Here is The Frontenac Set #1382 From 1930 - 1932
The equipment from this era of Chicago production includes some of my favorite sets.
I am fortunate to have the boxes for this set.
For some reason I didn’t take a photo of the box for the #3107 Midsized Boxcab. But she is a beauty.
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Here is a decent example of the #1432 Sesquicentennial Set:
Here is the #4000 motor:
Here is the 4040 Mail Car:
Here are two pics of the 4041 Pullman named America–except, this example is lettered for Pleasant View on the other side, which, I am given to understand, is a not uncommon factory error:
This set dates from '25 or '26, which means it is just about a century old this year. I do not have the 4122 Mail Bag set packed with the train.
Next, here is a separate observation car that is a year or two later. The litho is a couple shades lighter than the original set–including being lettered Pleasant View–but it has later trucks:
Very nice. From what I have observed it can be very difficult to get a nicely matched set of these cars unless you buy them as a set. I think you will even find that they intermingled these cars directly from the factory.
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Here is the 1927 Wide Gauge Set #1423
The Commander
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No sir believe or not a flea market find! Done lil work and gd as new!!
Another relatively easy set to find is The Potomac Set #1344
This train appeared in the 1928 -1929 catalogues
Flyer used the Potomac name for several trains. In 1928 and 1929 it was
headed by the #3116 St. Paul Style Cab
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This thread is making me think it’s about time I dig out my prewar 3/16" flyer and send it for a spin.
-El
El,
I have a few pieces of prewar 3/16" O in my collection. They represent the transition from Chicago Flyer to Gilbert Flyer.
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Here’s a great running little Flyer engine, a No 4644 (I think–I don’t have the Prewar Wide Gauge Flyer book, and I am going off what I have learned from the two set books I have). This little guy will pull all the freight cars I have without complaint.
He’s been around the oval a time or two, but he is complete, bearing his scars with honor and pride 
Here’s a 4022 lumber car. This guy is kinda rough, but that’s (proto)typical for a flat assigned to carrying huge timbers, isn’t it?
The #4022 1928-1933 is usually known as the machinery car and comes without a load.
The #4023 1934-1936 is known as the Log car and came with the rectangular wood load as yours does. Schuweiler lists a (B) variation that has two 4022 brass plates and two brakewheels. Your car comes with one 4022 and one “Built by American Flyer Lines” brass plates. I think yours might be a variation of the (B) variation, so the wood load is correct.
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palallin,
here is my example of the #4644 1928 - 1933 New Haven Box Cab
There are a number of variations for this model
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Thanks for the info! I like to know as much as I can about my pieces.
I need to get a copy of that book, but, every time I see it for less than a car payment, I get hit with other obligations. Maybe sometime soon: I got my wife a lap dog for our anniversary, so maybe I have made enough credit for a book in return 
Yours looks much better than mine and even has a number plate.
I’ve heard it said that the rarest Flyer pieces are the ones just like another.
I agree with your statement about how rare it is to find identical pieces. I think the theme song for American Flyer prewar equipment should be a take off on a Sesame Street song. “None of these is just like the other.”
BTW the reason I posted my 4644 was just to show a different variation. Not to compare condition. All toys this age have some signs of use and being loved.
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Never thought anything else! I am not in competition with anybody least of all over condition
Every dent or scratch on these trains tells a story. My own childhood trains have stories to tell–over cornfield meets between my electric set and my friend’s clockwork, of Army men battles and artillery barrages (balled up socks), of cars and trucks losing the race at the grade crossing. They are toys, and we played with them. How much more should I expect that of toys twice their age!
I am glad to see the variations and the quirks. That’s why your threads are so interesting to me: I learn from every post! Thank you!
Back at entry #26 I included a catalog page showing The Potomac and The Jeffersonian. Here are some photos of The Jeffersonian that I purchased from the original owner.
Talk about feeling like Christmas morning when I first got the set.
All of the individual boxes were appropriately marked.
On the old Blueboard Central
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Wow you fellas got a lot of neat stuff and I like some of the prewar stuff! Got a steal on a 259e at flea market while back and cleaned it up a lil and runs great! Has the red wheels!
I try to shy away from adding Lionel to my collection but on occasion I add a nice representative piece from the competition. Here is my #259
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