The things I have read put the black background tags as being used in 1928 for the first time. Who knows, this is Flyer afterall.
The switch that you posted is very interesting. From the use of the fiber board switch I would put as being fairly early.
As I said I am not very knowledgeable about track and switches. I wonder if there has ever been an article in the TCA Quarterly? If not, perhaps you have the makings of a research project and article. I have one pair of manual Wide Gauge switches that came with an early Pioneer set, but I am not sure where they are packed at the moment. My recollection is that they have a black switchstand with the place for a bulb.
Good luck in your search. I am sure that someone will jump in here soon.
Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
This is the closest I have found online to the switches I have but even they don't have the cover or lights.
I did think maybe they were after 1930 because the name plate is black with gold lettering, isn't that a sign?
Jon
Northwoods FlyerI went to my catalogs and checked the 1929 and 1930 track pages. The switches listed do not look like yours. (1929 Catalog)
JonEddy Northwoods Flyer, I haven't seen much info in this thread about switches. I recently found a reasonable copy of Greenberg's Guide to AF Wide gauge and they don't say much in there about switches either. In the Greenburg guide it does mention that Flyer used Lionel switches for a while but the switch frog design wasn't compatible with the Flyer pickup rollers. Do any of your catalogs show which switches were of Flyer design? The book said they built thier own starting in 1930. Below are a couple of pics of the two that I got from the Flyer stuff my dad gave me back in the 90's. One of them is missing the name plate but both are in pretty good shape, they just need some cleanup. Jon
Northwoods Flyer,
I haven't seen much info in this thread about switches. I recently found a reasonable copy of Greenberg's Guide to AF Wide gauge and they don't say much in there about switches either. In the Greenburg guide it does mention that Flyer used Lionel switches for a while but the switch frog design wasn't compatible with the Flyer pickup rollers. Do any of your catalogs show which switches were of Flyer design? The book said they built thier own starting in 1930. Below are a couple of pics of the two that I got from the Flyer stuff my dad gave me back in the 90's. One of them is missing the name plate but both are in pretty good shape, they just need some cleanup.
Jon,
I have to plead ignorance when it comes to the development of track and switches. I haven't seen any articles documenting their evolution either.
I went to my catalogs and checked the 1929 and 1930 track pages. The switches listed do not look like yours.
(1929 Catalog)
I don't have any references for Lionel Standard Gauge switches. It could be that your switches are Lionel made but tagged for American Flyer
The page before the one I posted above has these great track layouts.
Northwoods FlyerOh really. I wonder how long it will take you to start looking for these little darlings.
Well I do have the 3115, what's to say I haven't started looking for the cars. Mine doesn't have the cow catchers on it though. I really love the blue colors though.
JonEddy I have no idea what you two are talking about.
I have no idea what you two are talking about.
Oh really.
I wonder how long it will take you to start looking for these little darlings.
Feeling any temptations?
Penny Trains Northwoods Flyer bitten by the collecting bug. Welcome to the infected colony. one of us....one of us....one of us....
Northwoods Flyer bitten by the collecting bug. Welcome to the infected colony.
one of us....one of us....one of us....
Thanks Roy,
and thanks for reading. This thread has always been a cooperative effort between readers and posters.
Greg and AF crew - Yuz guz just keep knocking 'em outta the park!
Regards, Roy
Wide Gauge
4018 Automobile Car
1928 -1936
The closest that I can come to identifying this version is Schuweiler's variation (C) except that my example has fixed trucks.
This is what mine look like. The first one is the same as yours I believe.
4017 Sand Car
1928 -1936 (I suspect 1931-1936 because of grey rigid trucks with journals)
The closest that I can come to identifying this car is a combination of Schuweiler's version (E) and (F).
JonEddy,
I assume that this is the type of lever that you are referring to:
I went through the photos of my wide gauge engines and I believe that this is the only engine that I have with the rod that you describe. I agree with NationWideLines; I believe it is the lock out lever.
The hopper car above is a recent addition to my collection. They do tend to be less common, not always in the best of condition, and usually relatively expensive.
NationwidelinesIt sounds like a lockout lever for the engines that have auto-reverse.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Flyer-Std-Gauge-Vintage-Tinplate-0-4-0-Electric-Locomotive/392633881828
JonEddy Northwoods Flyer New Haven Style The New Haven was the second style introduced, in 1927. The numbers for this style include 4643, 4644, 4644 R/C 4653, 4654, 4684, 4743, 4753. I have several of these in my collection. Northwoods Flyer what is the little "pole" that sticks out next to the door on one end of some of the New Haven style Electrics engines? I have seen a few on eBay that have this but my 4743 and 4644 don't. I thought it might be the reversing mechanism like my 4694 steam engine has in the boiler area but I have seen them with this pole and the manual switch on top too. Jon
Northwoods Flyer New Haven Style The New Haven was the second style introduced, in 1927. The numbers for this style include 4643, 4644, 4644 R/C 4653, 4654, 4684, 4743, 4753. I have several of these in my collection.
Northwoods Flyer what is the little "pole" that sticks out next to the door on one end of some of the New Haven style Electrics engines? I have seen a few on eBay that have this but my 4743 and 4644 don't. I thought it might be the reversing mechanism like my 4694 steam engine has in the boiler area but I have seen them with this pole and the manual switch on top too.
It sounds like a lockout lever for the engines that have auto-reverse.
Northwoods, is this from your collection? It's in very nice shape! I really like the Hopper car but unfortunately they're always really expensive when I see them listed anywhere for sale.
4006 Hopper
1931 -1936
While the hopper was cataloged in 1927 it wasn't produced until 1931.
Schuweiler lists 4 variations. This is variation (A)
I can think of a lot worse collecting bugs to catch. If only they made a wide gauge version of the Bluebird.....
Northwoods Flyerbitten by the collecting bug. Welcome to the infected colony.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
I agree with Penny, Nice Find! I do believe you have been bitten by the collecting bug. Welcome to the infected colony.
4010 Tank Car
1928 - 1936
This is variation C
Blue bands and grey steps, set trucks, and two "AMMERICAN FLYER TANK LINES" plates per side
Nice find!
I found this 4644 at the Great American Train show here in St. Louis Saturday. There wasn't alot of prewar stuff at the show and he was selling it untested for less than eBay prices and it fired right up when I tested it. It looks like it may have had the roof rewired\repro light installed and maybe new wheels put on at some point too, but it runs like a champ! It looks like someone used some pop rivets on both ends to secure it too. Did all of the electric engines have two supports connecting the two sides together under the roof in the middle? If so then this one is missing them. Since this is a New Haven style like my 4743 project I can use it for reference when it comes to putting it back together so that makes this deal even sweeter.
4023 Log Car
1934 -1936
While the Log car is numbered 4023 Schuweiler lists this as variation (B) with 4022 plates. I suspect that this car is not completely original because it comes with 2 "6 Million Happy Owners" plates. While some cars appeared in this time era with 6 Million plates, this particular 6 Million plate was used in 1928 - 1929. Flyer using up older stock? Perhaps.
Northwoods Fyer
4020 Stock Car
Cataloged 1928 - 1936
14" Long, "Rolls Royce" two tone blue with a darker roof, door and door guides.
Simple. I like it.
It has been a very busy year. I enjoyed our meeting at York too. I hope to be able to meet again.
CTT knows where I am. I think that Pre War American Flyer is too small of a niche in the hobby for anyone to take the risk to publish the information available here. I know that there are a few folks who have printed out the entries and have them in notebooks. Besides, this thread provides an almost immediate way to exchange information.
Thanks again.
Would this work as a cover?
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