I may be able to get my hands upon my fathers old American Flyer. I think it was built during the early 1950’s. It is a steamer that lit up in front as well as the caboose and it has the ability to smoke (although the wick is certainly dry by now). I know the engine is not currently working and may be in rough shape. I think the track is in good condition and there is quite a bit of it. There are also the freight cars, power pack, models, and a tunnel (the model billboards light up, too). I am not aware of the condition of the switches. This train probably has not run since sometime during the 1980’s. Too bad since it is such a great set!
I am wondering if it would be worth it to have this set shipped to me so I can begin reseaching the best way to get it up and running. So, here is the question: do any of you have any experience in repairing this sort of train? Is it uncommonly difficult. Are parts rare/expensive? Is it even worth the attempt?
The answer to your questions depends on condition of the equipment more than anything else. Some American Flyer models fetch very high prices as collector’s items, and some are so beaten up and worn out that no one will want it.
When I was growing up in the late 1940’s to late 1950’s, I had two of the American Flyer Royal Blue train sets. They were so worn out and beaten up that they probably wouldn’t be worth anything today.
You might want to post your questions over on the Classic Toy Trains forum instead of here, because that’s where most Lionel and American Flyer owners hang their hats.
My Dad built my brother and myself a layout with several engines and many cars. I have one of the engines, the FEF-1 Union Pacific Northern. It is not worth a great value, but it is worth having because if has been in my possesion for over fifty years.
If I were you, I would have the set shipped to you and keep it for the memories.
You’ll probably have better luck posting this in the Classic Toy Trains forum, I think. A can give you a bit of insight, as I offset the cost of my modern HO-gauge hobby by dealing in vintage trains.
Parts are generally available from specialty vendors and I’ve not found it all that difficult just to get sets running for hobby/play purposes. One common trick for non-running locos is simply to separate the body from the motor unit, soak it (the motor) overnight in paint thinner, let it dry, relube and try it out. About 90% of the non-runners I’ve dealt with came right back to life this way - they were basically just clogged up with years of grime, dirt and dust.
Now, realize that ‘restoring’ a train is different than just a “clean up” and “get running.” Many things you would do to ‘clean up and run’ an old train set will actually detract from it’s value as a collectible - in the not-that-likely event it even has much value. You will never ‘restore’ a train and have the same value as a mint original, but restoring to even have some value remain is a painstaking and precise process. e.g. you’ll need to buy old locos to get original parts rather than getting reproduction parts from the vendors I mention above…
On that note: a word of caution. These things are rarely worth anything close to what people think they are. Yes, original equipment in great condition with original boxes can be modestly valuable, and can be quite valuable if it’s a rare model/version - and mostly if it’s pre-war vintage. But the vast majority of “found it in the attic” stuff is neither rare nor in good enough condition to have much value. There’s simply too much of it out there and still available.
One quick way to judge era: If it’s made out of plastic, it’s vastly unlikely to have significant value.
My father-in-law had a huge set of Lionel trains from the early 1950’s. They were in great condition, packed up carefully in the original boxes since the late 1950’s. He had 4
I “grew up” on American Flyer so I have a lot of found memories with my cousins/then brothers (it was passed down) 4 x 8 layout. A few of the steamers were heavy cast iron. (I would bet that they weighed 7-8 lbs. each.)
I used to love running trains at night time with all the lights on the layout going. The track was steel so it tended to rust - especially in FL, where I grew up. Hopefully it will have been packed well. Getting your dad’s old train set up and going would be fun and personally sentimentally satisfying - as much for your kids as for you. (Even for you dad, if he’s still alive.)
Anyhow, keep us posted what you decide to do. I’m into HO now but I still enjoy looking at S-gauge.
In a way, I grew up with them too. Granted it was because of my uncle, and the layout in his basement. He gets them in all sorts of disrepair from train shows, flea markets, etc… some just need a quick cleaning of the contacts and maybe a little oil; others need a lot more work - though from what he tells me, most of those ones come down to the relay sticking…
They aren’t all that hard to get running again (benefit of using heavy/strong materials i guess), and I’ve tinkered on some of them to get them to work (well, with my uncle’s permission… and supervision… wouldn’t want to wreck something…). In my experience, the hardest part was getting the relays loose again…
If I could get the American Flyer trains my Dad bought for my first Christmas, I would pay any shipping regardless of condition. Some things have value beyond what you can sell them for.
Answering in reverse order:
*I would say it is definitely worth the attempt.
*Whether the parts are rare or expensive depends on the model but generally I would say no. The three or four locomotives that I had, contained many of the same parts. I am pretty certain these will have be reproduced by now for the many collectors there are out there.
It is not difficult to work on them at all. I was assembling and disassembling them when I was in 6th grade.
I really loved the American Flyer units that I used to have. I seriously regret selling them.
I got my first American Flyer train set for Christmas when I was 4 years old and a second when I was 6. I played with them until I was 14.
Then I forgot about the trains and started noticing girls. I was married at 20 years old and shortly thereafter decided that the trains were for kids so I gave them to my nephews who were in their early years. I was divorced 12 years later and never saw the trains again.
It’s now been 48 years since I got that first American Flyer set and I wish I had never given it away. If I were in your shoes knowing it was my Dad’s set I’d definately have it shipped to me. Those were great sets.
As far as what their worth these days, I have seen some steamers at shows going for as much as $130. Personally I,could never sell it if I were ever to get mine back.
That was my first train set. An over and under figure 8. If I recall right, it had a box car, gondola, tank car and caboose. Got it for Christmas when I was about 10 and ran it to death. Had to get the engine replaced once but eventually it broke again. After that, my brother and I went halves on a used 4x8 HO layout and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Spoke to my father today and he is going to box up the set and ship it to me this weekend. I am sure I will have specific questions when I begin looking at it. I have not seen this train for over 15 years now so I cant wait to get started working on it. Maybe I’ll post some pics upon receipt to see if you guys had something similar years ago.