Pre War American Flyer Pictures - An Invitation

[Northwoods Flyer]

Christmas List 1929

The Flyer catalog in 1929 had some great new trains and some old favorites that had been there for years.  Children looking at that catalog and dreaming of wonderful trains and toys under the tree might have had those dreams shaken by the situation in the world around them.  Many children must have heard their parents talking in hushed tones about the economic changes taking place and the scary thing that had happened in November of that year.  In the midst of all those dreams and hopes the stock market took a huge drop, and people everywhere were losing jobs.  If you had been hoping for a top of the line Ambassador set that year, you might have gone back to the catalog to modify your requests to Santa to get more bang for your buck.  Instead of paying $21.00 for the Ambassador, you might have chosen The Bluebird, a complete railroad system.

 

For $15.50 you could get an engine, three cars, a tunnel, a semaphore, and a station.  It would be hard for anyone to deny that you were being frugal - and getting a great value for your money.

 

If you were lucky The Bluebird might just have shown up under your tree that year. 

 

 

It might be the last train you would get for a long time.

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby.

 

Northwoods Flyer

[mersenne6]

 

  Christmas Day 1933

     You had been pouring over the Flyer catalog since September and you had spent endless hours looking at the illustrations. Twice, when Dad had to go downtown, you had gone with him and visited the local hardware store with the train display.  You had examined the various trains on the shelves as well as those that were running in the window display and while every one of them looked great it was the passenger set with the engine with the ringing bell that had really caught your eye. /

 

 

    In addition to the ringing bell the Highlander set had illuminated passenger cars and that, as far as you were concerned, made Set #1343RT the most interesting set offered.  The tradition at your house was that Santa would leave the main present under the tree, set up and unwrapped.  When you came down the steps that morning and turned the corner into the living room - there it was, set up and ready to roll.  You could hardly wait for nightfall when you could run the train with the room lights off so you could lie down on the carpet with your head next to the rails and watch your bell ringing, lighted train boom past./

 

[mersenne6]

 

  Christmas 1930

     The first page of the 1930 catalog highlighted Set #1316 The Clipper - a freight set headed by #3103 an upgrade of the #1218 steeple cab.  #3103 had a beefed up chassis - sheet metal sides riveted to red-painted cast iron pilots.  The cab sported brass trim in the form of brass oval nameplates and stamped brass door hand rails. The engine was painted a bright red and had either gold or yellow window trim.  A brass bell and pantograph and an operating headlight completed the engine.

 

 

  The catalog cut also hinted at the planned upgrade of the boxcar which "sort of" happened.  The litho treatment of the car, besides changing from red to yellow was also supposed to reflect a more prototypical look.  Gone from the illustration was the winged engine logo as well as the words "American Flyer" across the top of the car. 

 

  What actually happened was the following:  The winged engine logo remained and the type font for the lettering on the car side changed - as did the number of lines of car reporting marks.  In order to "remove" the lettering at the top of the car adjustments were made to the way the litho was cut from the sheet metal.  This change caused the lettering on the car side to register higher on the car side. Thus, when the roof was attached the words "American Flyer" were obscured.

 

  The set included a number of extras - a tunnel, a manually operated banjo signal, a grade crossing warning and a small suburban station.  These along with the oval of track provided the new railroad magnate with an instant empire.

 

 

 

[mersenne6]

 

   Christmas 1925

     The Flyer Catalog for 1925 had some offerings that were improvements over those from the year before.  One of these improvements was Set #1202.  It was the replacement for Set #1201 from 1924.  The 1924 set was headed by engine #1201 a steeple cab engine without a headlight.  In 1925 Flyer replaced #1201 with #1218, a steeple cab identical in construction with #1201 except that it had a working headlight. 

  #1218 was not new. It had been around since 1920 and 1925 would be the last year it was offered.  Most of the #1218's were black with either red or yellow enameled window frames, however, there were other colors and, in the case of set #1202 the engine could be purchased in either black or dark green.

  As was typical for the day the illustration on the set box was something of an exaggeration with respect to contents.

 

 However, #1218 was a cab type electric outline locomotive and it was pulling a baggage car and a coach.  What makes set #1202 interesting today and what probably made it interesting in 1925 was the prototypical look of the passenger car lithography.  The baggage car sported the GN goat logo and the passenger car bore the name of the then top-of-the-line GN passenger train - The Oriental Limited. 

 

  The engine with its operating headlight, the oval of track, and the consist made for an interesting train that possessed elements of the real thing and it would certainly have been a welcome site under the Christmas tree that December of 1925.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[QueensNY]

hey Northwood,

Have a question for you. I have a motor it's an 4644 af standard gauge. For the life of me i cant find a wire diagram for it. would you by any chance know how to wire this motor? Or maybe have a picture of one of yours? Thanks for any help.

[Northwoods Flyer]

Christmas List 1928

If you were a child looking at the American Flyer Catalog before Christmas 80 years ago there would have been many things to fill your head with dreams and wishes.  There were trains that you could wind up, trains that were large enough to fill a room, trains that were a bit smaller but were all new called the Rainbow Line, accessories to keep you busy on the railroad for hours and Structo Toys.

It was a small group of children that could hope for a President's Special to be waiting for them under the tree, so just maybe you could hope for the new train in Wide Gauge called The Hamiltonian.  In its color of Victory Red with all of the brass accents it was a breathtaking sight.

 

 

If you were the child of the town banker or your dad owned the General Store in town you might see that train on Christmas morning.  But if you happened to be a friend of the that child, you would probably get to see it running around his tree later on Christmas day or the day after.  Even if it wasn't yours it would be a sight to see; all 5 feet 3 inches of it.

 

 

 

 

If you were willing to settle for something a bit smaller you could have asked for something from the Narrow Gauge line.  All new for that year was The Potomac  set.

 

 

While just under 3 feet in length and no match for The Hamiltonian.  Its colors of Rookie Tan and Emerald Green would have looked great speeding around under the tree on the parlor floor.

 

 

 

 

Who says it was easier being a kid 80 years ago?  It would have been a tough choice to pick what to ask for from the catalog that year.

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

 

Northwoods Flyer

 

 

 

[mersenne6]

Christmas 1915  

The year 1915 had seen many changes at American Flyer.  They had started using the Winged Engine herald and they had also applied for copyright protection for same.  They had moved to new quarters at South Halsted Street in Chicago where they would stay until the purchase by A.C. Gilbert in 1938 and they had started making clockwork motors based on their own design as opposed to those based on Hafner’s.  

 

They had also joined the competition (Ives and Lionel) and begun advertising in children’s magazines like American Boy.  The ad extolled the virtues of the new AF motors –

  

“Winds easier, runs farther, last longer.  The engines and cars are beautifully lithographed in bright colors.  They don’t cost much. You can get a dandy train, with engine, cars and track complete for $1. Or you can pay as much as you like, up to $10.

  Ask For One For Christmas” 

 

 

 

  At a $1.50 the M1X was a step or two above the lowest priced train offered that year.  It came, as advertised, with engine, a car, and track. 

 

  The loop of track (eight curved and two straight) was a modest empire and when you added the station (Grandma could always be counted on to provide that all important extra) the end result was a small rail empire that hopefully brought you a great deal of joy and fired your imagination.

  

 

[mersenne6]

Christmas 1938 List - Addendum

    Even though you and your friend down the street thought trains (and particularly American Flyer trains in the 1938 Catalog) were the most interesting things in the world it didn't mean the two of you were in exact agreement with respect to types of trains.  He always seemed to have more of an interest in freight trains whereas you thought nothing could compare to those crack passenger trains you would see roaring through the grade crossing you had to traverse every day on your way to school.   Well, not to worry, on that same page of the 1938 catalog there was something for each of you.  In your case it was the No. 1 Passenger set

 

 

  He had asked for the freight set and you (you lucky dog) had asked for the passenger train.  When you opened up the box and were confronted with all of that crackle gray, copper, brass, and red you just couldn't believe what you were seeing.

 

 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

It has been a while since I've posted any pics here and I have aquired some interesting additions

593 Signal Tower

748 Footbridge

Track Gang

793 Union Station (non-talking)

769A

750 Tresel Bridge

768 Oil Supply Depot

I really like this thread.  It is like a muesum tour!

Jim

[Northwoods Flyer]

Christmas List 1927

Children pouring over the 1927 Flyer Catalog had many choices to fuel their dreams of what would be waiting for them under the tree on Christmas morning.  Both the Wide Gauge and Narrow Gauge lines had many new offerings.  The trains pictured in the catalog art were a visual delight to the eyes.

One that caught the eye of many children was the bright orange The Oriental Limited.

When it showed up under the tree carrying passengers and baggage from town to town it brought many a "Wow" to the lips of its new owner.

 

 

It had some great details like the brass identification tags and a bell and a light and a pantograph.

 

 

 

What kids of that time didn't know was that while The Oriental Limited would appear in catalogs for several years, this was the only year that the lithography would have red windows on the engine and all of the cars.  In the following years the windows would become various shades of green, and it would be pulled by a different engine.

 

 

The Oriental Limited provide easy access to neighboring towns for all the inhabitants of Christmas Town. It must have been pretty busy during the holidays.

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

 

Northwoods Flyer

 

[Northwoods Flyer]

1926 Christmas List

The 1926 catalog had a number of great looking trains in both Narrow and Wide Gauge.  Many of the Narrow Gauge sets came with accessories like stations and tunnels and signals.  The Wide Gauge line was headed by the tan President's Special. There were other Wide Gauge sets as well and some of them were very appealing. 

Consider the All-American Limited

 

It had a full page spread that described the virtues of each car.

 

 

If Santa granted your request there would have been an impressive addition to your railroad empire under the tree:

 Set #1433  for 1926

 

 

 

 

 

 

You would have needed some space in the front parlor to run this impressive set.

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby,

 

Northwoods Flyer

 

 

[Northwoods Flyer]

1938 Christmas List

In 1938 if you had the American Flyer Catalog you might have added the No.2 Freight set to your list for Santa

 

It was a sharp looking set and had some fun cars in it.  And the princely sum of $5.95 made every one of its 45" even more attractive.

 

 

You probably would not have noticed that your favorite train company was now owned by someone else and that your trains were coming from Connecticut instead of Chicago.  You might have noticed that the newer models of trains shown at the front of the catalog looked different from the ones you had seen there over the last couple of Christmases.  You may not have noticed that the trains were travelling on a different type of wheels because the track looked the same.

 

All of that would have faded into the background when you opened that big heavy box on Christmas morning and discovered this waiting for you:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thought might be on your mind:  "Its good to be a kid"

 

 

1938 - A very good year

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

 

Northwoods Flyer

 

 

[QueensNY]

thanks for the response northwoods. I will send him an e-mail and see if he has it. If not i start a new post.

[Northwoods Flyer]

Hi Hank,

I'm glad you are enjoying the postings. I have Eric Trickel's Replacement Parts for PreWar Trains  -  Spring 2008  Catalog.  He has two pages of parts for 3/16" O Gauge equipment.    His address is:

541 North Charlotte Street                                                                                                              

Pottstown PA  19464

email:  TRICKELCASTPARTS@ YAHOO.COM

As I mentioned above I am not a knowledgeable source for replacement parts.  There may be other suppliers that other folks on the forum may be aware of.

Northwoods Flyer

[3railphillyoperator]

Hi All,

 

I joined this group awile back and have enjoyed the informative postings. Recently, the name Eric Trickle was mentioned as a supplier of American Flyer parts. Can anyone supply his address and if there is an e-mail or .com site for his goods?

My specialty is in 3/16th O and have suffered long waits at my local hobby shop for simple items like coupler repairs. Hopping to speed the process.

Hank Betz

Warrington, PA

[Northwoods Flyer]

Greetings QueensNY,

Unfortunately I am not a good resource for finding parts for American Flyer items.  I have not done any repair or restoration on items in my collection. I am waiting for my retirement years to do that.  I know that there are parts suppliers that other forum members have used.  Eric Trickel has a catalog of items, and I have that, but I didn't see the part you are looking for.  You might consider starting another thread with this question to catch the attention of other forum members.

 Good Luck in your search,

Northwoods Flyer

[QueensNY]

Northwood,

would you know where one would be able to get a brush plate fot a 4692 standard gauge Af?

thanks

[Northwoods Flyer]

New Jeffersonian set   1928-1931

One of the things that I enjoy about having a collection is going through all the boxes stored under the train table and finding things I only barely remember having.  Each time I open a box it is a little like Christmas.  I had that experience recently as I was looking for items to display for the Christmas layout.  The set pictured in the entry above produced that kind of experience.  Of course I couldn't just stop there.  I also came across some other "goodies"  including this set:

This is the New Jeffersonian  that Flyer cataloged from 1928 thru 1931.

 

It replaced the Jeffersonian set containing a 3015 and the Illini cars which is pictured a few entries back.  This set has the #3115 box cab electric engine,

 

 

 

 

and the 9 1/2 inch enameled passenger cars.  There are a number of variations of these cars.  I believe these are some of the early ones.  They all have "Golden State"  plates above the windows and the individual brass plates identifying each car.

 

3280 Baggage

 

 

3281 Pullman

 

 

3282 Observation

 

 

It is missing its "Flyer Lines" end tab on the observation platform.

 

 

I really enjoy this set.  I think of it as a younger sibling to Flyer's Wide Gauge President's Special in the same colors.  I keep hoping that if I feed it well and take good care of it that it will grow up into a full size President's Special.

 

Ah well, I guess its still good to have Christmas dreams and wishes.

 

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby,

 

Northwoods Flyer

 

[Northwoods Flyer]

Set #1220   from  1926

The other day I started going through some boxes looking for items to put on the Christmas layout and I ran across this set that I picked up a short time ago.

 

It appeared to be an original set.  The colors on the 1218 Steeple Cab and the three cars are a very good match.  The amount of wear on the cars and engine is consistent across all of them.  The units also have the same garter loop couplers.

 

 

With mersenne6's help we identified this set as #1220 from the 1925 catalog.  I don't have the catalogs going back that far but mersenne was kind enough to do some research for me.

 

The catalog lists the set as having the 1218 Steeple cab engine

 

 

 

 

1205 baggage

1306 pullman

1207 observation

 

 

The coaches are lighted.  They have an interesting method of lighting which involves a track pickup with a wire running to a Fahnstock clip in the floor of the car.

 

 

I think it will make a fun set running around the Christmas tree this year.

 

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby,

 

Northwoods Flyer

 

 

[Northwoods Flyer]

The Other Freight Cars  -  Addendum C

Wide Gauge  Machinery Car and Log Car

American Flyer had similar cars in their Wide Gauge Line.  The Machinery Car was numbered 4022 and the Log Car was numbered 4023.  According to Greenberg there are several variations of both.  There are variations in blue and some marked for Nation Wide Lines which is the name that Flyer sold trains under through J.C.Penny.

This is the 4022 Machinery Car

 

It has two brass tags on the turquoise blue side bars.  One showing "Built by American Flyer Lines"

 

 

And the other showing the number of the car.  

 

 

Notice that this car has one brake wheel with a black stanchion, brass U shaped steps, and flexible trucks.

 

 

The 4023 Log Car has orange side bars and two identical brass plates per side.  It also has two brake wheels with orange stanchions.

 

 

Notice that the U shaped step is painted grey on the Log Cars.  It also has fixed trucks.

 

 

Identifying numbers are rubber stamped on the bottom of the 4023.  It also has the patent information decal present.

 

 

The lumber load is a solid block of wood that is scribed to look like individual timbers, just like on the O gauge version.

 

 

Here are a couple of photos to show the size comparison between the Narrow (O gauge, 9 1/2 inches) and Wide Gauge (14 inches) Machinery car,

 

 

 

And the Narrow (O gauge 6 1/2" and 9 1/2") and Wide Gauge (14 inch) Lumber Cars.

 

 

 

 

Once again you can see how Flyer played with variations on a theme over the years of production.

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby,

 

Northwoods Flyer

 

 

 

 

[Northwoods Flyer]

The Other Freight Cars -  Addendum B

As mersenne6 has illustrated there were a number of variation to the 3206/3216 Machinery/Log car:

 

"#3206/3216 Machinery car/Log car

  The machinery car was cataloged from 1928-35 whereas the log car was cataloged from 1930-38.  Except for identifying numbers the basic cars are identical.  They came with either one or two crosspieces. The log car has lumber (unfinished individual pieces) and wire retainers whereas the machinery car doesn’t.  However, as can be seen in the picture below, Flyer would make do with what was on hand.  The car has brass plates #3206, lumber, and wire.

    "

Greenberg lists 10 different variations of the log car and 3 variations of the machinery car.

Here are a few additional variations; let me post them in what I think is chronological order:

This version is similar to the one mersenne6 posted above, exept that it has two "American Flyer Lines" brass tabs.

Note the two brake wheels and type VII trucks

 

It is rubber stamped on the bottom with 3216 and the inspector number

 

 

Here is a version with red crosspieces, two brake wheels and type VIII trucks

 

 

 

This one was rubberstamped by inspector 4

 

Here are the two versions (green and orange) with one crosspiece, one brakewheel and type VIII trucks

 

 

 

As mersenne6 noted the 3206 machinery car is basically the same as the lumber car without a load.  I believe that this is a machinery car because there is almost no wear to the stantions that hold the lumber.  The only way to really tell is if the car is rubber stamped.  Unfortunately mine is not rubber stamped.

 

The 1939 versions have type XII trucks and type X couplers (the curly cue coupler).  It came in both green and orange.

 

 

 

 

When Gilbert took over production they changed the number of the log car to #406.  The couplers changed to the link and pin version.  This example has a later knuckle coupler that my father put on instead of the original link and pin.  It has two crosspieces.

 

 

Another view of the original box.

 

 

The 406 also came with one crosspiece.  This one has lost the cast links but still has the pins.

 

 

You will notice that some of the cars illustrated here have lost the wire tire downs.  I think that is a testimony to the fact that they had great play value and children really did play with them.

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

 

Northwoods Flyer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mersenne6]

The Other Freight Cars V  

The Caboose 

 

Lithographed Cars

 

  Flyers initial set offering in 1910 did not include a caboose.   The 1914 Catalog shows a #528 Bing caboose with NYC markings.  According to Greenberg this version might have been offered earlier.  In any event neither Greenberg nor I have ever seen an original boxed set with this car.

 

 

 Catalog cut from 1914

 

 

 

#1111 – 5 ½ inch 

   In 1916 Flyer introduced #1111 in IC livery.  The litho treatment, cupola location, and other aspects of the car varied over the years.  The car was offered from 1916 – 1932.

 

  #1111 version with centered cupola

 

 

 

 

Comparison between Bing and Flyer

 

 

 

#1111 version with off center cupola and brass hand rails and ladders.   

     

  In 1917 Flyer took the basic litho of its B&O boxcar, added a roof with a cupola, and called this concoction a caboose – this was a one year only item.

 

 

 

  #1114/1117 – 6 ½ inch 

 

   Flyer introduced the #1114 in the 1919 catalog.  The car was lithoed with either #1114 or #1117.  The number difference was supposed to identify the 4 wheel and the 8 wheel configurations but, as was so often the case with Flyer, you can find 4 and 8 wheel versions of the caboose in either number.  The car, in various forms, was cataloged from 1919-1935.  Roof colors can be black, brown, green, orange, or peacock and it can be either smooth or ribbed.  The cupola can be found in red or brown litho (and yes, there can be a mismatch between the caboose litho and the cupola litho) or all enamel and it can either be found mounted as centered or offset on the roof.  The later versions can also be found with stamped brass handrails applied to the sides.

 

 Earliest version with high Marklin style trucks  

 Later version with litho brown cupola 

 

Brown cupola and embossed green roof. 

 

      #1127 

  Uncataloged caboose 1936-1937.  Available in either 4 or eight wheel.

 

 

Enameled Cars

  

 #3004/3014/3017/232 

 3004 – 4 wheel red body, roof, cupola, and cupola roof.  “American Flyer” decals across the letterboard and two smaller “American Flyer” decals below the windows.  Caboose is lighted.

 

 3014 – 4 wheel 1930-32, 1934-35.  4 wheel red body.  Body has embossing on sides and has vertical brass handrails.  Roof and cupola can be red or orange.  Markings can be either decals or silver stamped on sides with the car number rubber stamped on the bottom.

 

3017 – 1930-32, 34-35, 38.  Eight wheel car roof and cupola colors can be red, green, or orange.  Markings can be either decals or silver stampings and the car number can be found rubber stamped on the underside.

 

 Green roof and silver rubber stamping 

 

Orange roof and rubber stamping   

 Rubber stamp marking on underside of caboose.  

 

232 – late version of #3017 1939 only.

 

  3201/3211/411 - 9 ½ inch cars  

   All of these cars share the same stampings.  The differences are trucks, couplers, and markings which can be either brass plates, decals, or rubber stampings.  This caboose is usually found lighted. 

 

3201 – 1932 - non-illuminated, red body and darker red roof and/or cupola.

3211 – 1928-1938 – illuminated, red body and darker red roof, also red body and matching red roof.

411 - 1939-1940  - illuminated, red body and roof.

 

 Early version brass number tags darker red cupola  

 Later version decals and single color caboose and cupola. 

 

   

#536 – 5 inch 1933-1935 – Hummer construction.  This car came with or without a cupola.

 

 

 

[Northwoods Flyer]

The Other Freight Cars IV  - Addendum A

Here are some variations on the #3046  6.5" log cars.

This is the blue version that mersenne6 shows in his post.  Mine is quite dark and usually looks almost black.  It depends on the light that you view it in.

 

It has 3046 rubber stamped on the bottom.

 

 

This is the orange version with decal

 

 

It has a rubberstamping on the bottom and a patent decal

 

 

It also has the wood load that is one piece scribed to look like individual timbers.

 

 

A second orange version with a rubberstamped gold "American Flyer" on the side piece.

 

 

 

This version has the individual timbers, both of the orange versions are missing their wire tire downs.

 

 

In 1939 the 6.5" cars appeared in the catalog for the last time.  They were given new Type XII trucks and the Type X curly cue couplers.  The log car was given a new number too, it became the #228.  This one is missing its load.

 

 

 

Here are the four variations in my collection.

 

 

Northwoods Flyer

 

 

[mersenne6]

The Other Freight Cars IV 

 

Log Cars/Flat Cars/Machinery Cars

 

 5 ½ inch cars   241/M241 Log Car 

 

  The basic log car was introduced in 1910 and listed as being 5 inches long.  In the 1914 catalog this dimension was changed to 5 1/2.  The car was offered with and without a lumber load and was cataloged through 1924.  The lumber consisted of 4 separate pieces held in place with wires that attached to the side stakes. 

 

 

The second car of this length was #1141 which was cataloged from 1925-1930.  It too was black with metal stakes and a 4 log load.

 

  6 ½ inch cars #1106/1146 

 

  The first cars were #1106 (4 wheel) and #1146 (8 wheel).  #1106 was cataloged from 1928-1932 and #1146 was cataloged from 1928 to 1929.  #1146 had a single piece of wood milled to look like a stack of lumber.  This piece of wood is “held” in place with retaining wires attached to the side stakes.

 

 #1146 

 

   Note the solid piece of wood.   

 

#3006   

   Four wheel car Cataloged 1933-35.  The car has a black frame with brass journals and a single brake wheel.  The wood load intially consisted of individual pieces of lumber again held in place with retaining wires. Later versions had a single piece of wood cut to simulate a wood load.

 

 

 

#3006

 

 

    Note the individual pieces of wood.  

 

  #3046 

  Eight wheel car cataloged 1930-32, 1934-35.  Car came either with no wood, with separate pieces of wood or a single piece of wood milled to look like a lumber load.  The wood loads were held in place by wire retainers.  The uprights had a single crosspiece.  The crosspiece was painted red on the black cars with a rubber stamping of either “A.F.L.” or “3046”

   This car came in black, blue, orange, or green.  The blue, orange, and green cars were decaled “American Flyer” on the crosspiece.

 

Blue car - individual pieces of wood.   

  

 

9 ½ inch cars

  #3006  

     Yes, two different cars – same number.  The first 9 ½ inch car was cataloged from 1924-27.  It came with three different types of loads. The first version consisted of individual pieces of finished lumber - sanded and varnished. The second version consists of 6 pieces of unfinished wood that run the length of the car and the third is the same as the second but the pieces are short like the finished lumber load. 

 

 Finished lumber

Unfinished lumber - full car length

 

#3206/3216 Machinery car/Log car

   The machinery car was cataloged from 1928-35 whereas the log car was cataloged from 1930-38.  Except for identifying numbers the basic cars are identical.  They came with either one or two crosspieces. The log car has lumber (unfinished individual pieces) and wire retainers whereas the machinery car doesn’t.  However, as can be seen in the picture below, Flyer would make do with what was on hand.  The car has brass plates #3206, lumber, and wire.

 

   

Note the two crosspieces

 

  #406 

 Cataloged 1939.  Similar to #3216 except it had link and pin couplers.  Lumber load was a single piece of wood milled to look like a lumber load. Again the car could come with one or two crosspieces.

  

 

 Note the single crosspiece

 

 

#482 Gilbert 3/16" Lumber car

 

 

  This car is usually found with a load of logs however, it was also issued with a load of lumber. Both cars were identified as #482.

 

 

 

 

[Northwoods Flyer]

1927 Jeffersonian Set  #1306

In the 1927 catalog the top of the line Narrow Gauge set was the Jeffersonian

 

 

 

It was headed up by the 3015, which is classified as on of the large New York Central style box cab engines that Flyer marketed.

 

 

It only appeared this year and was made up of parts used in other engines marketed in previous years.  It uses the black on brass signs which were only used in the early years.

 

It uses a cast frame with great details like the sand barrels and hand rails.

 

 

 

The roof has unique cast in pantographs, bell, and headlights, even though the operating headlight itself is recessed in the front.

 

 

 

 

The Jeffersonian contained the 3000 baggage, classified as one of the Illini series.

 

 

The 3001 Illini pullman

 

 

and the 3001 Illini Observation.

 

 

 

 

Flyer referred to the color of the engine as thistle green.

 

 

Imagine laying on the living room floor on Christmas morning watching this beauty circle the tree.

 

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby 

 

Northwoods Flyer

 

 

 

 

[RockIsland52]

The Hiawatha is one of the more storied trains of the 1930s upper Midwest and represented one of the fastest steam engines ever built.  Just to get you started http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiawatha_(passenger_train)

I'd keep it and, because of its age, leave it unrestored.  But that's me.

Jack

[n1vets333]

 Thank you for the response, they are a cool litle set, I might just end up keeping them, I actuallt bought them with a box full of ho passenger cars. I seen another hiawatha engine in one of the price guides and I thought I might have had a rare find on my hands. Overall this is a cool little set. Its amazing with a little cleaning how this little guy runs.

[Northwoods Flyer]

Hi n1vets333,

  to the thread.  As your research has already told you the set that you have was an uncataloged offering from American Flyer some time in the 1936-1938 era.  It first appeared around 1936.  The engine came in two versions; a wind up version (which had two styles of wind up mechanism) and an electric version.  The engine had two different styles of back, a rounded back that was meant for passenger sets and a square back that was intended for freight sets.  It appears that the engines were found with either type of back with either type of car.  I would guess that is a result of Flyer using up existing stock.  The cars that are in your set are also uncataloged.  They came in two varieties, with either four wheels or eight wheels.  If you scroll up a bit on this thread you will see some examples of the eight wheel cars.  These sets must have been pretty popular and affordable because of their lower price. They show up pretty frequently.  Most of the cars that I have observed are in a condition similar to yours, so I am guessing that they were well loved and played with.

As far as value is concerned: you know that they are worth at least what you paid for them.  I do most of my purchasing on eBay and I think that with the exposure that items get on there it is a pretty good resource for what current market values are.  When I consider buying an item I watch what the same item sells for in different auctions.  I also set in my own mind what I am willing to pay for the item and what condition I will accept.  I don't pay a great deal of attention to price guides.  I don't have an example of this engine in my collection. However, in the photo that I mentioned above with the eight wheel cars, I purchased all of the components individually on eBay during the last year, to assemble that "set". I doubt that I have more than $125.00 invested in the whole set.  I watched auctions for quite a while until I found cars in a condition that I was willing to have and at prices I was willing to pay.

They are a nice example of Flyer's lower priced cars.  Good luck with what ever you decide to do with them.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby,

Northwoods Flyer

[n1vets333]

 

Here is a set I picked up this weekend. It has the  mechanican whistle you mentioned earlier in the post. I cleaned the wheels and pickups and she started running. Amazing. Any idea as to what this set is worth on the market, I would like to sell or trade it.

[Northwoods Flyer]

Jim,

What a great picture!  You could title it "Delight".

We have been a bit thin on pictures in this post recently.  I think there are a number of reasons for that, including learning to use the tools again and I have had some problems with Shutterfly lately.  So for today I decided to just post some pictures of trains.  I consider this my version of eye candy.    The "sets" that I am posting were not necessarily cataloged.  The only thing they have in common is that the trucks in each picture all match each other.  Enjoy!  

 

 

 

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby,

 

Northwoods Flyer