American Flyer 9900

I have one that I inherited from my dad.  It runs fine on regular Lionel O gauge track and I also run it on GarGraves.

Not sure if you are aware, but there are different versions of the American Flyer Zephyr.

There is the tin version and the aluminum version.  I assume you are more interested in the aluminum version and there are 2 different versions of engines for the aluminum version.

The early version of the engine is shorter and narrower than the late version.  The early version has a manual reverse lever underneath, that is not accessible when the train is on the track. 

The later version has a wider body at the nose, is longer, and has a baggage door on each side that opens.  This version has auto reverse.

The earlier version of the engine could come with either 2 or 3 cars and the later version always came with 4 cars.  The cars are typically a baggage car, 1 or 2 coaches, and an observation car.

The 1936 version only, comes with a whistle in the baggage car and requires special 4 rail track to activate the whistle.

NWL

That is rock solid advice gentlemen.  I will look for a later version with 4 cars.  Adding examples of non-Lionel trains sounds like something I should do for my layout.  Anyone have a A.F. 9900 for sale?  Would anyone else like to recommend another O31 streamliner?

Bill

I have two 9900 streamliners, both aluminum.  One is the 3 unit manual reverse version, in it's original boxes + set box, paperwork, transformer and a 1935  or 37 catalog.  The other is a 5 unit with an automatic reverse.  Love them both!

George,  are they good runners?  Currently I am limited to O31 curves.

Bill

As my interests in the hobby evolved, I developed a fondness / obsession for prewar articulated passenger sets.  Pricing, access to parts, and availability have pushed me in the direction of tinplate.  Moreover, in the interest of problem-free operation, I run these on dedicated loops that are free of switches as my skill set for modifying equipment is limited.  All will run on O gauge track, subject to the caveats listed.  My roster includes:

- (3) Marx M10000 sets, 1934-37 (olive & tan; green & cream; and, red & silver), tin litho            

- (2) Marx M10005 sets, late 30s - early 50s (orange, green & cream and red, blue & silver with post war 2-wheel motor), tin litho

- (1) Lionel “Junior” 1700E set, mid 30s (red & chrome)

Note: The above six sets were designed for O27 profile track and, in my experience, run better on 027 than on O gauge track.  Additionally, prewar Marx (Joyline-type) wheels will not negotiate Lionel switches.

- (1) American Flyer “Minnehaha” set, 1936, tin litho

- (1) American Flyer “The Comet” set, mid 30s, tin litho

- (1) American Flyer “Green Diamond” set, mid 30s

Note:  “The Comet” and “Minnehaha” sets were low-end Flyer sets.  The “Green Diamond” set, while designed without the “vestibules” that characterize the better sets of the period, is fully lighted and is similar in quality to the aluminum 9900.  All of my Flyer sets run well on traditional O gauge track.

Bill, like you, I am always looking for additional information regarding my trains.  Perhaps my post will lead to responses from members better qualified than myself regarding operating sets of this type.

Both my sets are excellent runners, but I have the reverse unit locked out on the larger of the two sets.  It is very touchy.  I used to own a Western Coil and Electric Zephyr.  I sold it to another forum member.