Came across this on Evilbay just now. I really do learn something every day. "1936 issue American Flyer 600 O Gauge 4 rail whistle curve section bBanked roadbed track". I was looking for the thread about banked track from a few days ago, but I'll be ****ed if i can find it.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I think you're looking for THIS post
Spot on, David, thanks.
That's an interesting track design for O gauge track. Seems like the extra rail is for either uncoupling or whistle feature for the engine or tender to use. I have only seen photos of that track, so I don't know how it works, however I think it is pre WW-2 era track or made before 1942.
Lee Fritz
Here's the link to the Ebay sale.
The 4th rail is for whistle control. I've got a set of the track and keep it as a curiosity.
bmoran4 posted:The 4th rail is for whistle control. I've got a set of the track and keep it as a curiosity.
That's interesting to know. At the time it was produced it made it easier for the whistle control to be able to function better is my guess.
Lee Fritz
I'll re-post the information from the other thread:
Flyer 4 rail
Greg
Northwoods Flyer
Greg...I would love to hear more about the 4 rail track from Flyer...this I've never heard of or seen before. Is that for "O" & "Wide" gauges? Thinking that must be pretty rare or maybe just something else I never ran into...
Mark
Did I mention that American Flyer also marketed their 3 rail track on a masonite base for 1 year,
just like their 4 rail whistle track?
And it is also super elevated?
Hang in there Mark. I will post some more information later.
Greg
Northwoods Flyer
This information comes from an entry that I did in a thread that I host on another site.
4 Rail Whistle Track
In 1936 American Flyer marketed an odd looking 4 rail track that was used to activate the whistle in a number of its engines. The reason that Flyer came up with this track is because of the patent that Lionel held for a whistle mounted in their tender. There was a law suit over patent infingement and Flyer lost. This track and the whistle it activated were Flyer's answer to finding a way to have a whistle on board their trains. The base of the track is masonite. The notches in the base are there so that a track clip can be attached to the track.
Page 20 of the 1936 catalog describes the new track and shows pictures. However the track that is shown only has 3 rails, and they are mounted to a roadbed which "makes the train practically noiseless". I have seen examples of this 3 rail track on eBay. NationWideLines has reminded me that the 3 rail track with the masonite base was only available as a seperate sale item in 1936, as the catalog states that it is not included in sets. The 4 rail track is not pictured nor is its function mentioned.
The numbers of the pieces of the New Road-Bed Model Track are:
No. 600 Curve Roadbed Track
No. 601 Straight Roadbed Track
No. 622 1/2 Curve Track
No. 621 1/2 Straight Track
In the 1937 catalog Flyer introduced a new Remote Control Whistle in a billboard on page 3 of the catalog. The whistle is no longer housed in the tender or passenger car, but each set has a small notice in a red box that says "Add the Whiste Unit page 3". Set descriptions indicate that 40" diameter track is included. It appears that Flyer tubular track has changed from 30" diameter to the high speed 40" diameter.
In the seperate sale section for track the No. 600 and No. 601 Roadbed Track are still available for "Whistle trains of 1936".
In the 1938 catalog (which is the first Gilbert American Flyer Catalog) the Roadbed Track is not listed.
Greg
Northwoods Flyer
It was cataloged as Streamliner Track but was only limited to making a oval. I have a City of Denver Streamliner set with the 4 rail track that I inherited from my Uncle.
I have some of the AF Prewar banked track, posted it on here Feb. 15th on another topic concerning banked track. have both curved and straight sections. I found it interesting they also made the half-curve and half-straight sections. The variety and learning potential of this hobby we enjoy never ceases!
Jesse TCA 12-68275
Greg J. Turinetti posted:I'll re-post the information from the other thread:
Flyer 4 rail
Greg
Northwoods Flyer
Greg...I would love to hear more about the 4 rail track from Flyer...this I've never heard of or seen before. Is that for "O" & "Wide" gauges? Thinking that must be pretty rare or maybe just something else I never ran into...
Mark
Did I mention that American Flyer also marketed their 3 rail track on a masonite base for 1 year,
just like their 4 rail whistle track?
And it is also super elevated?
Hang in there Mark. I will post some more information later.
Greg
Northwoods Flyer
This information comes from an entry that I did in a thread that I host on another site.
4 Rail Whistle Track
In 1936 American Flyer marketed an odd looking 4 rail track that was used to activate the whistle in a number of its engines. The reason that Flyer came up with this track is because of the patent that Lionel held for a whistle mounted in their tender. There was a law suit over patent infingement and Flyer lost. This track and the whistle it activated were Flyer's answer to finding a way to have a whistle on board their trains. The base of the track is masonite. The notches in the base are there so that a track clip can be attached to the track.
This 4 rail track comes in straight and curved track and also half curve and half straight. I have a full box of the straights which have a label identifying them as #601.This is not the best photo, but it does show that the track is super-elevated, or banked.In 1936 there were a number of sets that came with the track activated whistle that was housed in a tender or passenger car. It was included in the Union Pacific Streamliner, the Zephyr, the Hiawatha, and the Hudson. Each of the sets that included these engines came with what was called the new 40" Diameter High Speed Model Track.Page 20 of the 1936 catalog describes the new track and shows pictures. However the track that is shown only has 3 rails, and they are mounted to a roadbed which "makes the train practically noiseless". I have seen examples of this 3 rail track on eBay. NationWideLines has reminded me that the 3 rail track with the masonite base was only available as a seperate sale item in 1936, as the catalog states that it is not included in sets. The 4 rail track is not pictured nor is its function mentioned.
The numbers of the pieces of the New Road-Bed Model Track are:
No. 600 Curve Roadbed Track
No. 601 Straight Roadbed Track
No. 622 1/2 Curve Track
No. 621 1/2 Straight Track
In the 1937 catalog Flyer introduced a new Remote Control Whistle in a billboard on page 3 of the catalog. The whistle is no longer housed in the tender or passenger car, but each set has a small notice in a red box that says "Add the Whiste Unit page 3". Set descriptions indicate that 40" diameter track is included. It appears that Flyer tubular track has changed from 30" diameter to the high speed 40" diameter.
In the seperate sale section for track the No. 600 and No. 601 Roadbed Track are still available for "Whistle trains of 1936".
In the 1938 catalog (which is the first Gilbert American Flyer Catalog) the Roadbed Track is not listed.
Greg
Northwoods Flyer
Hi , is the whistle that was used in the billboards in 1937 the same whistle that was used in the sets in 1936 ? If so are they a direct fit ? I have a A/F UP streamliner minus its whistle , other than the mech , do I need to hunt for any other parts , the track is noted of course .
Justin .
You will also need the "Y" sliding pick-up for the tender / car. I have also seen a Lionel DC relay installed to control the whistle without need for the 4 rail track.
I don't know why you call it EVIL bay. Ebay is a wonderful tool.
In over 45 years of collecting trains I have never seen 4 rail track.
Hey Chuck S. do you have an available diagram on how the DC relay is wired in to fire the Flyer whistle with Lionel 3 rail track? I have a whistle car I would like to use
No I don't have a wiring diagram, but the wiring would be the same as a Lionel whistle tender. What specific whistle unit do you have? One from one of the few O gauge engines, or the O gauge baggage car?
One of the vendors at the Billy budd had a bunch of it a couple of years ago. Pretty pricey though
Chuck I will dig it out in the am and let you know. I think it goes with one of my 9900 sets
Chuck it is the car to the 9900 sets
Yes a Lionel relay would work in the car. The power would come from the vestibule power spring. The sliding shoe can be eliminated. It would operate the same way a Lionel whistle would work. I can't give you a specific wiring diagram as I would need it in front of me. However if you would want the conversion done I could do it.
Thanks for the input Chuck
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
I found lots of curve but straights are hard to come by,i will take a few pix later of the ones I just installed