Im not familiar with American Flyer Steam. What are the best ones made from 1946-1966?
Are there different features that separate these top engines from the rest?
Gilbert produced a large variety of steamers during that time span. I tend to shy away from the later production - the Pikemaster era - because the trains became more toy like in appearance as Gilbert struggled financially. The mid '50s were the height of their production in my opinion. You can find features like chugging, smoke, and headlights. It depends on the model number and the year of production. I personally like some of the lower end, entry level engines for reliability, like the 302, 303, or the 307. Include in the list the 312 and the 322. Some of these are just plain workhorses, and they are reliable. For real glitz and glamor though (and because she was the top of the line) I like the 336.
Maybe someone wants to start a thread displaying S gauge photos.
Northwoods Flyer
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
,
Welcome PereMarquette. Nice to see another Flyer collector in the northland.
The earlier post war i.e. pre 64 were best as noted above. The steamers were basically the same so performance variables were if you had traction tires, size of the armature, and if the shell was cast or plastic. The two step reversing unit seems to be more reliable, but I find it harder to repair.
Here are a few pics
290
303
350
300
283, 21085, 312 SIT
342, 282's
21088
350, 310, 283
282
356
Sturgen, do you have any 3/16's O in there?
All "S" American Flyer
Jim
I have four AF engines; a 283, a 295, a 21160 & a 21165, I like the 295 the best but i think it needs a new smoke unit as it smoked for a little bit one time when I ran it. Don't know if the 283 should smoke or not, the 21160 & 21165 don't smoke as they were made in the 60's. Also have the frieght cars that came with the 295, got that set first in 1968.
Lee F.
The 283 is a smoker. Before tearing into and repairing the smoke unit, try putting some fluid in the loco and letting it sit for a day or so then see if it will smoke. If not the repair is easy and is about $8.
Lionel's 773 hudson was by far the best postwar steamer made. Does American Flyer have the same type of engine or were there a lot of top engines?
Was the 336 the king or were the 312,313, and 326 right up there as well?
Jim: thanks for sharing the pictures of your AF fleet. The way you have them displayed came out really good in the photos and helped those of us less familiar with AF realize the contributions this marque has made on the hobby. What a collection!
John W: read with interest your preference for the Lionel 773, a position held by many. Any reason you picked it over the 736 Berkshires? I have neither but am always thinking about future acquisitions.
Thanks,
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
I dont own the 736 or 773 but do own a 726. The difference is that the 773 is scale or closer to scale than the berks. My 726, other than the wear and tear, is much nicer than any postwar steamer IMHO, BUT it doesnt have smoke or magne traction. Also is not as scaled as the hudson.
The berks are 2-8-4s but the 4-6-4 773 is longer. Make sure you go with the 1950 hudson because it came with the nicer tender (same one as the 726).
Thanks for the compliment. The glass shelves let the item being displayed be the focus.
The 336 and the 332 were the top dogs. I do not have either, but they are on my wish list. I've ran them before and a the 4-6-4 combos (325 for example) with the large motor can pull just as well, but look just a little less impressive. The 336 and 332 is expensive for my budget, but some day maybe.
At train shows I will typically run a 21160, or a 300 depending if going link or knuckle for extended periods because they are so reliable and trouble free. Neither are smokers so you don't need to worry about fluid run out, and if kept within the recomended amperage will run for hours.
jim,
I also love your layout. It is what gave me the flyer bug. Haven't purchased anything yet, but being a fan of the postwar era, I cant deny that AC Gilbert made some great trains as well.
Another question... when did they switch to knuckle couplers?
I think the first year for knucklecouplers was 1954.
This is what inspired my layout
John,
When I got started with Flyer, the first steamer I bought was a 290. They pull and smoke well, and they are affordable. Then, I bought two 312s followed by two variations of the 302. If you want a diesel passenger set, and want to break the bank, go after the North Coast Limited from 1956.
If I had to get one flyer passenger set, it would be the missouri pacific set. I love the colors on it. I also like the New haven Alcos and passenger cars.
From what Ive seen so far, my flyer "wishlist" would be:
772 water tower
gabe the lamplighter
oil drum loader
banford diner
seaboard coal loader
30B transformer
missouri pacific passenger set
new haven passenger set
operating baggage car (the one that grabs the mail bags as it passes by)
either a 336 or 326 steamer to pull the matching passenger cars for the operating baggage car OR just grab some basic rolling stock.
If anyone would like to make any donations It will be greatly appreciated...
I am with you, I've got a four piece 300 in the pic and a four piece 302, and the detail is great. There was a downgrade when they went to plastic. One of my 300 has brass buttons if I remember correct.
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