flyer,

Thanks for posting the photos of the variations that you have identified.  I like that orange tank car.  It would be a great car to have in a collection. 

Just to follow up...

I have a green on green tank car from 1938 too.

 

Here is the more familiar silver on green tank car from 1938.

And here are the two variations from 1938.  BTW, I don't think the green on green variation from 1938 is documented in the Greenberg Guide.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[vintageflyer]

Northwoods,

    I am curious if your all green tank has the small washers that I mentioned in an earlier post. Do you see what looks like the '37 tab & slot coupler rivet was  removed?  Also, I would like to know if your silver/green car has them. I am thinking that the washers were added to strengthen the floors after the '37 style truck rivets were removed during the Gilbert change over mentioned by NWL. 

[Northwoods Flyer]

vintageflyer,

I checked my green on green tank car and it does indeed have the small washers under the head of the rivet fastening the truck to the frame.  Here are some photos.  They aren't the best, but I think you can see the washer.

The following photo shows that there was a tab and slot coupler fastened to the body with a rivet. You can just see the impression around the hole.

I think you have plenty of evidence to support the theory that Flyer replaced trucks and couplers on existing stock green on green tank cars.  I checked the silver on green tank car and it does not have the washer or any evidence that it had a different coupler

I took a look at my example of the orange lumber car and it shows that it had a different coupler before being retro-fitted with the "curly cue" type X sheet metal coupler.  There are no washers under the head of the rivet holding the trucks on, but the truck/rivet are a bit loose in the hole.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

 

 

[vintageflyer]

So, is it safe to call these cars; medium green tank, orange flat, and NWL's box car, "Gilbert transition cars" ?  :)

[Northwoods Flyer]

vintage flyer,

I think it would be safe to call them Gilbert transition cars. The cars themselves are obviously Chicago era designed.  I think that the type XII trucks are also Chicago era design, but the design of the Type X "curley cue" sheet metal coupler is attributed to Gilbert.

Its interesting to see that Gilbert went through the time, effort and expense to re-truck some of the remaining Chicago stock and then go on to replace the couplers. Your observations of these cars made me curious about other cars from that era.  I checked the cars in my collection that have the Type X sheet metal couplers and discoverd that my  3212 Bordens Milk car also has the impression from an earlier tab and slot coupler in the underside of the floor. I couldn't check the method of attaching the car body to the truck because it is hidden by the body of the car itself.  I also observed something interesting about my 3207 sand cars.  The medium green sand car also has the coupler impression and the truck is held on with a very large headed rivet. I suppose that it could have been done at home by a previous owner.  The apple green sand car does not have the coupler impression and the trucks are fastened to the body with the smaller sized rivet.  

I only have one example of each of these cars, so I would appreciate hearing from others who might have these re-trucked cars.

So, we have multiple examples of this retro-fitting by Gilbert of the (a) medium green 3210 tank car, the (b) orange 3216 lumber car and the (c) seperate sale 3208 Box car. (Is there more than the one example of the Box car in NWL's collection?)

We also have one example of the 3212 Bordens Milk car and one example of the 3207 medium green sand car.

Thanks for your observations.  The hunt goes on.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[Nationwidelines]

I have also seen one other odd color tank car, I do not recall the details, but think it was green tank on blue frame, that had evidence of the trucks being replaced with 1938 trucks and couplers. 

As for the unusual cream box car in my collection, it is the only one I have ever observed and when I told a friend, who only collects pre-war gilbert items, he was astounded by the car. 

I have had it for about a year and it came from the original owner's family out of a local estate along with several other 1938 freights (including the green tank on green frame car in my collection) that were virtually unusued and in their original boxes, a boxed 1937 hudson streamline passenger set (also in my collection) and a boxed Flying Colonel set (that is in a friend's collection). 

The freights out of this sale appeared to be separate sale items, as opposed to being from a set, as one car had a home-made wire adapter to couple to the 1937 Hudson tender. 

 

NWL

 

[LL675]

beautiful Flyer guys!

[Nationwidelines]

Here is an interesting one, a Nation Wide Lines boxed set, which features many of the same components as the Skylark set of 1931.

 

 

 

The set differs from the Skylark set in that it is missing the 3 signals that normally are found in the Skylark set.  I am guessing that possibly these signals were not included in the Nation Wide Lines sets in an effort to reduce the price.  The Skylark set was cataloged with a retail price of $3.00 and the price tag on my set indicates $1.98.

 

Interestingly, I have another Nation Wide Lines windup set with tunnel and station that came to me from the original owner's daughter and it too was missing the signals that would normally be found in the American Flyer set with similar cars and station and tunnel.

 

NWL

[strainst]

American Flyer Erector Set

I have come across an American Flyer Erector Set in the blue metal case from the late 30's and early 40's.  It is incomplete and missing the American Flyer locomotive and transformer.  I have been able to find a little information on this set.  The first year I think it came with  a 1688-3315 Type IX locomotive.  The next two years, the set came with a 401 Type XX locomotive and the last two years it came with the 556 Royal Blue locomotive.  Is there a way to determine which set I have so I know which locomotive to look for to complete this set?  Also is there a site where I can get an inventory of the erector pieces contained in these sets to see what else I may be missing?  Thanks

 

Dennis Strickland (strainst)

[Northwoods Flyer]

 

 

Celebrating 7 years

  

of

  

Pre War American Flyer 

  

Trains and Pictures

 

Seven years ago today I was sitting in my train room in front of my computer trying to decide what I would say in the first entry to this thread.  I had been lurking on this site and several other toy train sites and I decided that it was time to jump in and participate.  But what would I write about?  I had been collecting American Flyer trains for most of my life. The first phase of my collecting had been focused on Gilbert American Flyer S gauge. At that time I had shifted my focus to the Pre War American Flyer trains made in Chicago. I decided to research the pieces of Pre War Flyer that had come to me through the family.  I was fortunate to have some resource books in my library but I discovered that there wasn't very much readily available online.  So I decided to offer an invitation to others to post photos of the items that they owned. I made the first post and sat back and wondered if anyone would respond.

 

Well, here we are 7 years later with over 1400 posts to this thread from dozens of contributors.  I am continually amazed by the photos posted and the information shared, as well as the new discoveries about American Flyer production.  And so I once again offer my "Thank You" to those who have posted a photo, or offered an insight, or asked a question, or answered a question, or just come to read and learn about Pre War American Flyer trains. If you have been a lurker I invite you to become a participant.  There is still much to learn and share about American Flyer.

 

Thanks again Kalmbach for providing a free forum where folks can gather around a common interest. There are some very friendly and helpful people who gather here.

 

In keeping with the 7th anniversary, here are some photos of 7 variations of the Steeple Cab design.

 

1)      1201

 

 

2)   1218

 

 

3)   1218

 

 

4)    1270

 

 

5)   3103

 

 

6)   3110

 

 

7)   3110

 

 

It looks like I have the makings of some entries on Steeple Cabs here. 

 

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer