American Flyer 96 / 104 Stations

The above station was cataloged in 1924 only, with new lithography and a lighted 104 station being introduced in 1925.

The above building represents the 104 station, which has an exterior light.  Note that the building lithography changes to have mixed color bricks and a differing brick line at the middle of the door. 

The 1925 catalog appears to show this building with a smooth green roof, and I know that the above version likely dates a bit later, as it has an embossed roof.

The items that change over the years, are the color of the bases, the color of the roofs, and the embossing style of the roofs. 

NWL

Here is a late variation

...and away we go...

1923

   American Flyer introduced the #96 in 1923.  The station does not appear in the main catalog, however, it is illustrated in a black and white supplement which was issued that year.

1923 catalog supplement

  As you can see from NWL’s picture in the previous post, the first lithography is all red brick, no cut station waiting room or baggage doors and a smooth sort of olive green enameled roof.  Also note the litho treatment of the windows – they have a shaded blue for the glass and shades on the two right windows are only pulled part way down.

1924

I don’t have a copy of a 1924 catalog but I do have access to a color copy of a 1924 supplement which has a very small color rendition of the #96 station. The picture suggests the lithography for the #96 station was the same as 1923.

1925

  In 1925 American Flyer changed the red brick lithography to a variegated color brick lithography.  In addition, they also offered a “new” station, #104, which was just #96 with an added external electric light.  The roof remained the same smooth olive color and the station waiting room and baggage doors were uncut.  The other thing that occurred was #96 was downgraded to a footnote in the catalog – “Same as No. 104 but without light”

1925 catalog illustration

1925 #104 Passenger Station

   Note that in addition to the change in brick lithography there is a change in the window treatment as well - the blue is gone and the window shades on the right come all the way down to the half way mark.  Also notice the light fixture - painted green with the reflector surfaces painted white. (Also note - they must have run out of boxes with a sticker label for #104 and slapped a #104 label over the #96 label - the box was in need of some repairs when I got it which explains the cloth tape and the manufactured box lid).

1926

  No change in catalog illustration or text from 1925.

1927

  The catalog illustration for 1927 indicates a couple of changes to the 96/104 station. 

1927 catalog illustration

The first is the indication that the baggage door is cut and bent back to give the suggestion of a partially opened door.  The second item is the roof color.  The catalog illustrates #104 and has it with a smooth dark red enameled roof.  As in 1925/26, #96 is a footnote – however, to the best of my knowledge, it appears American Flyer decided to make an additional distinction between #96 and #104. Specifically, #96 was now sold with a green enameled roof.

1927 #104

  Note that the light itself is still painted green with a white underside reflecting surface.

1927 #96

 Based on what I have seen I think Flyer tried to maintain this distinction in roof color right up to and including the change in lithographic treatment in 1935 which was the last year they cataloged #96.  I also think production line demands occasionally resulted in #104 stations with green roofs and #96 stations with dark red/maroon roofs.

  Another thing to note is the catalog for 1927 gave the price for the two stations - #104 - $2.60 and #96 - $1.25 – over a 100% markup for a light fixture.

1928

  The catalog illustration indicates the baggage door is still cut and bent back and it also suggests the roof is now embossed.  The big news for 1928 is the stations now have the names of two Chicago suburbs – #96 is now Flossmoor and #104 is now Kenilworth.

1928 catalog illustration

  As with so many things Flyer, my observations indicate there were more changes in the station between 1927 and 1928 than indicated in the catalog.  As you can see from the picture – the #96 station box still states Model 96 Passenger station but the station itself now has an embossed roof and the cut door has changed from the baggage to the station waiting room door.

#96 with cut waiting room door and embossed roof

#96 Flossmore (oh yeah!! The Dentist Depot ) with cut station door and embossed roof

I really like the misspelling of Flossmoor on the box.  I don't know how long this error persisted but I do know Flyer eventually got it right.

#96 Flossmoor - gray base 

#104 Kenilworth cut waiting room door and embossed roof

   It is difficult to see in the pictures of the gray based #96 and #104 but the embossing on the roof of these two stations is more elaborate than the embossing you see on most of the waiting room cut door stations.  There is an additional outline around the chimney base which disappeared at some point in the production process. Note the light fixture is now just a plain brass finish on both the outside and the reflective surfaces.

Sorry about the picture below - I clicked on the wrong image and I can't seem to remove it from the post without starting all over

Two quick side notes:

  Chimney Lithography

The chimney lithography changed over the years but I have not been able to determine any kind of pattern.  Sometimes the brick lithography matched the lithographic treatment of the station and other times it was presented as much larger brick.

  Base Color

   Most of the #96 and #104 stations I’ve seen have a light gray enamel finish.  However, as you can see from the pictures above there were other colors. I've seen these stations with bases that, in addition to the standard gray, were blue, tan and yellow. I don’t have any explanation for the color differences.  I do know the first version of the long base #97 freight station has a tan base so perhaps Flyer was thinking about base color changes at some point but that is pure speculation on my part.

Back to the main thought of this thread

 1933

It wasn’t until 1933, when Flyer introduced its #237 Station set, that the catalog got around to illustrating the #96/104 station with a cut station waiting room door. However, the catalog illustration for #104 was the same before.  It is worth noting that in 1933 the #104 (Kenilworth) was now priced at $1.50 and #96 (Flossmoor) at 90 cents.

1933 catalog illustration of station set #237

1935

  The catalog illustration for #104 is the same as before as is the description for #104.  What makes the catalog interesting is the footnote description of #96 – “Same as above but without light or frosted windows”  In the 1935 price sheet and in a 1935 supplement the illustration for the station is the same as before, however, the descriptions now indicate #104 has frosted windows and an interior light whereas #96 has neither.  The 1935 catalog indicates #96 is priced at $1.00 and #104 is priced at $1.50.

1935 - Flossmoor #96

    The #96 above came with its original box. It has the green roof which is in keeping with the roof color coding I mentioned earlier and it also has frosted windows.  The catalog description indicates it wasn't supposed to have these.  I've never seen a late #96 without frosted windows but that doesn't mean there isn't one out there somewhere.

1935 - Kenilworth #104

1936

  American Flyer drops #96, prices #104 at $1.00, still shows the old #104 illustration but has a completely new description for the station – “Has interior light which shines through transparent windows…”  A supplement for that year correctly illustrates the new-for-1935 station lithography which now resembles clapboard and stucco finish. 

1936 supplement illustration

The #104 with the new lithography treatment was cataloged through 1938.

#104 Roof Colors post 1935

 One thing that can be said about the roof colors for the post 1935 #104 is that there must have been a revolt in the roof painting section of the American Flyer works.  The roofs come in smooth enamel red, crackle enamel red, crackle enamel orange, dark green enamel, crackle dark green enamel, and probably some other colors I haven’t seen.  As for chimney colors – you name it and it’s yours – red, green, yellow, orange. One thing I have noticed is a crackle finished chimney always seems to come with a crackle painted roof (the converse is not true).  Each time I've inspected one of these station roofs I get the impression that the chimney and roof were first tabbed together and then the roof/chimney assembly was crackle painted as a unit.  

  For individuals interested in paint variation collection a word of caution: it is very easy to remove the chimneys and trade them around so I wouldn't get too worked up about roof paint/chimney paint combinations - my guess is if you look long enough you will find American Flyer made just about every color combination imaginable for roofs and chimneys for the post 1935 #104.

  It is also worth noting I have seen the post 1935 #104 with dark red/maroon roofs and lithographed brick chimneys - which would be the roof color/chimney treatment for the pre-1935 #104.  Given that Flyer often used remaining old stock components on newer items I don't find this too surprising.

#104 with crackle orange roof and chimney

Oddities and Curiosities

   Like everything else – if there was a goof made in the processing of the station lithography that could be corrected – the correction was made and the station was shipped.

  Below is a station with a side which, after door and windows were punched, was fed into the final cutting press upside down.  As a result, all of its base tabs are where the roof should go.  How do we solve this – easy – we make a little fixture that looks like a doughnut with a stick, punch a hole in station side, insert a rivet, and voilà – we have a tab to use to attach the side to the base (of course we make sure we pair the mis-punched side with other sides that have the tabs in the right location.

Top of station - note tabs and the "doughnut"  fixture at the bottom of the side.

Station side with rivet

Sold as Shopworn

   Flyer had an onsite salesroom where items that had been reworked in some fashion, were what we might call “seconds”, or were perhaps items that were used were sold.  This station is one of those items. I can’t decide if it was used, some kind of leftover after the change was made to the newer lithography, a mistake with respect to failing to punch the side for the light fixture, or what.  Whatever the case – it was sold as shopworn and is so indicated on the bottom.

Shopworn #96?

Station underside

The only prewar Flyer station I own is the 102 with a red base, a green roof and red chimneys, and those wonderful large brass doors. The two exterior lights are fitted with round white globes, which I believe is correct?

Robert S. Butler,

Great post.  I knew that you had studied these stations and had several more variations than I had.  After further consultation of my catalogs and dealer's price lists, I see that the February 1923 dealer's price list indicates the 96, 97, and 98 stations being offered.  The only image and description of the 98 station in the 1923 catalog is in the image/description of the factory made layout that is offered.  However, I note in the Horace Wade supplement the stations are listed.  

Here are some photos of unusual variations to supplement your description above. 

  a 104 station, with orange base (note the bottom of the base is gray).  Not sure as to the reason for the orange base, as this is the only one I have seen.

A 104 station with green base.  I have seen at least 1 other of these stations.  Base is green on top and bottom.

Station set with early station

Station set with late station and green base

Station set with late building and red base

Oddity

NWL

Here is another variation of the 104 station.  Note the Gilbert decal on the base.  This item came in its original box with the Gilbert label on it.  

NWL

Wow guys, what a great rundown on this station type.  I am thinking that mine, pictures in the prior thread for "very small stations" has the varigated brick lithography that appeared in 1925, a cut open "waiting room door" which started in 1928 and this litho / door combination with a green embossed roof lasted until 1935.  So my station was produced between 1928 and 1935.  It does have a Yellow base. 

Great post NWL  /  Robert S. Butler...thank you for all the information.  One point of clarification.  You mention that in 1928 the stations received names:  Flossmore and Kennilworth.  Did those names appear on the station anywhere?  I checked mine and neither of those names appears in the lithography on the building. Would they have appeared on roof signs?

Don McErlean

Don McErlean posted:

 

One point of clarification.  You mention that in 1928 the stations received names:  Flossmore and Kennilworth.  Did those names appear on the station anywhere?  I checked mine and neither of those names appears in the lithography on the building. Would they have appeared on roof signs?

Don McErlean

Don,

Those names never appeared on these stations, only on the boxes and in the catalogs.

NWL

Of course there are always the factory errors

Side A

Side B

So what is wrong with this 96 station?

The 96 station above features the same lithography front and back, with the center door punched open on one side and no punch-out on the other side.  It should have different lithographs on the front versus the back, one with a single door and the other with two doors (similar to the front and back of this station).

I have also seen a couple of 237 station sets that use the #90 passenger station instead of the small freight station.  My guess is that these were produced at the end of the run and they were short on the small freight stations. 

NWL

This isn't the best picture (I'll have to pull this station out and upgrade the photograph) but it is the #237 set with the #90 passenger station.  Also notice the semaphore - it is hard to tell from the camera angle but it is the much simpler blade version and it does not have the metal arm for manual operation.

Robert S. Butler posted:

This isn't the best picture (I'll have to pull this station out and upgrade the photograph) but it is the #237 set with the #90 passenger station.  Also notice the semaphore - it is hard to tell from the camera angle but it is the much simpler blade version and it does not have the metal arm for manual operation.

 

 

Yes, I was aware of the differing semaphore blade, I forgot to mention it.  

I simply have not found one of these in good condition, so I do not have one.

NWL

NWL: Thank you for the clarification on the names. Most appreciated 

Regards

Don McErlean 

A modest addition to the thread ..

A late No. 237 with a green crackle roof and red base (similar to Robert's) in crispy condition 'in place' with figures along with the an image of the end of the box it came in. The semaphore has no kid-powered actuator rod. 

Have fun. Keep safe.

Bob

Would our resident Flyer experts kindly comment on the very nice AF 102 stations and their variations if any? THANK YOU, gentlemen!

Tinplate Art posted:

Would our resident Flyer experts kindly comment on the very nice AF 102 stations and their variations if any? THANK YOU, gentlemen!

Will post in a separate thread.

NWL

OK guys...the E-Bay express came today and brought me what I am about 98% certain is my second station in this series.  To me it appears to be a No. 104 from 1935-1938 with the clapboard and stucco outside finish and the frosted translucent windows.  It seems to be identical to the one pictured in Robert S. Butler's post near the beginning of this thread.  It seems it was  designed to be illuminated by the factory as the wires to the bulb socket are terminated under the base with manufactured terminals and the wire passage out the front of the base is carefully made with a round edge rivet to protect the wire insulation as the wires pass through the edge of the platform. (mine even came with a "free" red Christmas bulb of the old conical pointed and embossed bulb pattern).  

At first I was a bit mystified because this station seems to carry absolutely no identification as to its manufacturer, country of origin, or model number.  Yet it matches the picture in Roberts post exactly.  In addition, I measured the platform and the house and the roof including height etc and the dimensions are exactly the same as my No 96.  It has the classic Flyer embossed roof  in red with a green chimney that is just a plain color, not brick patterned.  My base is grey like that pictured by Robert. 

I wondered why American Flyer would produce a station without even its name on the product.  Then when I more carefully read NWL's post above under the section titled variations or oddities I noticed his description of a station just like mine where NWL commented on the Gilbert decal on the base.  My current suspicion is that mine may have had such a decal and it was either taken off or worn off over the intervening 70+ years.  The only reason that I ranked my ID at 98% above is because the station does lack any identifying marks or labels at the moment.  I hope that  NWL and Robert can confirm my ID.

By the way guys, I do have 2 interesting little stations by a company called J. Chein that I will post in the regular tinplate section.  They are tiny and very cheaply made.  J. Chein & Co manufactured tin toys from 1903 into the 1980's. These would have been made sometime in the 1920's.   Despite the oriental sounding name, the founder Julius Chein started in a loft in NY City making premiums for "Cracker Jacks".  In 1907 Julius moved his factory to Harrison, New Jersey.  The town where My Mother, Father, and I all worked for the Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation in the 60's.  My Dad for over 50 years and for me it was the site of my first mechanical engineering job after College. Although these stations won't show it, IMHO Chein's skill at multi-color complex lithography was rivaled in the US only by Marx  (P.S. I used to collect tin toys!).

Best Regards

Don McErlean

Don McErlean posted:

OK guys...the E-Bay express came today and brought me what I am about 98% certain is my second station in this series.  To me it appears to be a No. 104 from 1935-1938 with the clapboard and stucco outside finish and the frosted translucent windows.  It seems to be identical to the one pictured in Robert S. Butler's post near the beginning of this thread.  It seems it was  designed to be illuminated by the factory as the wires to the bulb socket are terminated under the base with manufactured terminals and the wire passage out the front of the base is carefully made with a round edge rivet to protect the wire insulation as the wires pass through the edge of the platform. (mine even came with a "free" red Christmas bulb of the old conical pointed and embossed bulb pattern).  

At first I was a bit mystified because this station seems to carry absolutely no identification as to its manufacturer, country of origin, or model number.  Yet it matches the picture in Roberts post exactly.  In addition, I measured the platform and the house and the roof including height etc and the dimensions are exactly the same as my No 96.  It has the classic Flyer embossed roof  in red with a green chimney that is just a plain color, not brick patterned.  My base is grey like that pictured by Robert. 

I wondered why American Flyer would produce a station without even its name on the product.  Then when I more carefully read NWL's post above under the section titled variations or oddities I noticed his description of a station just like mine where NWL commented on the Gilbert decal on the base.  My current suspicion is that mine may have had such a decal and it was either taken off or worn off over the intervening 70+ years.  The only reason that I ranked my ID at 98% above is because the station does lack any identifying marks or labels at the moment.  I hope that  NWL and Robert can confirm my ID.

 

 

By the way guys, I do have 2 interesting little stations by a company called J. Chein that I will post in the regular tinplate section.  They are tiny and very cheaply made.  J. Chein & Co manufactured tin toys from 1903 into the 1980's. These would have been made sometime in the 1920's.   Despite the oriental sounding name, the founder Julius Chein started in a loft in NY City making premiums for "Cracker Jacks".  In 1907 Julius moved his factory to Harrison, New Jersey.  The town where My Mother, Father, and I all worked for the Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation in the 60's.  My Dad for over 50 years and for me it was the site of my first mechanical engineering job after College. Although these stations won't show it, IMHO Chein's skill at multi-color complex lithography was rivaled in the US only by Marx  (P.S. I used to collect tin toys!).

Best Regards

Don McErlean

Don,

I doubt that your station had a Gilbert decal on it.  95% of these stations with this litho pattern simply have no identifying labels on them.  I posted the photo of the one with the Gilbert decal because it is unusual.  

NWL

NWL thanks for that info.  I was just trying to rationalize the fact that the station had no identifying marks.  However IAW your post above that stations with this litho pattern rarely have any ID on them, I feel much better in calling it a Flyer No 104.  I hope you would agree.

Don

Don, either way works.  Over the years I've seen the 96/104 stations identified either by their names or by their numeric designations.  You will also see the pre 1935 #104 identified as a #96 simply because that is what the lithographic treatment says on one of the station ends...and that means if you are actually looking for an earlier version of the #104 using a search engine you should use both names and numbers.

...Back to NWL's oddball #96.  I had to smile when I saw the picture.  I have one like it only it has a maroon roof. Counting NWL's station that makes 5 of these stations I've seen over the years (I didn't pay a lot of attention to roof color but if memory serves me correctly I think NWL's is the first of these I've seen with a green roof).  

One side

The Other side

...and the view from the other end of the station

    I can't tell from NWL's pictures but I do know the others I've seen like this had, like mine, the appropriate ends on the station.  If his has the correct ends then, given the count - small to be sure - there is the possibility that, instead of being an assembly error, they represent another one of those cases where Flyer found some old inventory and just sent it down to the assembly line.  The reason for offering this as a possible alternative to the idea of an error on the production line is that the cut waiting room door was the final iteration of this station side whereas the uncut side corresponds to the earlier builds.  

Robert,

My station does indeed have the correct ends on it.  I cannot tell from your roof, but mine has the extra embossing around the chimney as well.

NWL

Robert :  thank you for your response.  You know, sometimes as collectors we forget that these guys were trying to make a profit and not a collection.  They often marketed what they thought would sell and certainly gave little thought to whether or not they were confusing folks like us almost a century later !

NWL, my station has the extra embossing around the chimney too but it is not nearly as crisp or deep as on some of my other stations.