My current passion in collecting trains is Pre War American Flyer. I like the looks of Wide Gauge, Narrow Gauge, 3/16 O Gauge, accessories, or anything associated with Flyer.
I’d like to invite other Flyer fans to post pictures of the items they have in their collections or to ask questions. I am not an expert, but I know that there are folks with a wealth of knowledge and experience that do read and post. I enjoy seeing what others have gathered, and I never seem to get enough of seeing Flyer. I run into pictures in a number of threads, but I thought it would be nice to have a thread that was devoted entirely to Flyer pictures. I haven’t found a thread that does this yet.
Let me start it out with an overview of some of the Flyer items I have collected.
I will post pictures of individual items as I take them. I am just begining to learn how to use my digital camera too, so this will be a great way to practice.
I look forward to your responses.
Greg
Update on Missing Photos
Edit: 07/06/2021
I have begun the task of trying to restore the missing photos from the thread from my photo archive. This will be no small task, but what else do I ha
I don’t know how to tell you this, but this is the way collecting Flyer starts. One small piece of equipment comes into your posession from family or by a purchase and before you know it, your’re hooked! No one can own just one.
Good luck with your hunting. I’ve found that there really is a lot of Flyer out there to be had. Not as much as Lionel, but then the folks competing for it are smaller in number, except for the pieces that I want that I find on eBay. It seems like everyone wants those.
Thanks for posting your pics here again. From what I can see you have:
3315 2-4-2 cataloged 1932-1935 and again in 1937 this should have a ringing bell in it
3199 tender (the one behind the engine in the photo) Is the other tender in the background the same?
3025 wrecker (crane) 1936-1938. It looks like yours might be from '36 or '37
2-3207 sand cars(gondola) 1928-1938 these had a long run in the line
3208 box car 1928-1938 because of the trucks I am guessing its from later in its catalog life,the second one with the black roof is most likely a repainted roof
3216 log car 1930-1938 it originally had 4 wire tie downs that held the wood block in place
3211 caboose 1928-1938 but most likely 1935
3019 dump car 1934-1935 Flyer made a line of freight cars that were 9-1/2 inches long and then a smaller line that is about 6" long.
I think I got them all. Nice start to your Flyer collection
Who would have guessed that you were the heir to the A.C. Gilbert family properties! What a nice collection of accessories, and its great to see them on an operating layout. How long have you been working at collecting? Most of my S gauge Gilbert production is packed away for now. Your pictures make me want to go rummaging around in the boxes.
Hi, thanx. the front row was a set that came with the transformer. the back row has misc. cars I have picked up along the way. from what you said I’m guessing that is the way it came. the tender is from the other engine I have. it is very similar except for the reverse unit. the one in the set has an “E” unit the other has a nut on the front of the boiler that you pull out. both engines have the bell. the orange box car has a repainted roof and also has the later couplers. so in your opinion the set looks to be around 1935 give or take a bit? here are a few photos of the other engine:
My best guess is that the set in the front is from 1935 or 1937. I don’t have those catalogs yet so I can’t look up the set number or what was offered those years. The engine was offered in 1935 and 1937, and the trucks that are on the set were only used up until 1937. Maybe someone who has the catalogs can look it up. Most of the sets had names too.
I started collecting about 10 years ago. My addiction started when a friend of mine wanted to build a layout and asked me to build a table for him. That led to me getting a 300 loco and frieght set set, and I’ve not looked back!
I’m not a AF nut, but I am a prewar one. Anyway, here are two pictures I had from an auction a few years ago. The first is the Potomoc set pulled by a 3116 electric cab. Great tinplate colors.
The second is very interesting. It’s a celebration piece made in 1927 and given out to dealers and others to celebrate AF’s 20 years of business.
Thanks for the pictures. I really enjoy the variety of colors that the train manufacturers used in the Pre War era. The Potomac set has great colors, it has been one of my favorites. Flyer made a Wide Gauge train in the same colors named The Pocahontas with 14 inch cars and one set with 19 inch cars. That is one of the Flying Colonel sets if I remember correctly. Flyer called the tan color Rookie Tan.
I have only seen pictures of the anniversary clock. One of my collecting goals is to own one of them some day.
Its nice to see another Wisconsin person. Stay warm!
Joining TCA has always been one of those things on my “to do” list, but I never seem to get around to it. Wow lots of people with Flyer Pox, scary thought. I will have to go visit the website.
I have this posted on another thread but it illustrates how colorful Flyer was in their Wide Gauge line. The second set from the top has the cars from the Pocahontas set I mentioned earlier. It is actually “The Warrior” set I think. I will have to check the box lable.
I have “forced” myself to stay with AF “S”. I really love the look of the pre-war, and been tempted many times, but I will stay focused. I will stay focused. I will stay focused.
Are you absolutely sure that you can’t be tempted by some beauties like this?
I took this photo at Train Fest in Milwaukee in November (edit: this was November of 2007). This is the largest amount of Standard and Wide Gauge trains that I have seen running in one place. It was a real inspiration. The only problem would be to find a place large enough to set something like this up permanently.
I never thought I would be tempted away from AF “S” either. But it happens.
Crumbling wheels seems to be a very common problem for pre war Flyer. Most of my recent purchases have come from eBay and I have been careful not to purchase something with that kind of a known problem. Because Flyer was mass produced, there are numerous examples available. I have never attempted to do any replacement of the wheels, I guess that will be one of those things that I learn to do in retirement. Hopefully the rest of the wheels on my engines won’t deteriorate by the time a get around to them.
Somehow I think its a losing battle. How can you resist? Come to the Pre War side, you know you want to.
Think of the sound of heavy metal wheels beating against metal track. The rumble of metal cars careening behind a throbbing locomotive. Or the sound of a bell chiming along as an engine like this pulls a consist of Victory Red passenger cars, shining with brass windows and a warm flickering electric light inside each coach, into a lithographed station. Now imagine the lights in the room tuned down low and the glow of the engine headlight shinining along the polished track. The engine rounds a curve and comes directly at you. You are drawn to the light like a moth to the flame.
