Our wide guage Flyer trains, there are two, both are box cabs, each with four wheels. I will have to check the numbers to tell which ones they are. Both were purchased in 1927. The wiring inside of the locos are rotted off, so for many years they have been static displays. That’s OK though, because I would rather keep them original then restore them. The scratches and rust give them character. The trains were purchased by my grandfather for his oldest son, who died at age 6 in 1932 of blood poisoning from an infected tooth. Grandma was pregnant with my father when his older brother died. My dad and his other two brothers played with the trains until they outgrew them, then Grandma packed them away. My father inherited them when my grandparents passed away, and Dad gave them to me 30 years ago. My oldest son is a toy train collector and operator, and big history buff. Everything will go to him in a few years. The two trains are not rare models, and are essentially junkers, but the fact that they have been in our family since new, and we have a complete history on them makes them special to us.
As for my PS1, and QSI equiped locomotives that seem to all have scrambled circuit boards from dead batteries, I am going to buy the kits to reboot them, install new batteries, and continue on with them as before. I may invest in a newer compatable transformer to operate them rather then trick them with a ZW, then run them with the Trainmaster system.
I’d be glad to tell you. The engine is a 1218 Steeple Cab. It has a pantograph and bell on the top. The headlight is mounted in the front of the body. I matched it up with two 1206 “Seattle” coaches. They both have “Chicago Milwaukee & St. Paul Ry” in the name boards.
Thanks for the info: Reason I asked is it looked like a pre-war standard gauge engine that was owned by my brother. I think it was Lionel. My mother let me play with it in the dirt in our backyard. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of it, and it was probably thrown away. [:O] I had wondered about those vestigial pantographs on it. Recently I saw similar mini pantographs on an old L5 1:1 scale engine, whose primary electric source was via a third rail. I think they were used for temporary situations where there was no 3rd rail.
Yes but I believe it requires the use of a TPC the same way as TMCC. Essentially the TPC controls the voltage, via the CAB-1/CAB-2, going to the track as opposed to you standing at the transformer moving the handles up-n-down.
Also with a TPC it is very easy to activate the “station announcements/freight yard sounds” instead of having to use the horn/bell button sequences.
Welcome aboard, Like you my first train set was the same set as your that I recived for Christmas in 1953. I was just a baby and when my Dad saw me light up at my Uncle Ed’s layout just before Christmas, he went out and bought it for me. I still have it and it is one of the engines around the tree each year, In fact I have the complete set in near perfect condition. It is still my favorite and will be passd down to the next generation to enjoy.
Thanks for your time and the valuable information. It also sounds like I can add that TPC thing to the TMCC equipment that I already own to properly operate PS1 loco’s. Wayne from J and W electronics said that one can install a 25 Volt non-polarized capacitor between the track wires and that will allow TMCC to operate PS1 equipment. TPC sounds like it will be a superior method though. I am going to try and keep the costs down while getting the layout together, then start adding new features as time and money permits.
That’s pretty cool that you still have your original set and it is in such nice condition. Mom always accused Dad of buying my set for himself, especially since I was three when he got it. Either way, I am glad that he bought it. My children have been instructed that after I am gone if they decide to sell some of the collection, to make sure that they keep my original train and Dad’s Flyer trains.
